[SOLVED] help in validating ssn

[rsammy]

i am working on a patient application for a doc. i am working on a module where when i enter a patient info, the system first generates a 13 digit patient number - starting with the character 'P' and followed by 12 numerics - for this newly entered patient. i then have to update the patients info - name, address, contact info, ssn, etc. on another screen.

now, before i update the patient info (or even while i am doing it) i need to store this system generated patient # along with the newly entered valid ssn in a new table - just for the record. the table that has the patient info is pat_info. and i want to maintain a history of patient #s created and overwritten in another table called temp_pat_ssn_history table.

i can do this if i can differentiate between these two patient #s (temp 13 digit ssn and valid ssn). now, how do i differentiate the temporary, system generated pat # in php? in javascript i remember there is a length funtion. how do i do this in php though?

any help with be greatly appreciated. thanx in advance

[makeshift_theory]

str_len($variable) will output the string's length.  Go to php.net and then type in search "str" and you will see all of the known str function that are default to php.

[rsammy]

thanx a lot friend. it worked. appreciate ur help ;D

[makeshift_theory]

No problem, make sure you use the "solved" option now!  ;)