PHP MySQL Multiple Column Dynamic Dropdown

[Chris W.P.]

Please some help required!

I am currently in the process of setting up an e-commerce suite on a website, but as I am a PHP MySQL newbie I have come across a few problems. I have a product page which has static information on it (plain HTML built using Dreamweaver 4).

I have a form with a dropdown box. I want this dropdown box to show data from three different columns in a MySQL database table. These would be, Colour, Size and Price.

I have the database setup and running with Apache, PHP and MySQL all installed, configured and fully operational.

I am using Dreamweaver MX 2004 now and have already setup the dropdown on the page using the DW insert List/Menu feature. I have been able to select what
dynamic data I would like to show by use of a recordset I have already setup with all the relevant columns.

The first problem I have is the DW insert list/menu feature only allows me to show one column of data. I want to show all three one after the other in
the same dropdown box. I am sure this is possible because I have done this using SQL in MS Access. I am unsure how this is done in PHP MySQL.

The second problem I have is that I would like the selected data from the dropdown to be transported to the next page which will be the Review Cart page. I have read on forums that the use of variables would do this for me but am unsure as to how I would implement them into dropdown on the product page.

The third problem I have is I do not quite understand how the dropdown would only show the Colour, Size and Price options for the specific product on that product page. I have a dynamic dropdown tutorial which states that a parent and child lists would be needed, but seeing as I am only having one dropdown box, I think the child list would not be necessary.

Would I need to put a parentID column in the database table and give an ID for each set of options? For example, Bracelet would have Silver, Gold and Silver Plate.

Would I need to put an ID of 1 for each of these and then go on to put 2 for the next set of options for another product and 3 for the next and so on?

Any help would be much appreciated.