Question

I want to make an online application which is basically a form which will be filled in steps which might take days before i decide to take it to the next step. Now my question is, how can i get to know that a user has already completed step one and therefore when he/she logs in he is taken to step two and if not to step one.

I am thinking of a function more similar to a session. Can i use a cookie? Any kick starts?

Answer 1

Basically, the two methods you have to know the status of the user is to use cookies, of course, or database persistence.

Since your user has to be logged in to continue I would suggest the second one. This is, for each step of the form the user takes, save that information in your database. You can persist all the information the user already filled, so for each log in, you will know which fields to show (or which step)

Advantages of this against the cookies is that cookies can be removed by the user, so you will loose this information. Also it will happen if the cookie expires.

With database persistence you can maintain this information all the time you consider correct to wait the user to complete the form.

Hope it helps,