hi guys, basically, what I have is a help desk system, its got javascript in it to change feilds and select different radio buttons, my question is, as the extra feilds change depending on the catagory the user chooses, what would be the best way to add that extra feild to the database, as i dont think it would be very benificial to create a lot of different coloumns for each extra feild, and I think that would be a lot of coding just to insert it into the database, I will post the actual code for the system below and you can veiw a live html/javascript display page of it at the link listed below the code.


<td width=99% background="http://www.bootleggers.us/game-new/site/innerbg.gif" bgcolor="#222222" valign=top>
<br>
<center>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" width="100%" class="cat">
<tr>
<td>
<p style="font-size: 4pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 width=75% align=center>
<tr>
<td width=52% valign=top class="insideTables">
<form action="/helpdesk.php" method=POST>
<table border=1 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 width=100% bordercolor=black class=sub2 align=center>
<tr>
<td colspan=3 class=header>Create a help ticket</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 30%;">Category:</td>
<td style="width: 70%;"><select name=cat id=selCat style="width: 100%;" onChange="document.getElementById('td_1').innerHTML=(null==topic[document.getElementById('selCat').value]['1']?'Field 1':topic[document.getElementById('selCat').value]['1'])+':'; document.getElementById('tr_1').style.display=(null==topic[document.getElementById('selCat').value]['1']?'none':(document.all?'':'table-row')); document.getElementById('td_2').innerHTML=(null==topic[document.getElementById('selCat').value]['2']?'Field 2':topic[document.getElementById('selCat').value]['2'])+':'; document.getElementById('tr_2').style.display=(null==topic[document.getElementById('selCat').value]['2']?'none':(document.all?'':'table-row')); document.getElementById('td_3').innerHTML=(null==topic[document.getElementById('selCat').value]['3']?'Field 3':topic[document.getElementById('selCat').value]['3'])+':'; document.getElementById('tr_3').style.display=(null==topic[document.getElementById('selCat').value]['3']?'none':(document.all?'':'table-row')); document.getElementById('tr_3a').style.display=(null==topic[document.getElementById('selCat').value]['3']?'none':(document.all?'':'table-row')); if (document.getElementById('selCat').value == 0) { document.getElementById('data_4a').disabled=false; document.getElementById('data_4a').checked=true; document.getElementById('tr_4').style.display='none'; }; if (topic[document.getElementById('selCat').value]['0'] > 0) { document.getElementById('data_4b').checked=true; document.getElementById('data_4a').disabled=true; document.getElementById('tr_4').style.display=(document.all?'':'table-row'); }; if (topic[document.getElementById('selCat').value]['0'] == 0) { document.getElementById('data_4a').disabled=false; document.getElementById('data_4a').checked=true; document.getElementById('tr_4').style.display=(document.all?'':'table-row'); }; return true;"><option value=0 id=opt_0 selected>--- Choose category ---</option><option value=6 id=opt_6>Arm Wrestling</option><option value=4 id=opt_4>Auto Burglary</option><option value=10 id=opt_10>Bank</option><option value=27 id=opt_27>Bootleggers Bootcast</option><option value=9 id=opt_9>Bootleggers Buzz</option><option value=16 id=opt_16>Bootlegging / Booze Runs</option><option value=2 id=opt_2>Casino / Poker</option><option value=24 id=opt_24>Crew Issues</option><option value=3 id=opt_3>Crimes</option><option value=25 id=opt_25>Escrow</option><option value=29 id=opt_29>Establishment</option><option value=15 id=opt_15>Feature Suggestion</option><option value=23 id=opt_23>Forums</option><option value=7 id=opt_7>General Game Play</option><option value=26 id=opt_26>Hacked!</option><option value=13 id=opt_13>Help Desk</option><option value=8 id=opt_8>Jail</option><option value=12 id=opt_12>Missions</option><option value=1 id=opt_1>Organized Crime</option><option value=17 id=opt_17>Other / Miscellaneous</option><option value=28 id=opt_28>Photo Album</option><option value=14 id=opt_14>Points Purchase</option><option value=30 id=opt_30>Problem with Staff / HDO</option><option value=20 id=opt_20>Report a Dupe</option><option value=21 id=opt_21>Report Bug / Glitch</option><option value=22 id=opt_22>Report Exploit / Cheat</option><option value=19 id=opt_19>Report Forum Infraction</option><option value=11 id=opt_11>Report TOS Violation</option><option value=5 id=opt_5>Stock Market</option><option value=18 id=opt_18>TOS / Rules Question</option></select></td>
</tr>
<tr id=tr_1 style="display: none;">
<td id=td_1 style="vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;">Field 1</td>
