Topic: Form fields + session variables

[Canuck]

In my form I check if a session variable isset, and if it is, I populate the field. (I do this to save the user from re-populating the form fields when they are taken to the validation page, then navigate back).

Scenario:
I input incorrect data on PAGE A, and am taken to the validation page. At this point the variables are stored in $_SESSION[].

I decide I no longer want to input the data anymore and navigate to another section of the site. I then decide to navigate back to PAGE A to see my previously incorrect data is still there.

What is the best way to handle this? (Note: The user is logged in using session variables)

Thanks

[hans]

How are you currently doing your validation? It's on a separate page? You could do the validation and redisplay the form page with error messages and the current values from the request. Then you wouldn't have to worry about storing them in the session and when they visit a new form it would be clean.

Are you using an MVC pattern?

You might also be able to get away with implementing a "new form" parameter that gets cleared when you navigate away.

[ober]

I wouldn't use SESSION to store form validation data.  I'd use POST and your validation script should send them back to the form if it's wrong data.

[Canuck]

>>How are you currently doing your validation? It's on a separate page?
Yes, JS errors are displayed on the current page, if it passes, it goes on to server side validation on a separate page.

>>Are you using an MVC pattern?
What is an MVC pattern?

>>I'd use POST and your validation script should send them back to the form if it's wrong data.
How would I send them back? I was trying to populate them with $_POST[], but that didnt seem to work.

//Edit: Should I put the variables into the URL and retrieve them via $_GET[]?

Thanks

[ober]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model-view-controller