Question

I have very simple web site (which is actually single page), there is one input field and a button.
I need to store data submitted by users somewhere on server side. Perfect way could be simple text file and new lines appended to it after each button click. Log file will be also ok.
As I understand it is not possible with JavaScript itself. I’m looking for easiest solution, preferably with no server-side programming (but if it is required, it should be as easy as possible and work out-of-box). I can use some side service if it could be helpful.
Please help.
Thanks in advance.

UPD. Just want to rephrase the main question. I do not really need to store something on server side. I need to collect some input from users. Is it possible? It would also be ok if it for example will be just sent to my e-mail.

Answer 1

For a very simple form-to-server-log script:

Your form:

<form action="save-to-log.php" method="POST">
  <fieldset>
    <legend>Add to log</legend>
    <p>
      Message:
      <textarea name="message"></textarea>
    </p>
    <p>
      <input type="submit" value="SAVE" />
    </p>
  </fieldset>
</form>

Then save-to-log.php

<?php
  $log_file_name = 'mylog.log'; // Change to the log file name
  $message = $_POST['message']; // incoming message
  file_put_contents($log_file_name, $message, FILE_APPEND);
  header('Location: /'); // redirect back to the main site

if it’s a unix host you’ll need to add 755 permissions to the directory of the log so PHP has access to write to it. Other than that, you’ll have a form that keeps appending information to mylog.log.

Follow-Up

If you don’t necessarily need it store on the server (you mentioned email) you can use the following instead as the PHP script:

<?php
  $to_email = '[e-mail]';
  $subject = 'User feedback from site';
  $message = $_POST['message'];

  // this may need configuring depending on your host. If you find the email isn't
  // being sent, look up the error you're receiving or post another question here on
  // SO.
  mail($to_email, $subject, $message);

  header('Location: /');