<td><input type=text name=data_1 style="width: 100%;" value=""></td>
</tr>
<tr id=tr_2 style="display: none;"><td id=td_2 style="vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;">Field 2</td><td><input type=text name=data_2 style="width: 100%;" value=""></td></tr>
<tr id=tr_3 style="display: none;"><td colspan=2 id=td_3 style="vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;">Field 3</td></tr>
<tr id=tr_3a style="display: none;"><td colspan=2 style="vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;"><textarea name=data_3 style="width: 100%; height: 200px;"></textarea></td></tr>
<tr id=tr_4 style="display: none;"><td><input type=radio name=data_4 id=data_4a value=0 checked> <label for=data_4a>Let HDOs help</label><br><input type=radio name=data_4 id=data_4b value=1> <label for=data_4b>Elite Guard only</label></td><td align=right><input type=submit value="Submit ticket!"></td></tr>
</table></span>
<script type="text/javascript">
var topic = new Array();
topic['0']=new Array();
topic['0']['0']=0;
topic['0']['1']=null;
topic['0']['2']=null;
topic['0']['3']=null;
topic['6']=new Array();
topic['6']['0']=0;
topic['6']['1']=null;
topic['6']['2']='Level';
topic['6']['3']='Question';
topic['4']=new Array();
topic['4']['0']=0;
topic['4']['1']=null;
topic['4']['2']='Plate';
topic['4']['3']='Question';
topic['10']=new Array();
topic['10']['0']=0;
topic['10']['1']=null;
topic['10']['2']=null;
topic['10']['3']='Question';
topic['27']=new Array();
topic['27']['0']=0;
topic['27']['1']=null;
topic['27']['2']=null;
topic['27']['3']='Question';
topic['9']=new Array();
topic['9']['0']=0;
topic['9']['1']='Issue';
topic['9']['2']=null;
topic['9']['3']='Question';
topic['16']=new Array();
topic['16']['0']=0;
topic['16']['1']=null;
topic['16']['2']=null;
topic['16']['3']='Question';
topic['2']=new Array();
topic['2']['0']=0;
topic['2']['1']=null;
topic['2']['2']=null;
topic['2']['3']='Question';
topic['24']=new Array();
topic['24']['0']=0;
topic['24']['1']=null;
topic['24']['2']='Crew';
topic['24']['3']='Question';
topic['3']=new Array();
topic['3']['0']=0;
topic['3']['1']=null;
topic['3']['2']=null;
topic['3']['3']='Question';
topic['25']=new Array();
topic['25']['0']=0;
topic['25']['1']=null;
topic['25']['2']=null;
topic['25']['3']='Question';
topic['29']=new Array();
topic['29']['0']=0;
topic['29']['1']=null;
topic['29']['2']='State';
topic['29']['3']='Question';
topic['15']=new Array();
topic['15']['0']=1;
topic['15']['1']=null;
topic['15']['2']='Feature';
topic['15']['3']='Suggestion';
topic['23']=new Array();
topic['23']['0']=0;
topic['23']['1']=null;
topic['23']['2']='Forum';
topic['23']['3']='Question';
topic['7']=new Array();
topic['7']['0']=0;
topic['7']['1']=null;
topic['7']['2']=null;
topic['7']['3']='Question';
topic['26']=new Array();
topic['26']['0']=1;
topic['26']['1']=null;
topic['26']['2']='Who hacked you?';
topic['26']['3']='Information';
topic['13']=new Array();
topic['13']['0']=0;
topic['13']['1']=null;
topic['13']['2']=null;
topic['13']['3']='Question';
topic['8']=new Array();
topic['8']['0']=0;
topic['8']['1']=null;
topic['8']['2']='State';
topic['8']['3']='Question';
topic['12']=new Array();
topic['12']['0']=0;
topic['12']['1']='Mission';
topic['12']['2']=null;
topic['12']['3']='Question';
topic['1']=new Array();
topic['1']['0']=0;
topic['1']['1']=null;
topic['1']['2']=null;
topic['1']['3']='Question';
topic['17']=new Array();
topic['17']['0']=0;
topic['17']['1']=null;
topic['17']['2']='Feature';
topic['17']['3']='Question';
topic['28']=new Array();
topic['28']['0']=0;
topic['28']['1']=null;
topic['28']['2']=null;
topic['28']['3']='Question';
topic['14']=new Array();
topic['14']['0']=5;
topic['14']['1']=null;
topic['14']['2']='Tranction ID';
topic['14']['3']='Question';
topic['30']=new Array();
topic['30']['0']=4;
topic['30']['1']=null;
topic['30']['2']='Admin/Mod/HDO Name';
topic['30']['3']='Information';
topic['20']=new Array();
topic['20']['0']=1;
topic['20']['1']=null;
topic['20']['2']='Username';
topic['20']['3']='Information';
topic['21']=new Array();
topic['21']['0']=1;
topic['21']['1']=null;
topic['21']['2']='Feature/Page';
topic['21']['3']='Information';
topic['22']=new Array();
topic['22']['0']=1;
topic['22']['1']=null;
topic['22']['2']='Feature/Page';
topic['22']['3']='Information';
topic['19']=new Array();
topic['19']['0']=0;
topic['19']['1']='Username';
topic['19']['2']='Link to Topic';
topic['19']['3']='Information';
topic['11']=new Array();
topic['11']['0']=1;
topic['11']['1']=null;
topic['11']['2']='Username';
topic['11']['3']='Information';
topic['5']=new Array();
topic['5']['0']=0;
topic['5']['1']=null;
topic['5']['2']='Company';
topic['5']['3']='Question';
topic['18']=new Array();
topic['18']['0']=0;
topic['18']['1']=null;
topic['18']['2']=null;
topic['18']['3']='Question';
</script>
</form>


