Dynamically add to array in PHP?

Question

I am trying to take input from a form, add it to an array, and print_r that array to the screen.

My problem is that the input from the form only replaces the first (and only) element in the array.

<form action="" method="POST">
    <input type="text" name="text" />
    <input type="submit" name="sub"/>
</form>

<?php
    $a = array();

    if( isset($_REQUEST['text']) && !empty($_REQUEST['text'])){
        array_push($a, $_REQUEST['text']);
        print_r($a);
    }
?>

One theory of mine is that $a keeps getting re-assigned on the first line of PHP code ($a = array();), but I'm not sure how to fix it. I have looked around, but can't find an answer.

Are you wanting to accumulate values between various posts? In that case, you're going to have to either send the array contents back and forth on the page (perhaps as a hidden input element) between posts, or persist the array contents in a database. Each post causes the server to start with a comletely "empty" instance of php, it knows nothing of what the array previously was. — DWright
– DWright, Commented Jan 19, 2013 at 0:37
Are you only trying to get this to update on the screen? Do you plan on submitting this later? It sounds as if you should be doing this all on the client side (i.e. JavaScript)? — ernie
– ernie, Commented Jan 19, 2013 at 0:45

Lix · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-19 00:43:14Z

4

You are correct. The array does get reinitialized each time the form is posted. What you'll want to do is have your array as a more persistent data source.

You might consider using a session and the $_SESSION variable.

session_start();
if (!is_array($_SESSION['a'])){
  $_SESSION['a'] = array();
}
$_SESSION['a'][] = $_REQUEST['text'];

You might also consider writing this data to a small text file that you could then read at the start of the script.
Another option would be to write the data to a $_COOKIE.

edited Jan 19, 2013 at 0:43

answered Jan 19, 2013 at 0:36

Lix

48.2k12 gold badges107 silver badges134 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

WillumMaguire Over a year ago

I decided to write the data to a text file, it seems to be working well. I just need to figure out how to add a new line, probably "\n" or "<br/>". Thanks!

dynamic · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-19 00:35:36Z

0

You are mixing client and server execution...
If you want an array of text you should use something like this:

<form action="" method="POST">

    <input type="text" name="text[]" />
    <input type="text" name="text[]" />
    <input type="text" name="text[]" />

    <input type="submit" name="sub"/>
</form>

If you want more entry of text being added you should inject more input with javascript

answered Jan 19, 2013 at 0:35

dynamic

48.2k56 gold badges163 silver badges236 bronze badges

1 Comment

WillumMaguire Over a year ago

I don't know how to handle forms in javascript... I was hoping for having one text box, and each time you press "submit" the value of the text box get's appended to the array, and re-echo's onto the screen. Is there an easier way to do this in JS?

Daniel Figueroa · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-19 00:36:00Z

0

You are not replacing anything, what you're doing is adding the value of $_REQUEST['text'] to the array, which was empty before.

answered Jan 19, 2013 at 0:36

Daniel Figueroa

10.7k5 gold badges48 silver badges68 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Dynamically add to array in PHP?

3 Answers 3

1 Comment

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

1 Comment

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related