How to verify multiple checkboxes using php

Question

I have a list which I am populating from my DB into multiple checkboxes using a foreach loop:

<?php 
$sections_arr = listAllForumBoards(0, 1, 100);
$count_board = count($sections_arr);
$ticker = 0;
foreach($sections_arr as $key => $printAllSections){
$ticker = $ticker + 1;
$sectionId = getBoardPart($printAllSections, 'id');
$sectionName = getBoardPart($printAllSections, 'title');
$sectionSlug = getBoardPart($printAllSections, 'slug');

?>
<dd><label for="<?php echo $sectionSlug; ?>">
<input type="checkbox" name="section[]" id="<?php echo $sectionSlug; ?>" value="<?php echo $sectionId; ?>" /> <?php echo $sectionName; ?></label></dd>
<?php } ?>

The list is populating as expected. But I want to be able to check to make sure that a user selects at least one of the checkboxes. I've searched here in SO and I only got the one that was done using JQuery, but I want to be able to do this verification using PHP

The only way you can do this purely in php would be AFTER the form is submitted, then it's just a matter of checking whether it's been set with isset() or empty() — Epodax
– Epodax, Commented Nov 5, 2015 at 11:35
So, doing if(empty["section[]"]) will solve the problem OR is there a specific way to do this @Epodax ? — Samuel Asor
– Samuel Asor, Commented Nov 5, 2015 at 11:43
No, you have to do it after the form is submitted on your $_POST (Or $_GET), PHP cannot validate client side. — Epodax
– Epodax, Commented Nov 5, 2015 at 11:44
Exactly what I want to do (server side validation, just incase the user disables javascript in his/her browser). I understand that this will be done after the form is submitted, but my question is "how"? Code snippets will be greatly appreciated. — Samuel Asor
– Samuel Asor, Commented Nov 5, 2015 at 11:47
Yes, and empty() does that. If no checkbox is selected then no value is sent, i.e it will be empty — Epodax
– Epodax, Commented Nov 5, 2015 at 12:02

Legionar · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-05 12:24:28Z

1

In the file, where your form is submitting (action file) add this condition:

if (empty($_POST['section'])) {
    // it will go here, if no checkboxes were checked
}

answered Nov 5, 2015 at 12:24

Legionar

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1 Comment

Samuel Asor Over a year ago

Thanks for your effort. I've been able to rectify the error.

itoctopus · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-05 12:24:16Z

0

In your action file, you should have the following

if(empty($_POST['section'])) {
    //this means that the user hasn't selected any checkbox, redirect to the previous page with error
}

edited Nov 5, 2015 at 12:24

answered Nov 5, 2015 at 12:17

itoctopus

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1 Comment

Samuel Asor Over a year ago

Thank for your effort and editing. The issue has been resolved.

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