PHP Undefined index:

Question

I am new to PHP... Just trying this simple piece of code inside my about.php file (which links to index.php file via a hyperlink):

<form action ="about.php" method="POST">
<ul>
    <li>
        <label for="name"> Enter your name please:</label>
        <input type="text" name="name"/>

    </li>   
    <li>
        <label for="comments" rows="20"> Enter your comments :</label>
        <textarea id="comments" name="comments" rows="5" cols="38">
            <?php 

                $name = $_POST["name"];

                if (!empty($name)) {
                echo "Your name is ".$name."and you like ny site!";
                } else {
                echo "Please enter your name";
                }


                ?> 
        </textarea> 
    </li>   
    <li>
        <input type="submit" />
    </li>   
</ul>

I get the following error:

Notice: Undefined index: name in D:\xampp\htdocs\stathis1\about\about.php on line 71
Please enter your name

Marko D · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-12 22:20:20Z

1

Because $_POST["name"] is not set, you get that notice. So you need to test if it exists first, and then assign it to your $name variable, or empty string if it's not set.

You can change

$name = $_POST["name"];

to

$name = isset($_POST["name"])?$_POST["name"]:'';

answered Mar 12, 2013 at 22:20

Marko D

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3 Comments

SoulMagnet Over a year ago

I dont get the error but still the program doesnt do what is supposed to, which is to to put the inserted name in the textarea... I believe the cursor never enters the if (!isset($name)) condition...

Marko D Over a year ago

don't forget to close the form with </form>

Marko D Over a year ago

you can check the content of $_POST with var_dump($_POST), and it might be a good idea to update your question with the changed code

user1646111 · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-12 22:21:02Z

1

use isset() instead of empty() because isset() function not triggering notice when the index not defined.

answered Mar 12, 2013 at 22:21

user1646111

Comments

Terry Harvey · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-12 22:21:57Z

1

It's because $_POST['name'] hasn't been submitted/set yet. You need to either use an if statement or a ternary operator:

if (isset($_POST['name'])) {
    $name = $_POST['name'];

    if (!empty($name)) {
        echo 'Your name is ' . $name . ' and you like ny site!';
    } else {
        echo 'Please enter your name';
    }
}

Or, a shorter method:

$name = isset($_POST['name']) ? $_POST['name'] : '';

answered Mar 12, 2013 at 22:21

Terry Harvey

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Comments

n00b · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-12 22:22:01Z

0

Right after starting your php part add this if sentence surrounding the code, so it only executes when the "name" exists.

if(isset($_POST["name"]))

Like this:

<?php 
    if(isset($_POST["name"])){
        $name = $_POST["name"];

        if (!empty($name)) {
            echo "Your name is ".$name."and you like ny site!";
        } else {
            echo "Please enter your name";
        }
    } else {
        echo "Please enter your name";
    }
?>

answered Mar 12, 2013 at 22:22

n00b

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1 Comment

SoulMagnet Over a year ago

I get "Please enter your name " in the textbox even when push the submit button after inserting a name in the name field.... Why name doesnt exist?

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