PHP $_POST arrays with multiple rows

Question

I've been reading about arrays created by $_POST in PHP. I know that if I submit a form with the follow inputs ID, Name, Date I will end up with an array that includes $_POST = array('IDNo', 'Name', 'Date', 'State'). The point that I'm trying to get to is that I'll have multiple instances of IDNo, Name, Date, State submitted at the same time.

I'm fairly sure I can process and sanitize the data once it's been submitted, but I'm not sure how to get it into a multi row array.

<form method="post" action="test.php">
    <input type="hidden" name="IDNo" />
    <input type="text" name="Name" />
    <input type="text" name="Date" />
    <input type="radio" name="State1" />

    <input type="hidden" name="IDNo" />
    <input type="text" name="Name" />
    <input type="text" name="Date" />
    <input type="radio" name="State2" />

    <input type="hidden" name="IDNo" />
    <input type="text" name="Name" />
    <input type="text" name="Date" />
    <input type="radio" name="State3" />

    <input type="submit" value="Test Me" />
</form>

One thing you'll notice is that the radio input has a unique name for each row. This is related to some jquery implemented on the page. I've seen IDNo[] and Name[] etc used as this would create the array within the $_POST array, but my unique input name on radio wouldn't work with this, as each radio input would be a different array

Would I be better to append the IDNo or a row number to each input name, or is there another way I can tackle this that I just haven't seen?

Perhaps by changing State1, to state[1] and changing IDNo, Name, Date to ID[1], Name[1], Date[1] within the HTML.
What's key for me is that I do it correctly without creating anything that is insecure.

I would use the array method to be able to loop through the $_POSTdata easily but if a radio input isn't checked, it won't appear in the data and your loop will be wrong. Using numbers can be better. Then loop through $_POST and check existing inputs with array_keys and strpos. — AymDev
– AymDev, Commented Feb 19, 2017 at 9:54
Thanks for the answer. You mentioned radio inputs, but there are some inputs which will have no values that I intend to use as part of php arguments. — denski
– denski, Commented Feb 19, 2017 at 16:02

RST · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-19 10:04:25Z

4

There are many ways to do this. One would be:

<?php $states = array(1,2,3); ?>
<form method="post" action="test.php">
   <?php foreach ( $states as $state ) : ?>
        <input type="hidden" name="<?php echo 'state['.$state.']'; ?>[IDNo]" />
        <input type="hidden" name="<?php echo 'state['.$state.']'; ?>[Name]" />
        <input type="hidden" name="<?php echo 'state['.$state.']'; ?>[Date]" />
        <input type="hidden" name="<?php echo 'state['.$state.']'; ?>" />
    <?php endforeach; ?>
    <input type="submit" value="Test Me" />
</form>

You can access these values by using code like $_POST['state'][1]['Name']

You can expand the $states array to hold more information.

answered Feb 19, 2017 at 10:04

RST

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3 Comments

denski Over a year ago

So essentially $_POST['State'][1]['Name'] is a numerical array called state, with a sub array which has names.

denski Over a year ago

I have 2 questions if you don't mind. 1. can i use <input name="State[1][Name]" /> etc, securely once I sanitise the input correctly? 2. Is there any security concerns around using the actual Unique ID number from MySQL as the State number.

RST Over a year ago

No. Your level of security doesn't depend on record id numbers. What you do with the information before sending it to the database will.

TIGERB · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-19 10:20:23Z

0

It's a good question~

I think it can only use a different name attribute for radio when using form to send http packets~

answered Feb 19, 2017 at 10:20

TIGERB

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