Question

I know result page that uses GET method can be bookmarked while the one using POST cannot be. I also know about the restrictions of the GET methods.

Now suppose I want to build a search engine which by default uses GET allowing users to bookmark but when the length of the search phrase exceeds the limit, switch to POST. On the server side I make use of $_GET or $_POST depending on which is set.

Is this doable?

If no, why?
If yes, please provide a brief outline.

Thanks

Answer 1

It is doable, no problem.

There is the $_REQUEST array that merges GET, POST, and COOKIE values but the better way would be to handle GET and POST manually in your script.

Just have your engine check both $_GET["variable"] and $_POST["variable"] and use whichever is set. If a variable is set in both methods, you need to decide which one you want to give precedence.

The only notable difference between the two methods is that a GET parameter has size limitations depending on browser and receiving web server (POST has limitations too, but they are usually in the range of several megabytes).
I think the general rule is that a GET string should never exceed 1024 characters.