Question

I have a form that accepts multiple inputs and then submits it to the database however there is a field which holds the certificate number for a record I would like to query the database before the data is inserted to ensure that the certificate number is not already present. Can i do this when the field is entered i.e when the user tabs out of the field and then display a notification?

If so can someone post an example on how to do this.

The MySQL table is called – contract
The MySQL field is called – guarantee_no

The Form POST’s to create.php (Code Below)

<?php
    include "includes/connection.php";

    $installer      = $_POST['inputInstaller'];
    $fitter         = $_POST['inputFitter'];
    $guarantee      = $_POST['inputGuaratnee_no'];
    $equipment      = $_POST['inputEquipment'];
    $certificate    = $_POST['inputCertificate_no'];
    $installed      = $_POST['inputInstall_date'];

    if(!$_POST['submit']){
        echo "Please Enter Data into the Form";
        printf("<script>location.href='index.php'</script>");
    } else {
        mysql_query("INSERT INTO contract (`id`,`user_id`,`installer`,`fitter`,`guarantee_no`,`contact_id`,`equipment`,`certificate_no`,`install_date`)
                       VALUES(NULL,'1','$installer','$fitter','$guarantee',NULL,'$equipment','$certificate','$installed')") or die(mysql_error());
        echo "Guarantee Record was Added, Thank You!";
        printf("<script>location.href='index.php'</script>");
    }               
?>

Thanks for your help in advance

Answer 1

According to your Question. If you want to use that validation in PHP. You can use $_SESSION variables.

In your action file.
Use:

<?php
    session_start();
    include "includes/connection.php";

    $installer      = $_POST['inputInstaller'];
    $fitter         = $_POST['inputFitter'];
    $guarantee      = $_POST['inputGuaratnee_no'];
    $equipment      = $_POST['inputEquipment'];
    $certificate    = $_POST['inputCertificate_no'];
    $installed      = $_POST['inputInstall_date'];

    if($installer == '' || $fitter == '' || $guarantee == '' || $equipment == '' || $certificate == '' || $installed == ''){
        $_SESSION['status'] = 'error';
    } else {
        mysql_query("INSERT INTO contract (`id`,`user_id`,`installer`,`fitter`,`guarantee_no`,`contact_id`,`equipment`,`certificate_no`,`install_date`)
                       VALUES(NULL,'1','$installer','$fitter','$guarantee',NULL,'$equipment','$certificate','$installed')") or die(mysql_error());
        $_SESSION['status'] = 'success';
   }               
header("location: index.php");
?>

Now in your index.php file.
Use at the top:

<?php
session_start();
if($_SESSION['status'] == 'error') {
$msg = "Fill all form fields";
}
if ($_SESSION['status'] == 'success'){
$msg = "Record succesfully added";
}
?>

Now use that $msg variable where you want to print the message.
like:

<?php echo isset($msg) ? $msg : '' ?>

Note: If you dont want to reload the page then Ajax with PHP should be used. This is just the simple way. You can Use accordingly.

Hope It helps..cheers..!!