drop down

[Kathy]

I'm veryvery used to PHP, but am wondering if it would be better to do this in Javascript? I'm trying to populate a drop down with a database table called categories and a field called Category, after selecting a category from this drop down, I'd like it to select another drop down from a table called clients and a field called CoName, after picking a company I'd like the company's contact details to be displayed in a way? Any suggestions?

[haku]

Rather than either/or, you will want to use both. You need to do it in php, because some users will not have javascript enabled, and you cut them off if you don't have a php fallback. But adding this functionality in javascript makes for a nicer user experience. So I recommend building it in php, then adding the javascript after the fact. (This is called unobtrusive javascripting by the way).

[Kathy]

Okay, I've done the following:

<?
// Connect database

$link = mysql_connect("host","login","pass");
mysql_select_db("dbname", $link);

$query = "select Category FROM categories"; 
$results = mysql_query($query, $link) or die("Error performing query"); 

if(mysql_num_rows($results) > 0){ 

		echo("<select name=\"Category\">"); 
while($row = mysql_fetch_object($results)){ 
echo("<option value=\"$row->record_id\">$row->Category</option>"); 
} 
echo("</select>"); 
} 


	?>

I would now like to be able to populate another drop down based on the selection of the above drop down from a table called clients and a field name called coName, I'd appreciate ANY help, thanks!

[napsternapster]

you need to $_get[value] made and then use that value to search information you need in your database.

[haku]

I agree, though I generally prefer $_POST values over $_GET values, as it's a little harder for someone to play with the values.