Splitting checkbox values into table name and value, then inserting using php mysql

hlcornish

I have a form that looks like this:

<form method="post" action="<?php $_Server['PHPSELF'] ?>">
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(ADAbox)" id="ADA">ADA</input><br><div id="ADAbox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" ><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_ada-1">is ADA</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_ada-2">Not ADA</input><br></div><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(Backlessbox)" id="Backless">Backless</input><br><div id="Backlessbox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" ><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_backless-1">is Backless</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_backless-2">Not Backless</input><br></div><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(Indoorbox)" id="Indoor">Indoor</input><br><div id="Indoorbox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" ><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_indoor-1">Yes</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_indoor-2">No</input><br></div><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(Materialbox)" id="Material">Material</input><br><div id="Materialbox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" ><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-1">Coated Steel</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-2">Aluminum</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-3">Concrete</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-4">Resin</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-5">Recycled Plastic</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-6">Wood/Steel</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-7">Vinyl Wicker</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-8">Vinyl Strap</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-9">Fiberglass</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-10">Faux Stone</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-11">Stone</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-12">Resin Wicker</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-13">Polyurethane</input><br></div><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(NoSeatsbox)" id="No Seats">No Seats</input><br><div id="NoSeatsbox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" ><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_noseats-1">1</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_noseats-2">2</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_noseats-3">3</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_noseats-4">4</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_noseats-5">5</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_noseats-6">6</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_noseats-7">8</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_noseats-8">10</input><br></div><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(Outdoorbox)" id="Outdoor">Outdoor</input><br><div id="Outdoorbox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" ><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_outdoor-1">Yes</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_outdoor-2">No</input><br></div><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(Portablebox)" id="Portable">Portable</input><br><div id="Portablebox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" ><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_portable-1">Yes</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_portable-2">No</input><br></div><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(Shapebox)" id="Shape">Shape</input><br><div id="Shapebox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" ><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_shape-1">Round</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_shape-2">Square</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_shape-3">Rectangle</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_shape-4">Octaganal</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_shape-5">Oval</input><br></div><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(Sizebox)" id="Size">Size</input><br><div id="Sizebox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" ><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-1">4' Length</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-2">5' Length</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-3">6' Length</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-4">7' Length</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-5">8' Length</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-6">10' Length</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-7">12' Length</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-8">15' Length</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-9">4' Diameter</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-10">4' Square</input><br></div><input name="submit" type="submit" value="check"/>
</form>

So when you check the boxes, output looks something like this:

$gen = array('generic_opt_shape-3','generic_opt_material-6','generic_opt_material-7','generic_opt_size-5', 'generic_opt_size-8');

I need to split all the submitted values into two parts, the table name (ex. generic_opt_shape) and the value (ex. 3) and insert them into fields in a connecting table that has columns named by the table name and table (for instance generic_opt_shape.ID, which gets a boolean value(yes or 1 if any values for that table are selected), and generic_opt_shape_val, which gets the value or values inserted).

For example, the above output would write the following to the connecting table:
Field: generic_opt_shape.ID Insert: 1
Field: generic_opt_shape_val Insert: 3
Field: generic_opt_material.ID Insert: 1
Field: generic_opt_material_val Insert: 6,7
Field: generic_opt_size.ID Insert: 1
Field: generic_opt_size_val Insert: 5,8

How do I split those values and correctly insert them? I was adding the tablename into the field to that I could use it somehow in the query (?) to reference where the values needed to go, since the fieldnames reference the tables.

Really running into a wall here. I would love to know if there is a way to make this work, or a better way to do this at all.
Thanks!

johanafm

If you want anyone to look at your code, remove anything which isn't necessary, and then format the code so that it's readable. First and foremost, indent your code properly. Almost as important, get syntax highlightin by using the proper bbtags: php for php code and html for html code.

hlcornish

If you want anyone to look at your code, remove anything which isn't necessary, and then format the code so that it's readable. First and foremost, indent your code properly. Almost as important, get syntax highlightin by using the proper bbtags: php for php code and html for html code.

Excuse me. Lets try it again.

