I’ve Googled this and browsed through SO and Programmers.stackexchange and not found a mention.
Background:
I’m working on a project where the users and the designer would like me to truncate the text I output to an updateable form for visual appeal. They don’t want the text to be cut off by the end of the input field and want the text in the box to fit the length of the box.
Problem:
I know how to truncate the strings and I know how to get my script to ignore fields that weren’t updated. What I don’t know how to do is keep the data integrity from breaking down when users start updating the fields. Because the fields would no longer contain the full value, this seems like it would introduce serious flaws when I update the database.
Question:
Is there any way that I can give them what they want in terms of a truncated presentation, and then cause the full text of each input to appear if they try to edit that input… or do I just have to go back and say “What you want can’t be done?” I’m open to other suggestions too. 🙂
If I understand correctly, you have a few challenges here. You need to display some data in the form truncated, which is relatively simple. You also need to make the data display in full if it’s edited, and also substitute in full data for truncated data when the form is submitted, but avoid wiping out changes that your users have made.
You could do this with jQuery. Display the truncated data, but use .data() to store the full data. Also use .data() to store a flag on each field so you know if it has been edited or not. When a field gets focus, sub in the full data. When the form is submitted, check each field’s flag to see if it’s been edited. If it has, leave it alone. If the data has not been edited, remove the field contents and swap in the full length data. Then submit the form.
You’ll present truncated data, allow the full data to be edited, and avoid submitting the truncated data if it’s not edited.