Retaining selected values

[phatgreenbuds]

This was originally posted in the javascript forum and it was suggested this is more of a PHP issue so here I am.

 

I am just starting down this path of javascript, seeing where I can enhance a php/mysql page with it. One thing I see right off is the ability to have pages appear to update dynamically without the need to use a submit button.  My plan is to try and create a branching form that depending on what options are selected in one section a resultant set of options will appear accordingly in subsequent sections.

 

I have been playing with this little bit of code that I found and have a few questions...

 

<form action="./tester.php" method="GET">
<div align="center"">
  <select name="state" onchange="this.form.submit();">
    <option>Choose One To Submit This Form</option>
    <option value="CA">CA</option>
    <option value="TX">TX</option>
  </select>
</div>
</form>

<?php 

$test = $_GET['state'];
//echo $test;

if ($test == "CA") {
   echo "Ughhh another Liberal";
//this is the first branch where one set of options will appear
} else {
   if ($test == "TX") {
      echo "You Selected Texas...You ROCK!";
//this is the alternate branch where another set of options will appear
      }
   }
?>

 

This works so far and I admit I do not fully understand it yet but the fog is lifting.  I'm curious how would I prevent the dropdown from resetting and instead change it to reflect the selected option? And as I start to branch this form further out for more options what would be the best way to preserve the previous selections. I know that somehow I have to change the <option> tag to show "selected" just not sure how to do so.

[Masna]

<form action="./tester.php" method="GET">
<div align="center">
  <select name="state" onchange="this.form.submit();">
    <option>Choose One To Submit This Form</option>
    <option value="CA"<?PHP echo ($_GET['state'] == "CA")?" selected=\"selected\"":NULL; ?>>CA</option>
    <option value="TX"<?PHP echo ($_GET['state'] == "TX")?" selected=\"selected\"":NULL; ?>>TX</option>
  </select>
</div>
</form>

 

On a side note, there's usually no such thing as an "align" property. Try...

 

<div style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">CONTENT</div>

[phatgreenbuds]

ahhhhh so if I were to take it one step further I could change

 

<option value="CA"<?PHP echo ($_GET['state'] == "CA")?" selected=\"selected\"":NULL; ?>>CA</option>

 

to something like this and simplify the whole thing for say 100 different options

 

<option value="CA"<?PHP echo ($_GET['state'] == $_POST['state'])?" selected=\"selected\"":NULL; ?>>CA</option>

 

Or am I still not getting it? Gonna try and see what happens.  BTW thanks for the "align" correction...

[phatgreenbuds]

Actually that did not work as I am sure you knew it wouldn't but hey this is my process for learning. You gave me a good start and now with some hacking away at it I am sure I will figure it out. Thanks for the help.