Best way to store in DB

[hostfreak]

I've got a form that consists of multiple rows of the same input (each unique however). What I am wondering is what would be the best way to store the information in a database. Like make a new row for each one, or separate the information in a single row somehow? Sometimes however, not all fields will be needed. So if I do separate it in the DB, I will need to figure out how to not input the separate(er) mark in the DB. Attached is an example of the form.

Also, I know this next question isn't php related, but am hoping someone might be able to answer. As you can see on the form, some of the inputs consists of a price. I want to be able to use ajax/javascript to be able to total them live, but am not sure how. So some advice on that would be appreciated. I found an example of how to do that (http://www.ajaxify.com/run/sum/live/) however it doesn't include the server side coding. Thanks in advanced.


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[craygo]

if each one is relevent then you would need to store them seperate, But with a key to link them together so they can then be added later. For instance, you can have 20 dollar amounts in the table but have a groupid(or something like that) the same for all of them. that way when you query them you will get what you need.

As far as the live addition part I have something which will total that for you. It is Javascript. First you should design your database and tables so you can store your information.

Ray

[hostfreak]

Alright, So each with there own row, but with a unique group id. As it is now, since each has an individual input field, I have a lot of inputs. For example, for Commercial Labor, I will name the field c_labor. Then when storing it:
[code]
        $c_labor_row1_1 = $_POST['c_labor1_0'];
        $c_labor_row1_2 = $_POST['c_labor1_1'];
        $c_labor_row1_3 = $_POST['c_labor1_2'];
        $c_labor_row1_4 = $_POST['c_labor1_3'];
        $c_labor_row1_5 = $_POST['c_labor1_4'];
        $c_labor_row1_6 = $_POST['c_labor1_5'];
        $c_labor_row2_1 = $_POST['c_labor2_0'];
        $c_labor_row2_2 = $_POST['c_labor2_1'];
        $c_labor_row2_3 = $_POST['c_labor2_2'];
        $c_labor_row2_4 = $_POST['c_labor2_3'];
        $c_labor_row2_5 = $_POST['c_labor2_4'];
        $c_labor_row2_6 = $_POST['c_labor2_5'];
        $c_labor_row3_1 = $_POST['c_labor3_0'];
        $c_labor_row3_2 = $_POST['c_labor3_1'];
        $c_labor_row3_3 = $_POST['c_labor3_2'];
        $c_labor_row3_4 = $_POST['c_labor3_3'];
        $c_labor_row3_5 = $_POST['c_labor3_4'];
        $c_labor_row3_6 = $_POST['c_labor3_5'];
        $c_labor_row4_1 = $_POST['c_labor4_0'];
        $c_labor_row4_2 = $_POST['c_labor4_1'];
        $c_labor_row4_3 = $_POST['c_labor4_2'];
        $c_labor_row4_4 = $_POST['c_labor4_3'];
        $c_labor_row4_5 = $_POST['c_labor4_4'];
        $c_labor_row4_6 = $_POST['c_labor4_5'];
        $c_labor_row5_1 = $_POST['c_labor5_0'];
        $c_labor_row5_2 = $_POST['c_labor5_1'];
        $c_labor_row5_3 = $_POST['c_labor5_2'];
        $c_labor_row5_4 = $_POST['c_labor5_3'];
        $c_labor_row5_5 = $_POST['c_labor5_4'];
        $c_labor_row5_6 = $_POST['c_labor5_5'];
        $c_labor_row6_1 = $_POST['c_labor6_0'];
        $c_labor_row6_2 = $_POST['c_labor6_1'];
        $c_labor_row6_3 = $_POST['c_labor6_2'];
        $c_labor_row6_4 = $_POST['c_labor6_3'];
        $c_labor_row6_5 = $_POST['c_labor6_4'];
        $c_labor_row6_6 = $_POST['c_labor6_5'];
        $c_labor_row7_1 = $_POST['c_labor7_0'];
        $c_labor_row7_2 = $_POST['c_labor7_1'];
        $c_labor_row7_3 = $_POST['c_labor7_2'];
        $c_labor_row7_4 = $_POST['c_labor7_3'];
        $c_labor_row7_5 = $_POST['c_labor7_4'];
        $c_labor_row7_6 = $_POST['c_labor7_5'];
        $c_labor_row8_1 = $_POST['c_labor8_0'];
        $c_labor_row8_2 = $_POST['c_labor8_1'];
        $c_labor_row8_3 = $_POST['c_labor8_2'];
        $c_labor_row8_4 = $_POST['c_labor8_3'];
        $c_labor_row8_5 = $_POST['c_labor8_4'];
        $c_labor_row8_6 = $_POST['c_labor8_5'];
[/code]

Which seems the only way to do it, but too much work. Maybe I should just make a single input for each row? The last column is for change, hence two digits.

[hostfreak]

Not sure if my last post is making sense? What I mean is that each column, for example Commercial Labor, I store each input. So instead of doing a new row, as of now, I am separating each input for commercial labor. So the first input would be $c_labor_row1_1 (the last number represents the position in the column). Then separting it in the database like: "-" separates the column ($c_labor_row1_1-$c_labor_row1_2 ... etc) and "|" separates the row ($c_labor_row1_1|$c_labor_row2_1 ... etc). However, now I am thinking instead of making an input for each individual row and column, I should make an input for each row. Then in the database I would have the following (only using Commercial Labor as an example):

c_labor_row1
c_labor_row2
etc

Is that the best way to go?

[hostfreak]

craygo, I think I have got the database designed how I want it. When you get a chance, please let me know more about the live addition option. Thanks.