Problem Using Data From Forms
Posted: 24. August 2012 16:49First, I am a beginner and I apologize if I have posted this question to the wrong forum. I would appreciate any guidance on finding a more appropriate forum to post to. I also apologize for the length of this post.
I am trying to learn PHP. My goal is to create a site that allows users to enter data into forms so that I can insert that data into a MySql database. But for now I would settle for being able to accept the user data and return a message to the user with PHP.
-I have installed XAMPP for Windows version 1.8.0 using the installer. (But note that I had all the same problem discussed below with the prior version installed).
-The Control Panel Version of XAMPP is v.3.0.12
-The XAMPP control panel says that I am running with administrator rights. I have to hold down shift and control to make this happen when I open XAMPP
-I did not check the services boxes when I installed XAMPP.
-I have Windows 7, but I get the same results (which I describe below) on a Windows XP machine.
-I tried turning off Windows Firewall and my Security Program but it didn't make any difference.
Following is an example that illustrates my problem using a very simple HTML file and a very simple PHP file.
First, the HTML code:
<html>
<head>
<title=ID Form>
</head>
<body>
Please fill out the form below:
<!--I just want to enter some integers into the text box-->
<br />
<br />
<form action= "IdForm2.php" method="POST">
Id Number:
<input type="text" name="idvar"/>
<br />
<br />
<input type="submit" value="Submit Form"/> <input type="reset" value="Reset Form"/></p>
</form>
</body>
</html>
Next, the PHP code:
<?php
echo 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy';
echo '<br><br>';
//I just want to capture the input to the form and then print it out
$Z = $_POST["idvar"];
echo $Z;
echo "<br><br>Rinse and Repeat";
?>
And here is the output that I get:
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
Notice: Undefined index: idvar in C:\xampp\htdocs\practice\IdForm2.php on line 8
Rinse and Repeat
I still get this result when I substitute REQUEST for POST in both files.
I did a Google search for prior instances of this problem. I tried a couple of the suggested solutions. One thing that I did was to insert the following code:
if (isset($_POST['idvar'])) {
echo $_POST['idvar'];
} else {
echo 'The variable idvar is not set';
}
The result is that I get the message stating that the idvar is not set.
I can understand the idea that I can't use a variable that is not set. But that doesn't really help, because my whole purpose for learning this stuff is, as I mentioned, to send user entered data to a database.
Please note that I've just given a simple example of my problem. I get the same undefined index error with other code using forms. So maybe I need to know how to set variables?
I sent this code to my instructor at Big State University, and it runs fine on his machine with an old version of XAMPP installed. By runs fine, I mean that in place of the undefined index error it returns the integer that was submitted in the form. He has no idea why I am having this problem. This is not a degree seeking program and I am free to seek outside help.
I thank you in advance for any guidance you might be able to provide.
I am trying to learn PHP. My goal is to create a site that allows users to enter data into forms so that I can insert that data into a MySql database. But for now I would settle for being able to accept the user data and return a message to the user with PHP.
-I have installed XAMPP for Windows version 1.8.0 using the installer. (But note that I had all the same problem discussed below with the prior version installed).
-The Control Panel Version of XAMPP is v.3.0.12
-The XAMPP control panel says that I am running with administrator rights. I have to hold down shift and control to make this happen when I open XAMPP
-I did not check the services boxes when I installed XAMPP.
-I have Windows 7, but I get the same results (which I describe below) on a Windows XP machine.
-I tried turning off Windows Firewall and my Security Program but it didn't make any difference.
Following is an example that illustrates my problem using a very simple HTML file and a very simple PHP file.
First, the HTML code:
<html>
<head>
<title=ID Form>
</head>
<body>
Please fill out the form below:
<!--I just want to enter some integers into the text box-->
<br />
<br />
<form action= "IdForm2.php" method="POST">
Id Number:
<input type="text" name="idvar"/>
<br />
<br />
<input type="submit" value="Submit Form"/> <input type="reset" value="Reset Form"/></p>
</form>
</body>
</html>
Next, the PHP code:
<?php
echo 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy';
echo '<br><br>';
//I just want to capture the input to the form and then print it out
$Z = $_POST["idvar"];
echo $Z;
echo "<br><br>Rinse and Repeat";
?>
And here is the output that I get:
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
Notice: Undefined index: idvar in C:\xampp\htdocs\practice\IdForm2.php on line 8
Rinse and Repeat
I still get this result when I substitute REQUEST for POST in both files.
I did a Google search for prior instances of this problem. I tried a couple of the suggested solutions. One thing that I did was to insert the following code:
if (isset($_POST['idvar'])) {
echo $_POST['idvar'];
} else {
echo 'The variable idvar is not set';
}
The result is that I get the message stating that the idvar is not set.
I can understand the idea that I can't use a variable that is not set. But that doesn't really help, because my whole purpose for learning this stuff is, as I mentioned, to send user entered data to a database.
Please note that I've just given a simple example of my problem. I get the same undefined index error with other code using forms. So maybe I need to know how to set variables?
I sent this code to my instructor at Big State University, and it runs fine on his machine with an old version of XAMPP installed. By runs fine, I mean that in place of the undefined index error it returns the integer that was submitted in the form. He has no idea why I am having this problem. This is not a degree seeking program and I am free to seek outside help.
I thank you in advance for any guidance you might be able to provide.