[SOLVED] need refresher on form checkboxes with value going to mysql db

[simcoweb]

I have a rather simple form that has several fields using checkboxes. I've set the code up in 'groups' with the field names set up as arrays like this:

 

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" id="table3">
        <tr>
          <td class="revform" style="border-right:1px dotted #A1634A; border-bottom:1px dotted #A1634A; padding:3px; " valign="top">
          <input type="checkbox" name="time_horizon[]" value="1 to 3 years">1 to 3 years</td>
          <td class="revform" style="border-right:1px dotted #A1634A; border-bottom:1px dotted #A1634A; padding:3px; " valign="top">
          <input type="checkbox" name="time_horizon[]" value="3 to 5 years">3 to 5 years</td>
          <td class="revform" style="border-right:1px dotted #A1634A; border-bottom:1px dotted #A1634A; padding:3px; " valign="top">
          <input type="checkbox" name="time_horizon[]" value="5 to 10 years">5 to 10 years</td>
          <td class="revform" style="border-bottom:1px dotted #A1634A; padding:3px; " valign="top">
          <input type="checkbox" name="time_horizon[]" value="10 years or more">10 years or more</td>
        </tr>
      </table>

 

My recollection tells me to name the fields common names and use the [] array attribute at the end of them which i've done. Then i'm using regular variable settings to retrieve the data like this:

 

$objective = $_POST['name'];
  $time_horizon = $_POST['time_horizon'];
  $expected_return = $_POST['expected_return'];
  $pre_tax = $_POST['pre_tax'];
  $willingness = $_POST['willingness'];
  $performance = $_POST['performance'];
  $situations = $_POST['situations'];

 

Then inserting the results into a mysql database. But, all I get inserted is the word 'Array' instead of the value checked. Anyone?

[metrostars]

I think you should probably rename the checkbox to time_horizon without the square brackets.

[per1os]

My recollection tells me to name the fields common names and use the [] array attribute at the end of them which i've done. Then i'm using regular variable settings to retrieve the data like this:

 

Your recollection would be correct if you wanted the person to select 1 or more checkboxes. It seems to be as though you only want them to select one. As metrostars pointed out rename it to time_horizon and it should work. Also you may want to witch to radio buttons if that is the case, I am not sure if renaming the fields all the same will allow for multiple checks or not, but I know with radio buttons naming them all the same will allow the user to only choose one.

 

[simcoweb]

Hmmm... well, that worked. And, i've done tons of forms without the brackets before. But, if you Google a search for a checkbox tutorial you see they all use the array brackets. It makes sense to use 'em but obviously the results were not coming through properly.

 

frost, I may go ahead and do that... switch to radio buttons...to avoid confusion. quick fix so no problems on that. Thanks!

 

ok, i'll consider this one solved

[elkidogz]

How would you get it to insert multiple check boxes? because i have basically the same thing going on, but I can't seem to figure out how to get the checkbox values to insert using a for loop

[simcoweb]

Insert..you mean insert into a database? You wouldn't need a 'for' loop to do that.

[elkidogz]

<?php
foreach ($_POST['PICTURES'] as $row=>$PICTURES)
{
      $pictures = mysql_real_escape_string($row);
      $persons = $_POST['persons'];
      mysql_query('INSERT INTO relations (relPics, person) VALUES ($pictures, $persons)') or die(mysql_error());

}
?>

 

basically what i have is a list of pictures with check boxes, I want those check boxes if selected to insert into a table with the "persons" variable. the code above is what i basically have where the check box is the PICTURES. the form names the variable as PICTURES and the value should be passed if it's been checked and only if it's been checked correct? this then forms an array, i thought this handled the array.

