What's a good way for users to enter text in a forum?

[ethan6]

Like this text box I'm writing in right now-- what should I use for users on my website to enter text on a forum on my website?

 

I'm writing in PHP, and my database is in SQL.

 

Thank you

[trq]

A textarea?

[ethan6]

Well see that's what I have, but then when I go to output the data that is saved in my database, any odd characters get all messed up.. or when they're entering data, if the user enters an ' (apostrophy) for example, it gives an error.

[trq]

That is simply caused by not escaping special characters properly when you insert data into your queries. All user inputted data should go through mysql_real_escape_string before entering your database queries.

[ethan6]

ok thanks.

 

how about formatting of the data that they enter?  When i output it, i'd like it to preserve their paragraphs etc.

[Alex]

For converting line breaks to html breaks use nl2br

[ethan6]

ok i see how the nl2br() converts \n to <br> , but what if my users just push return and don't enter code in?  is there a way i can get a WYSIWYG editor so the people entering it don't have to enter code?

 

thanks!

[greatstar00]

then search on internet for wysiwyg, there are pretty much sample out there

http://code.google.com/p/jwysiwyg/downloads/list

[ethan6]

ok thanks.. i'm working with the jWYSIWYG one,. but just wondering how i add a "submit" button?

thanks

[trq]

ok i see how the nl2br() converts \n to <br> , but what if my users just push return and don't enter code in?

 

If a user hits enter it will be stored within the database as a newline. When you display this data on a page, running it through nl2br will covert the newlines to <br /> tags.

 

i'm working with the jWYSIWYG one,. but just wondering how i add a "submit" button?

 

That would have nothing to do with php and more to do with reading the manual of whatever WYSIWYG editor you are using.