<form method="post" action="[code=php]<?php $_Server['PHPSELF'] ?>

<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="hidden(Backlessbox)" id="Backless">Backless</input><br>

<div id="Backlessbox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" >
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_backless-1">is Backless</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_backless-2">Not Backless</input><br></div>

<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(Indoorbox)" id="Indoor">Indoor</input><br>

<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(Materialbox)" id="Material">Material</input><br>

<div id="Materialbox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" >
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-1">Coated Steel</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-2">Aluminum</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-3">Concrete</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-4">Resin</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-5">Recycled Plastic</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-6">Wood/Steel</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-7">Vinyl Wicker</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-8">Vinyl Strap</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-9">Fiberglass</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-10">Faux Stone</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-11">Stone</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-12">Resin Wicker</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_material-13">Polyurethane</input><br></div>

<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(NoSeatsbox)" id="No Seats">No Seats</input><br>

<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(Outdoorbox)" id="Outdoor">Outdoor</input><br>

<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(Portablebox)" id="Portable">Portable</input><br>

<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(Shapebox)" id="Shape">Shape</input><br>

<div id="Shapebox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" >
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_shape-1">Round</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_shape-2">Square</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_shape-3">Rectangle</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_shape-4">Octaganal</input><br><input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_shape-5">Oval</input><br></div>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" onClick="
hidden(Sizebox)" id="Size">Size</input><br>

<div id="Sizebox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" >
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-1">4' Length</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-2">5' Length</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-3">6' Length</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-4">7' Length</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-5">8' Length</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-6">10' Length</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-7">12' Length</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-8">15' Length</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-9">4' Diameter</input><br>
<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_size-10">4' Square</input><br></div>

<input name="submit" type="submit" value="check"/>
</form>[/code]

As you can see, the form has a main checkbox (which is a category of options), then within a div there are the sub-choices that we are actually pulling the values from. The main category checkbox is purely organizational.

So, if I receive the value of a set of choices after the form result is posted, as follows:

<?php  $gen = $_POST['gen']; ?>

Then the resulting array looks something like this:

<?php $gen = array('generic_opt_shape-3','generic_opt_material-6','generic_opt_material-7','generic_opt_size-5', 'generic_opt_size-8'); ?>

So, then we come back the problem from before:

I need to split all the submitted values into two parts, the table name (ex. generic_opt_shape) and the value (ex. 3) and insert them into fields in a connecting table that has columns named by the table name and table (for instance generic_opt_shape.ID, which gets a boolean value(yes or 1 if any values for that table are selected), and generic_opt_shape_val, which gets the value or values inserted).

For example, the above output would write the following to the connecting table:
Field: generic_opt_shape.ID Insert: 1
Field: generic_opt_shape_val Insert: 3
Field: generic_opt_material.ID Insert: 1
Field: generic_opt_material_val Insert: 6,7
Field: generic_opt_size.ID Insert: 1
Field: generic_opt_size_val Insert: 5,8

How do I split those values and correctly insert them? I was adding the tablename into the field to that I could use it somehow in the query (?) to reference where the values needed to go, since the fieldnames reference the tables.

Thanks.

johanafm

hlcornish;10987076 wrote:

<div id="ADAbox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" >
	<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="generic_opt_ada-1">is ADA</input><br>
	<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_ada-2">Not ADA</input><br>
</div>

<div id="Backlessbox" style="display:none;background: #CCDDDA;" >
	<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_backless-1">is Backless</input><br>
	<input type="checkbox" valign = "top" width = "120px" name="gen[]" value="
generic_opt_backless-2">Not Backless</input><br>
</div>

First off, I'd recommend changing the names so that they group things together logically, and then set their values to their actual values. I.e. the checkboxes in the first div above would get name="generic_opt_ada[]" and value="1", value="2" respectively.
The second div would contain name="generic_opt_backless", and so on.

Server side you would instead if anything within a particular group is checked or not, and base your queries on this.

# One or more ada options where checked
if (isset($_GET['generic_opt_ada']))
{

}
# One or more backless options where checked
if (isset($_GET['generic_opt_backless']))
{

}

Finally, you should not insert , separated values for these reasons. You put these several values in a separate table, linked to the first by the first table's primary key or other unique identifier.

You may still keep all generic options in one table, which would then have the value linking it to whatever table the values used to be in, which I'm calling parent_id for lack of knowledge of what that table contains, an id of its own, a type to store 'backless', 'ada' etc, and the value.