[simcoweb]

Post the code for your form so I can take a look

[elkidogz]

the form generates it's values from two tables:

 

persons are generated here:

 

$result = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM persons");
$output="<tr>";
while($row = mysql_fetch_array($result))
{
        $counter = $counter + 1;
        $output .="<!-- START ROW FOR Radio " .$row['name']."--> ";
        $output .="        <td width=10 id=left10 align=left valign=top >".$counter.". ";
        $output .="        </td>";
        $output .="        <td width=120 id=middle align=left valign=top >";
        $output .="        <input type=radio name=PERSONS value=".$row['name']." >".$row['name'];
        $output .="        </td>";
        $output .="        <td width=10 id=right10 valign=top ></td>";
        $output .="<!-- END ROW FOR Radio " .$row['Name']."--> ";
              if ( $counter % 1 == 0 )
              {
                     $output .= "</tr><tr>";
              }
}
$output .="</tr>";
// open the file
$fhandle = fopen( "FormParts/personsBullets.php", "w" );
// write the contents of the $output variable to the file
fwrite( $fhandle, $output );

 

and pictures (the checkboxes) are generated here:

 

$result = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM pictures");
$output="<tr>";
while($row = mysql_fetch_array($result))
{
        $counter = $counter + 1;
        $output .="<!--START ROW FOR checkbox " .$row['fileName']." --> ";
        $output .="        <td width=10 id=left10 align=left ><!--".$counter."--><br></td>";
        $output .="        <td width=120 id=middle align=center valign=top >";
        $output .="        <a href=".$fileURL."".$row['fileName']." ><img src=".$fileURL."THUMBS/".$row['fileName']." ></a><br>";
        $output .="        <input type=checkbox name=PICTURES value=".$row['fileName']." />".$row[picTitle];
        $output .="        </td>";
        $output .="        <td width=10 id=right10  ><br></td>";
        $output .="<!-- END ROW FOR checkbox " .$row['fileName']." -->";
              if ( $counter % 4 == 0 )
              {
                     $output .= "</tr><tr>";
              }
}
$output .="</tr>";
// open the file
$fhandle = fopen( "FormParts/pictureCheckBoxes.php", "w" );
// write the contents of the $output variable to the file
fwrite( $fhandle, $output );
// close the file
fclose( $fhandle );
include('FormParts/pictureCheckBoxes.php');

 

Form is this simple:

 

<form id="makerelation" action="makerelation.php" method="POST">
<fieldset>
<legend>Relate pictures and person</legend>
<table id="makerelations" border="0" colspan="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" align="left">

<tr>
      <td align="left">
      Choose a person
      </td>
      <td width="5"><br>
      </td>
      <td align="left">
      Pick the Pictures that include the person you chose.
      </td>
</tr>
      <td align="left" valign="top">
            <table id="persons" width="140" border="0" colspan="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" align="left">
            <tbody valign="top">
                  <?php include('makerb4allpeople.php'); ?>
            </tbody>
            </table> <!-- persons -->
      </td>
      <td width="5"><br>
      </td>
      <td align="left">
            <table id="pictures" border="1" colspan="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" align="left">
                  <?php include('makecb4allpictures.php'); ?>
            </table> <!-- pictures -->
      </td>
</tr>
<tr>
      <td colspan="3" align="center">
           <input type="submit" value="submit" name="Submit" />
           <input type="reset" value="reset" name="Reset" />
      </td>
</tr>

 

 

Form handler

 

foreach ($_POST['PICTURES'] as $row=>$PICTURES)
{
      $pictures = mysql_real_escape_string($row);
      $persons = $_POST['persons'];
      mysql_query('INSERT INTO relations (relPics, person) VALUES ($pictures, $persons)') or die(mysql_error());
      echo $pictures." ".$persons;
}

[simcoweb]

This line in your form output is missing a double quote and period to close out your value:

 

$output .="        <input type=checkbox name=PICTURES value=".$row['fileName']." />".$row[picTitle];

 

should be:

 

$output .="        <input type=checkbox name=PICTURES value=".$row['fileName']." />".$row[picTitle].";

[elkidogz]

HMMM yeah that's not really a problem, the output from the form is fine, it's the processing of the insert that i'm having issues with. getting the variables from checkboxes into the database.

 

should have a listing like this

 

person a radio

person b radio

person c radio

...

 

pic A Checkbox title Value = file1.jpg

pic B Checkbox title Value = file2.jpg

pic C Checkbox title Value = file3.jpg

...

 

if i select pic B and pic C with radio a

 

radio a relates to pic B, pic C

 

it should be doing an insert for each B and C with person A