pr0gr4mm3r — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:40:45 +0000

When I have to do it, I use the $_SESSION variable. Every time a page is submitted, I use the array_merge() function to merge $_POST with $_SESSION['form']. Then, when the last page is submitted, all data is inserted at once. I don't like the idea of inserting the data into the DB page-by-page because you always have the people that bail out before submitting the last page and you have to worry about cleaning out half-completed forms.

Also, if data is validated on every page, remember to validate all data at the end even if it was validated before on previous pages.

mscreashuns — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:13:20 +0000

brady.k;221826 wrote: As forr using "hidden" fields, as opposed to PHP variables... that's generally a terrible idea for anything involving personal information. Use them to keep track of what's being submitted if you want, but not the data itself.

That's actually why I proposed simply using the first name and email address as the information being stored. I can see the email address being personal, but a first name can not directly identify anyone (except maybe Prince or Cher...).

Anywho, it's simply a hypothetical situation, and perhaps, not even worth being discussed, but it was an event that popped in my head.

brady.k — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:08:32 +0000

Well, there's a few answers.

The quick and easy one, in my mind, is that updating the MySQL as you go would be a better choice, if only because you don't have to track numerous variables across many pages. Using sessions or cookies for something like that would be kind of overkill, I think, unless you're talking about a shopping cart. And with the speed of MySQL, no-one would ever know.

As for using "hidden" fields, as opposed to PHP variables... that's generally a terrible idea for anything involving personal information. Use them to keep track of what's being submitted if you want, but not the data itself.

The ultimate answer is....

Don't do it.

Either create a one-page form, or create a dynamic page. If you create a dynamic page that uses AJAX, you then have the ability to process as you go (aka insert/update db rows)... but also without the page refreshes. Or, you could have a one-page form with a bunch of portions hidden until certain fields or parameters are selected/filled out.

I didn't directly answer your question... but knowing more has never killed anyone, I guess...