PHP How do I pass form data to my PHP program?

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The discussion revolves around passing form data to a PHP program using jQuery. The original poster is attempting to send user input from a text field to a PHP script via a URL query string. Initial attempts using the jQuery load method were unsuccessful due to incorrect variable referencing. A key suggestion was to modify the jQuery code to correctly access the input value, either by using `document.getElementsByName('keywords')[0].value` or by assigning an ID to the input field and using jQuery's `$("input#keywords").val()`. After implementing these changes, the poster successfully passed the data to the PHP script, resolving the issue. The conversation highlights the importance of correctly referencing input values in JavaScript and jQuery for effective data handling in web applications.
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I am working on a simple example of trying to pass form data to my php program.

I am not sure how to pass the variable that holds the data the user enters.

Here's what I've tried. (note, it only looks right in Firefox, but that's what we're supposed to be writing it for).

http://www.pic.ucla.edu/~jctaylor/callhello3.htm

and this is my php script:

#!/usr/local/bin/php
<?php
echo $_GET['hello'];
?>

Thanks for any help!
(oh, and I am using jquery libraries - forgot to mention)
 
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$_GET referes to the URL query string. A URL's query string is anything that comes after a '?' character.

For example,

http://www.pic.ucla.edu/~jctaylor/callhello3.htm?hello=goodbye

- Warren
 
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the problem is this line where you're trying to pass the contents of the keywords text field to your script
Code:
$("//div#content").load("hello.php?hello=keywords");
The way it's written, you're telling hello.php to run with a variable called hello set to "keywords".

try something like
Code:
$("//div#content").load("hello.php?hello="+this.keywords);
which would (should) append the query string with the value from the keywords element.

Oh, and the script will break if you enter more than one word. Working around that I'll leave as an exercise for you.
 
oh, thanks! I appreciate the help! I'll give it a try!:cool:
 
hmmm.. still haven't got it sorted out. It says "undefined".
 
Since your input object only has a name property (and no ID)
Code:
<INPUT name=keywords>

You can use the following to get its value:
Code:
document.getElementsByName('keywords')[0].value

So in your code you'd have:
Code:
<SCRIPT type=text/javascript>
      $(document).ready(
        function(){
          $("//p#b1/a").click(
            function(){
              $("//div#content").empty();
              $("//div#content").load("hello.php?hello=" + document.getElementsByName('keywords')[0].value);

            }
          )
        }
      )
    </SCRIPT>

If you give your input control an ID:
Code:
<INPUT name=keywords id=keywords>

You can use the following to get its value:
Code:
document.getElementById('keywords').value;

Or you can use jquery:
Code:
$("input#keywords").val()

And you'd have, after giving your control an ID:
Code:
<SCRIPT type=text/javascript>
      $(document).ready(
        function(){
          $("//p#b1/a").click(
            function(){
              $("//div#content").empty();
              $("//div#content").load("hello.php?hello=" + $("input#keywords").val());

            }
          )
        }
      )
    </SCRIPT>
 
Last edited:
oh, OHHH My GOODNESS! It's working! Oh, wow - cool! per your suggestion, I gave the INPUT an ID property and used jquery to get the value.

http://www.pic.ucla.edu/~jctaylor/callhello3.htm

Thanks so much, Job!:smile: :smile: :smile:
 
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