[SOLVED] saving an array into database but only non-null values

[BandonRandon]

Hello,

 

I've been using php for a while but always been scared of arrays and loops. Well now I'm at the point were I need to learn to use them and that they will make my life easier. I currently have a form set up that has an array of text fields to allow the user to upload multiple catagories. I then loop the posted data into the mysql the only problem is that if a feild in the array was left blank I get a blank row in the SQL table.

 

Here is the code in the form:

<td class="add_categories forTableBgRight">
                <input name="add_cat[]" type="text" /><br/>
                <input name="add_cat[]" type="text" /><br/>
                <input name="add_cat[]" type="text" /><br/>
                </td>
                </tr>

 

and here is the sql statement:

//check if first catagories is empty

if(empty($catagories[0])){
        echo "Please add at least one Catagory.";
         }
else {
foreach($catagories as $value)
{
$q = "INSERT INTO " . CAT_TABLE  . "(cat_name) VALUES ('$value')";
$result = mysql_query($q);
}

 

Thanks,

Brooke

 

[thepip3r]

... 

 

foreach($catagories as $value)
{
  if ($value !== "") {
   $q = "INSERT INTO " . CAT_TABLE  . "(cat_name) VALUES ('$value')";
   $result = mysql_query($q);
  }
}

[BandonRandon]

Thanks, I knew it was something simple like that. I've used the if != "" before just didn't think of it here. Also this won't work if someone enters just a space into the category field. But as far as basic error checking it should be fine.

 

Could i add a trim($values) to remove just blank spaces? 

[thepip3r]

yes...trim $value before the conditional and that will protect u from the issue u just presented.

[BandonRandon]

Thanks again thepip3r!

 

Sometimes it's the simple things we over look and just need reassurance that they'll work.  It now seems to be working fine. I have marked this resolved!