Set form dropdown depending on PHP variable

Question

I have a drop down form item with four options.

<p>Priority: 
  <select required name=\"priority\">
    <option default value=\"1\">1 - 10 days</option>
    <option value=\"2\">2 - 5 days</option>
    <option value=\"3\">3 - 48 hours</option>
    <option value=\"4\">4 - 24 hours</option>
  </select>
</p>

http://jsfiddle.net/2nmxN/

These values are already stored in the SQL database with either 1,2,3,4. The page I am working on is an edit page of sorts, so I would like to have whichever value is set in the database be selected on the drop down, so the user does not have to reselect the value upon submission. How can I get it to find the value and select the correct option depending what is set? I have no problem doing this with a text field like this:

echo "<p>Cost: <input required type=\"text\" name=\"cost\" value=\"".$cost."\">";

Do I have to do four different if statements for each value (if ($priority == 1) {...}) etc.?

You could also store the values in an array - use the value as the key, and the text description as the value; and iterate through that. You'll still need to check each time, but it might be less typing, and it's easier to maintain. — andrewsi
– andrewsi, Commented Jun 5, 2013 at 13:08

Olivier Coilland · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-05 13:10:13Z

5

If the options were stored in an associative array, you could write something like:

foreach ($options as $value => $label) {
    echo '<option value="', $value, '"', ($dbValue == $value ? ' selected="selected"' : ''), '>', $label, '</option>';
}

answered Jun 5, 2013 at 13:10

Olivier Coilland

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Oswald · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-05 13:09:06Z

1

You do not have to do four different if statements for each value. You have to do four if statements, one for each value.

answered Jun 5, 2013 at 13:09

Oswald

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1 Comment

dcclassics Over a year ago

I meant the latter, didn't mean to word it that way. Thank you.

GioGio · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-05 13:53:39Z

0

foreach ($options as $value => $label) 
{
  if(isset($_POST['priority']) && $_POST['priority']==$value)
  {
    $selected = 'selected="selected"';
  }
  else
  {
    $selected='';
  }

  echo '<option value="'. $value. '" '.$selected.'>'. $label. '</option>';
}

answered Jun 5, 2013 at 13:53

GioGio

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