How Do You Carry Form Data?

[jonmkim]

I'm trying to create a form that will let users select a list of devices from a dropdown menu and then print the selection back on the page.  After selecting and submitting that one device, the user should then have the option to select another device and add it to their growing list of added devices.

For example, someone should be able to select "Battery," hit "Add device" and then be brought back to the page.  Now, above the dropdown menu it will read, "Battery."  They should be able to continue adding devices which will all be listed above the dropdown menu.

 

Here is my code:

 

            <form name="new_reservation" action="<?=$PHP_SELF?>" method="GET">

            <b>Make a New Reservation</b>

        <li style="list-style-type:none;">

 

    <?php

                    if (isset($_GET)) {

                        // echo "Data has been posted.";

                        $added = $_GET['add_device'];

echo $added;

echo "</li><li style='list-style-type:none;'>";

                    }

                    ?>

                       

                    <select name="add_device">

                    <option value="">Select a device</option>

                    <option value="battery">Battery</option>

                    <option value="card reader">Card Reader</option>

                    <option value="ethernet cable">Ethernet Cable</option>

                    <option value="extension cord">Extension Cord</option>

                    <option value="Firewire cable">Firewire Cable</option>

                    <option value="keyboard">Keyboard</option>

                    <option value="laptop">Laptop</option>

                    <option value="mouse">Mouse</option>

                    <option value="power strip">Power Strip</option>

                    <option value="projector">Projector</option>

                    <option value="speakers">Speakers</option>

                    <option value="USB (mini size)">USB (Mini Size)</option>

                    <option value="USB (standard size)">USB (Standard Size)</option>

                    <option value="VGA Video Cable">Video Cable - VGA</option>

                    <option value="VGA to DVI Video Cable">Video Cable - VGA to DVI</option>

                    <option value="VGA to Mini DVI">Video Cable - VGA to Mini DVI</option>

                    <option value="wacom tablet">Wacom Tablet</option>

                   

                    </select>

                 

                <input name="submit" type="submit" value="+ Add device"></input>

                <input type="hidden" value="<?=$added?>">

                </li>

 

[GingerRobot]

Wouldn't it be much simpler (for both you and for the user) to add a multiple parameter?

 

http://www.w3schools.com/TAGS/tag_select.asp

[jonmkim]

Wouldn't it be much simpler (for both you and for the user) to add a multiple parameter?

 

http://www.w3schools.com/TAGS/tag_select.asp

 

I would prefer to not do it that way because it would clutter the page.  In addition, we're doing this for people who still call in to make reservations because they can hardly understand their computer.  Ctrl + click probably won't sit well with them.

 

I'm speculating whether I should just create a temp table in the database to store the devices that the user adds, but I think that'd be even more complicated.  No?

[teynon]

You should look into using javascript. The way you mentioned is slightly ineffective. http://www.mattkruse.com/javascript/selectbox/ has some good javascript examples

[jonmkim]

You should look into using javascript. The way you mentioned is slightly ineffective. http://www.mattkruse.com/javascript/selectbox/ has some good javascript examples

 

Thanks teynon.  I'll give it a shot and see what happens.

[bothwell]

http://www.mattkruse.com/javascript/selectbox/ has some good javascript examples

 

Man, I am so glad you posted that link. This is a great site!