universal form

[nate51]

I am working on something right now and I am not sure if it's even possible. I was wondering if someone can help me out on this?

I have 1 form page and I want to make an option (drop down list) that when the user chooses an option from the drop down it changes the outcome of the submit.

My idea is as follows.

When someone selects an option from the drop down it changes the link on the submit button i.e. (if the drop down option b02 is selected, then when the user hits the submit button it uses php page b02.php. And the same for b04 = b04.php, b05 = b05.php.

Is this possbile? If so can anyone point me in the right direction?

Please and Thanks.

-- Nate

[Jas]

I think it would be easier to have a hidden input that you can change the value of. Then, when the form is proccess, it can redirect them. Or, you could include all of the possibilities in one php page, then process the form.

if(isset($_POST['hidden_input'])){
    $hidden = $_POST['hidden_input'];
    switch($hidden){
        case 'b01':
          //do something
       break;
        case 'b02':
          //do something
       break;
    }
} 

The JS would be something like:

function changehidden(thevalue){
    document.form.hidden_input.value = thevalue;
}
<select name="dropbox" onchange="changehidden(form.dropbox.options[selectedIndex].value)">
     <option value="b01">b01</option>
     <option value="b02">b02</option>
</select>

(I think, but it's been a while since I've done something like that. If it doesn't work, let me know.)

Edit: wrong js code, fixed I think

[nate51]

Jas

The reason I was thinking of using different php pages is when someone submits the form I have a webmaster recieve an html email designed like a card that displays the persons name, address, email, etc.

But the email the webmaster gets has a code on the botom right of the card that represents the persons selection from the drop down.

I was thinking of hidden fields but am kind of new to that aspect and not sure how to do it. But if that would be easier I would prefer to do that.

I hope my explanation makes sense.

-- Nate

[Jas]

I am a little lost. I still think the way shown in my last post would work, unless I don't understand it. (I also fixed the code, cause it was wrong ).

if(isset($_POST['hidden_input'])){ 
    $hidden = $_POST['hidden_input']; 
    switch($hidden){ 
        case 'b01': 
          // PAGE b01.php's contens can go here, or you can use:
          //header("Location: ./b01.php");
          // to redirect or
          // include('./b01.php');
          // to pull in the files contents
       break; 
        case 'b02': 
          //do something 
       break; 
    } 
} 

Basically, the hidden input is a hidden input that the user cannot see or manipulate as they can with other input types. But, via JS, you can change the value according to their selection on the dropbox. See the JS code on my post above.

[nate51]

Hey Jas,

This might be asking a bit much but the code you used, is it possible to see a demo? I am still learning parts of this and I am not sure where to drop the php code on the page.

If not an example like a tutorial page to figure it out a bit better?

[Jas]

Sure. Give me a second to make one for you. I won't be able to test it right now, so there *may* be an error. If there is, just let me know. I'll post it in a little bit.

[Jas]

Okay, try running this:

<?php

//has the form been submitted?
if(isset($_POST['submit'])){

    //set the var $hidden equal to the value of the hidden field
    $hidden = $_POST['hidden_input'];

    //start up a switch statement to check $hidden
    switch($hidden){

        //if the value of $hidden is b01
        case 'b01':
            echo 'This is form process 1';
        break;

        //if the value of $hidden is b02
        case 'b01':
            echo 'This is form process 2';
        break;

        //none of the other options worked
       default:
            echo 'There was an error processing the form';
       break;

    }//end switch
}//endif

?>

<script>
function changehidden(thevalue){
    document.form[0].hidden_input.value = thevalue;
}
</script>

<form method="post" action="">

    <input type="hidden" name="hidden_input" />

   <select name="dropbox"
        onchange="changehidden(form[0].dropbox.options[selectedIndex].value)">
     <option value="b01">b01</option>
     <option value="b02">b02</option>
   </select>

    <input type="submit">
</form>

Tell me what it does. I am worried about the Javascript part. . . I think it will work, though.

You can replace echo "This is form process #" with whatever you want the form to do.

[nate51]

Yeah...

Is there a tutorial page for this? Because I am lost.

[Jas]

We all get lost at some point-- I'm experiencing that feeling with Linux right now.

Anyway, let what do you want to know specifically, and I'll do my best to explain it. There is no tutorial for this particular subject-- not that I know of, at least. I'm not sure what level your at as a coder, so you'll have to let me know what you need help on. I can find tutorials for you on different aspect of this, if you need me to.

BTW: Did you get the script to run? It might help you see what's happening. Paste the code into a file named "something.php" and put it on a PHP enabled server, if you haven't already.

[nate51]

Hey Jas,

I pasted the php code in Dreamweaver and got the drop down part in visuals but for the code aspect I am just confused with...

echo 'This is form process 2';

I am not sure what to place in there.

I can paste the code I am using right now on the pages if that helps with implementing it. I will have to get to it in a few hours though.

-- Nate