Question

I have a problem with a form. I need it to perform two actions with only one submit click. I’ve read that the best solution is a server-side script, but my knowledge of PHP is pretty limited, so I’d really appreciate any help.

The two actions I need to perform are:

1. Run a script that uploads a file and sends an email (action="uploader.php")
2. Direct the user to a PayPal payment gateway (action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr")

As I see it, the problem is that I don’t have control over the PayPal script, but it obviously takes some data from the form (i.e. amount, concept, etc…), so adding a simple redirect in uploader.php isn’t enough.

What do you think? How could I solve it?

Thanks!

UPDATE: I’ll try to post the user-action flow:

1. user fills in the form and adds a file to upload
2. 1st form action: file is uploaded and an email is sent (action="uploader.php")
3. 2nd form action: user is taken to a paypal payment form (action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr")
4. When the purchase is completed the user is taken to a purchase confirmation page.

Answer 1

Your uploader.php should show the new paypal form (or the same) to user and submit it by javascript on dom ready.
Don’t forget about non-javascript users too.

<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" id="myForm">
  <!-- obviously hidden input's -->
  <script type="text/javascript">
    window.onload = function(){
      document.getElementById("myForm").submit();
    }
  </script>
  <noscript><input type="submit" value="Continue to Paypal!" /></noscript>
</form>