[SOLVED] Form Data

[zenix]

Hello, I have been working hard this past year trying to learn php and mysql. I've even developed my own little database of contacts. Anyway, I thought it'd be neat (if possible) to have a textarea on the page my data form is on to display the first, last names and phone numbers of the contacts in the db, then have it so all I have to do is scroll through the list and click the one I'd like to have displayed in my form.. I don't know how to do this. My database works great, I just thought this could facilitate a little more learning...and it would be a nice addition.

 

If anyone has any idea on how I might achieve this I'd really appreciate it if you'd let me know. Thanks!!

[lemmin]

Here is a tutorial on how to use PHP with MySQL:

 

http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/phpmysql/

[zenix]

I appreciate your input, thank you. My problem isn't the database...I have THAT working quite well. I would just like to see if I can have the names and maybe phone number of the contacts displayed in a text box so I can click on one and have all the information (address, phone, email etc...) appear in the form.

[lemmin]

Page four of that tutorial should explain how to output the data:

 

http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/phpmysql/4

[zenix]

Thank you again, I'd actually like to know how to make it so I can click on an entry in the text box and have the fields populate with the associated data. I'd probably more of an AJAX or Javascript issue I guess. I was just hoping to be able to do it with php.

[cags]

PHP is a server side scripting language and cannot effect anything client side. Ajax is basically a technique that allows JavaScript to communicate with PHP to sort of fake a true synchronous communication. You will not be able to do it without using Ajax unless your ok with submitting a form everytime you wish to change the page. You wouldn't really want to design it in a way that would have you clicking in a textbox, you'd really want either a search box you type in or a dropdown box.

[zenix]

Just curious, why wouldn't I want it in a text box rather than a drop down box? Just curious, very new to programming. Thanks!

[cags]

A textbox should really be used for inputing or editing text. If you wanna display text, just use plain text. If you wanted a list of items to select from and a dropdown box isn't the look your after you could have a list of anchor links (<a hrefs) or whatever. Either way, symanically or asthetically a textbox really isn't a good way to have a menu per-se.