Neater Code?

[MySQL_Narb]

I have a field in my database called long_name (tinytext), what would be considered the neater code?

 

(the below codes represent the value of what it will be when entered into the database)

isset($_POST['long_name']) ? $_POST['long_name'] : ''

 

or

 

$_POST['long_name']

 

Is it really necessary, if the field from a form is empty, you should replace the null with ''

 

Thanks.

[requinix]

If you're simply talking about whether the field has a value and not about whether the form was submitted, the isset() stuff is partially redundant but mostly useless: $_POST['long_name'] will be an empty string already and thus isset() will always return true.

[cyberRobot]

$_POST['long_name'] will be an empty string already and thus isset() will always return true.

 

 

That depends. If "long_name" comes from a checkbox or radio button, for example, the POST variable may not be set.

 

If the page is ever called without the form submission, the POST variables won't be set.

[requinix]

That depends. If "long_name" comes from a checkbox or radio button, for example, the POST variable may not be set.

I was going with the assumption that since the field is a TINYTEXT that it would contain text. Thus a textbox or textarea.

[Psycho]

Personally, I don't think the DB type has any bearing on the question. It all depends on "how" the POST value is to be used.

 

Personally, I use an isset check before referencing ANY POST values. I may have the same backend code that works with different inputs. So, if the value is not included in the POST data I will set to false or an empty string - again based upon how I will use the value in the code later.

 

$long_name = isset($_POST['long_name']) ? $_POST['long_name'] : '';