$_POST exists problem

[dadamssg87]

i'm trying to check if a checkbox should be checked or not. I want the box to be checked on initial page load. And then after the form is submitted check whether or not the user had it check it or not and get it to remember. Oh and i have the checkbox's value to be "yes" but i've learned the $_POST value for this input doesn't even exist if the user submits the form without the box checked. This loads the form initially with it unchecked(not what i want) but it does remember what the user inputted if there is an error in the form, unchecked or checked so thats good.

 

<?php
    if(isset($_POST['length']) && $_POST['length'] == "yes") 
    {
    	$values['length'] = TRUE;
    }
	elseif(!isset($_POST['length']))
	{
		$values['length'] = FALSE;
	}
    else
    {
		$values['length'] = TRUE;
    }
?>

[EdwinPaul]

A checkbox doesn't exist in the array $_POST if it isn't checked. If it is checked, it has value 1.

Print your array:

echo '<pre>';
print_r($_POST);
echo '</pre>';

[Psycho]

If it is checked, it has value 1.

 

Um, no, it has the value that you set in the "value" attribute of the input tag.

[Pikachu2000]

If it's checked, it should have the value in the value= attribute.

[dadamssg87]

so basically the value you set for it is worthless in php? You can't compare it to anything to make decisions?

[EdwinPaul]

Okay, I stand corrected. It gets the value of your value= attribute.

If you want it initially to be checked, add  checked="checked" to your checkbox.

[dadamssg87]

yeah but it will remain checked if the user unchecks it and theres an error and the form gets redisplayed...

[Pikachu2000]

If I've understood what you're trying to achieve, here's a way that would work for you.

 

<input type="checkbox" name="my_checkbox" value="Yes" <?php echo ( isset($_POST['my_checkbox']) && $_POST['my_checkbox'] == 'Yes' ) ||  strtolower($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD']) !== 'post' ? 'checked="checked"' : ''; ?>>

[dadamssg87]

thanks for attempt but didn't work. It loaded with it checked, great, but if i check it and submit the form and theres an error and the form gets redisplayed it gets unchecked

[dadamssg87]

i lied...you got it! thanks. I just had to change the 'Yes' to "yes".