PHP/MySQL - Populating the Select option of an HTML Form

[johnwrightson]

Hi

I am new to PHP, but have programmed in Powerbuilder for many years.

My problem is that I wish to provide a search/update facility to my Genealogy website and cannot seem to provide the user with a list of towns stored in a MySQL table, via a drop down list box (i.e., the Select option of HTML forms).

I have tried using the SQL SELECT and populating the HTML SELECT option of the HTML Form, but cannot. Is this possible? If not is there a different method.

regards John

[sijpie]

I'm not a php programmer, but I achieve exactly what you require in ASP, and it should be pretty easy to transpose the code to PHP.

    sql = "SELECT ModelName FROM [PDA_Data]ORDER BY ModelName"
    rsPDA.Source =  sql
	rsPDA.open()
    If rsPDA.eof Then
        rsPDA.AddNew
    End If

	do while not rsPDA.eof
	        strMdlOptions = strMdlOptions & "<option>"
		strMdlOptions = strMdlOptions & rsPDA("ModelName")
		strMdlOptions = strMdlOptions & "</option>" & vbNewLine
		rsPDA.MoveNext
	loop

The strMdlOptions should now consist of each of the models surrounded by option tags.
This can then be used in your form:

<SELECT NAME="Model">
<% = strMdlOptions %>
</SELECT>

(here the <%= strMdlOptions%> inserts the strMdlOptions, use the php equivalent)

That should work a dream.

[johnwrightson]

Hi Jaap

You were right it did work a dream. I had previously tried the ideas but because I was new to php with no support I kept going round in circles.

I notice you are in Scotland, so am I (nr Kilmarnock) small world eh!

regards John

[sijpie]

Yeah, Scotland is where all the good guys live... ;)

Glad it works