How to save form data and then re-populate on "submit"

[mbrittb00]

I have seen this done on various websites so I know it can be done. I have a php file that contains a form with several data entry fields and a section where the results of calculations based on that input data are displayed. What I would like to have happen is when the user clicks the "submit" button on the form php file is redisplayed but with the entry data that was supplied still there (not the default value).

 

I have actually been able to accomplish this by making a !isset($_COOKIES[]) and setcookies calls for each of the form fields, then have the form 'submit' execute a different php file that sets the COOKIES from the form POST data, then redirects back to the origional php file. The problem with this is that I have will have to have an !isset block for each of the form fields then in the alternate file, I will have to have another set of setcookies calles. This very tedious, and I'm sure there is a better way.

 

The websites I have found that do this, when I look at the source code (initially before any form entries are made) lists the value of the form fields as "" (i.e. value=""). Then after entering data and clicking submit, that same source code lists the values as the the data that was entered (i.e. value="100"). The form is set to execute a a different php file called cookies.php (action="cookies.php"). Unfortunately I am not able to see the source code for the cookies.php file, so I don't know what is going on there.

 

Any assistance would be appreciated.

[iPixel]

Can we get an example of these websites to get a much clearer picture of how you need this to work?

[smerny]

i think what you mean is something like this?

 

<form method="POST" action="<?php echo $_SERVER['php_self'] ?>">
<input type="text" name="name" value="<?php echo $_POST['name'] ?> " />
<input type="submit" value="submit" name="submit" />
</form>

[mbrittb00]

Here is a site that is an example.  You can look at the source code before an after submitting data.

 

http://www.glacialis.uuuq.com/calculator.php

[smerny]

that's done the same way as what i posted

[mbrittb00]

Ok thanks.  I just realized that when you "View Page Source"  all the php code is 'executed' and replaced by the result.  Thanks.

[smerny]

yep, the browser only receives the information you send it (ie: "echo", "print", or stuff outside of php tags)

[aeroswat]

That's not a one size fits all. It doesn't work for anything but textboxes and textareas I believe

[mbrittb00]

It seems to be working but the <?php echo $_SERVER['php_self'] ?> call is returning an empty string (at least as far as HTML is concerned.

[aeroswat]

It seems to be working but the <?php echo $_SERVER['php_self'] ?> call is returning an empty string (at least as far as HTML is concerned.

 

what version of php are u running?

[premiso]

PHP is CaSe SenSitIvE:

 

<?php echo $_SERVER['PHP_SELF']; ?>

 

Would be the proper way to call that variable.

[Philip]

echo $_SERVER['PHP_SELF']; // note uppercase 

That should almost always work (unless you're running like before 4.3 - even so you really need to update your software )

 

Also, a blank action in a form defaults to the page it is on.