Input structure lost on output

[EchoFool]

I have a problem with my textarea processing. Say a user creates a list in the text area to post in the forum.. like this:

 

1) test

2) test

3) test

 

 

 

when it is echo'd out in the forums it comes out like:

1) test 2) test 3) test

 

which is not the correct format... how do i maintain the layout structure of the user's input when php is submitting it to the database?

[rhodesa]

If it's just new lines, you can use the nl2br() function. If you want to maintain all spacing, try wrapping it in <pre></pre> tags.

[EchoFool]

So do i do that when i get the value from the form like:

 

$Message = mysql_real_escape_string(nl2br($_POST['Messagge']));

 

And then also on echo'n do the same thing?

 

[rhodesa]

Do it once, either on storing it into the DB or while echoing it. My personal preference is to do it on echo.