List Box: Multiple Select, search db by

[chris.cavage]

I have a list box that allows for multiple select.

I would like to have the user search a database table based on what they select: as many as they select.

I am also working on a "select all" button too that would select everything inside the listbox...

Either way,

so far, I have read that I have to use a form with the multiple select box and then use the post method, and link the form to a results page.

I would then take the array of that multiple select box and incorporate it into a search.

An example: select box is called: man.

And it will post values 1 through 5 to results.php.

Buuuut, that's as far as I've gotten.

Can someone provide me with some links/references/tips on how to accomplish this so I can study up on it? Thanks.

[kows]

a "select all" button can be achieved through javascript, like here.

as far as searching in a database goes, it's simple. if you have an array of items that are allowed to be returned, you simply add to the where clause. this will build your query:

<?php
  $terms = array("brown", "black", "white", "orange", "red"); //search terms
  $sql = "SELECT * FROM dogs WHERE ";
  for($i = 0; $i < count($terms); $i++){
    $sql .= "color='{$terms[$i]}'";
    if($i != (count($terms) - 1)) $sql .= " OR "; //add an OR unless we're on the last item
  }
  $sql .= " LIMIT 15";
  echo $sql;
?>

this should also work when there's only one item selected.

[chris.cavage]

Thanks, I will work on this.

[chris.cavage]

I am getting the information from a form that I have on a previous page.

The form's list box is called: man

I have this:

$terms = array($_POST['man']);

However it only seems to select the last item selected for the search, it does not use the "OR" as needed.

Thanks.

I will work on it.

[kows]

no no, you can't create an array like that. you need to set $terms to the value of $_POST['man'], not try to put it into an array of itself. you also might not have your form set up correctly -- "man" on your form needs to be named "man[]" so that it can hold multiple values. otherwise, you will only ever return one. I modified my code to include a test form to show you:

<pre>
<?php
  if($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] == "POST"){
    $terms = $_POST['colors']; //search terms
    $sql = "SELECT * FROM dogs WHERE ";
    for($i = 0; $i < count($terms); $i++){
      $sql .= "color='{$terms[$i]}'";
      if($i != (count($terms) - 1)) $sql .= " OR "; //add an OR unless we're on the last item
    }
    $sql .= " LIMIT 15";
    echo $sql;
  }
?>
</pre>
<form action="selectall.php" method="post">
  <select name="colors[]" size="6" multiple>
    <option value="red">Red</option>
    <option value="green">Green</option>
    <option value="blue">Blue</option>
    <option value="yellow">Yellow</option>
    <option value="orange">Orange</option>
    <option value="pink">Pink</option>
  </select>
  <input type="submit" value="Submit" />
</form>

[chris.cavage]

Thank you kows, by the way, for your last post.

I appreciate it... As I mentioned in another thread, I am reconfiguring my database design while its just a baby, based on my website design.

I will post back with questions.

Thank you.