Re: form variable name question

Stig Bakken wrote: > > On Thu, 3 Jun 1999, Monte Ohrt wrote: > > > Hello, > > > > This is a question regarding form variables of the same name. According > > to the documentation, the variable must have "[]" at the end of its name > > in order for it to be interpreted as an array. > > > > example: > > > > <INPUT type=hidden name=user_ids value="123"> > > <INPUT type=hidden name=user_ids value="456"> > > <INPUT type=hidden name=user_ids value="789"> > > > > (returns last value) > > > > <INPUT type=hidden name=user_ids[] value="123"> > > <INPUT type=hidden name=user_ids[] value="456"> > > <INPUT type=hidden name=user_ids[] value="789"> > > > > (returns array of values) > > > > This seems to work fine, except when you try using javascript with these > > variable names. Depending on what you are trying to do, javascript can > > come up with syntax errors with "[]" in the variable name, and there > > isn't an easy way around it. > > Here's a Javascript workaround (untested code, but you get the idea): > > var myElements = new Array(); > for (var i = 0; i < document.myForm.elements.lenght; i++) { > myElements[document.myForm.elements[i].name] = > document.myForm.elements[i]; > } > > > I'm just wondering, why was the decision made to require "[]" in the > > variable name to return as an array? Is there an issue where PHP cannot > > determine the variable type on its own? I don't see a good reason for > > this limitation. If you want the last value, then the sensible solution > > would be to grab it off the end of the returned array after the form is > > submitted. > > Do not underestimate "historical reasons". :-) > > However, I suppose PHP could detect that you are getting the same variable > more than once and turn its PHP representation into an array, but I'm not > sure if this will raise compatibility issues. Controlled by yet another > configuration directive it would be feasible. > > - Stig A default setting in the .ini file would be a great idea. ;) Monte