Post form same page, define variables.

[tgeorge06]

what I am trying to accomplish is for the user to select the state they wish, hit submit. At this point another form should show asking which county based on the state they picked, then hit search.

 

At this point, I'm having an issue having the state variable being passed to the 2nd form also having the state they selected stay selected.

 

<?php
$default = "Step 1. Pick Your State";
$select = "<option name='statebox'>$default</option>";
  echo "<br/><form method='POST' action=".$_SERVER['PHP_SELF']." >";
  		echo "<select name='search'>";
	echo "$select";
	///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
	//Connect to the database
	include_once 'phpforms/connect.php';

	$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM states");
	while($row = mysql_fetch_array($sql)){
	$state = $row['states'];
		echo "<option name='statebox'>$state</option>";
	}//End While
	///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
        echo "</select>";
        echo "<input align='left' type='submit' name='stateboxbutton' value='Ok'> ";
  echo "</form>";
  
	echo "</td>";
    	echo "<td>";

if(isset($_POST['stateboxbutton'])){
$statesearch = $_POST['statebox'];
$selected = $_POST['statebox'];
$select = "<option name='statebox'>$selected</option>";

  echo "<br/><form action='../search-results.php' method='POST'>";
  		echo "<select name='search'>";
		echo "<option name='default'>Step 2. Pick Your County</option>";

	///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
	//Connect to the database
	include_once 'phpforms/connect.php';
	$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM counties WHERE state LIKE '$statesearch'");
	while($row = mysql_fetch_array($sql)){
	$co = $row['counties'];
            echo "<option name='county'>$co</option>";
	}//End While
	///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

        echo "</select>";
        echo "<input align='left' type='submit' name='button' value='Search'> ";
  echo "</form>";

}else{
}//End Else
  	
?>

 

[wildteen88]

When using drop down lists you only give the <select> tag a name. But for each <option> you'll assign their value. Example dropdown list

<form action="" method="post">
<select name="list_name">
   <option value="option1">Option One</option>
   <option value="option2">Option Two</option>
   <option value="option3">Option Three</option>
</select>
<input type="submit" name="submit" value="Submit" />
</form>

Notice how each option has a unique value assigned.

Now when the form is submitted $_POST['list_name'] will contain the selected value.

 

So to correct your code, change

		while($row = mysql_fetch_array($sql)){
	$state = $row['states'];
		echo "<option name='statebox'>$state</option>";
	}//End While

To

		while($row = mysql_fetch_array($sql)){
	$state = $row['states'];
		echo "<option value=\"$state\">$state</option>";
	}//End While

 

Next change $statesearch = $_POST['statebox']; to $statesearch = $_POST['search'];

The next two lines can be remove, they are not necessary.

	$selected = $_POST['statebox'];
$select = "<option name='statebox'>$selected</option>";

 

On your second form you'll want to pass the selected state as a hidden value

        echo "</select>";
        echo "<input type='hidden' name='statesearch' value='$statesearch'> ";
        echo "<input align='left' type='submit' name='button' value='Search'> ";

[tgeorge06]

Made all of your changes, works great thanks!

 

One question, I'd like to understand why you used the slashes

echo "<option value=\"$state\">$state</option>";

 

And one more thing, How do I retain the state I selected in the first dropdown after the submit button has been pressed?

[wildteen88]

I used the backslash for escaping the (double) quote

echo "<option value=\"$state\">$state</option>";

If you remove the slash PHP will report a syntax error, due the string being defined prematurely.

[tgeorge06]

oh ok, i usually just use single quotes... should i \" from now on?

[wildteen88]

There is no right or wrong way. Its down to personal preference really. I'm just used to wrapping HTML attribute values within double quotes.

[tgeorge06]

Ok, thanks for the help...any idea how to keep the selected state in the first dropdown box/form after pressing the submit button?

[wildteen88]

Sure, Change the states while loop to

		while($row = mysql_fetch_array($sql))
	{
	    $state = $row['states'];
	    $selected = (isset($_POST['search']) && $_POST['search'] == $state) ? ' selected="selected"' : '';
		echo "<option value=\"$state\"$selected>$state</option>";
	}//End While

[tgeorge06]

as simple as that.... one day, one day i will help others as you have helped me.

 

phpfreaks recommended is right =)

 

Marking as solved. Thank you for your time!