</td>
<td width=3%>&nbsp;</td><td width=45% valign=top class="insideTables"><table border=1 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 width=100% bordercolor=black class=sub2 align=center><tr><td colspan=3 class=header>Help Desk Operators</td></tr></table></td></tr></table></span>

</tr>
</table>
</td>


http://crimewave.360-tactics.co.uk/hdtest.php

if you look at the link, and change the drop down box, it will display new feilds, whats the best way to place them into a database, instead of in different coloumns?

cheers guys

Hi Dan,

You are correct, storing this all in 1 column as a pose to multiple columns is a much better idea.

I'd use the function called "implode". Have a look at php.net/implode

Basically, you'll be able to assign each piece of data to an array.


$array = ('Hacked', 'Who Hacked You?');
$data = implode(',' $array);


You then store $data in your column.

When you want to access the data, use another function called "explode". php.net/explode


$array = explode(',' $data);
$array[0] = 'Hacked;'
$array[1] = 'Who Hacked You';


That's the way i'd do it anyway :-)

that sounds like a good idea, however how would i collect each different part to put it into the array?

Hi Dan,

You just use the name of the each form area.

e.g
main = Hacked
sub = Who Hacked You?

Pass the data through to your handling page, and then combine them.


$main = mysql_escape_string(strip_tags($_POST['main']));
$sub = mysql_escape_string(strip_tags($_POST['sub']));

$array = $main .= ',' . $sub; // This creates our array of data and seperates each bit with a comma ","


Then just insert $array in to your db column.

If you use this method you will not need "Implode". You can still use "Explode" when you want to get the data back out of the db.

ok, so far ive got this:


if (strip_tags($_POST['submitticket'])){
$cat = mysql_escape_string(strip_tags($_POST['cat']));
$data1 = mysql_escape_string(strip_tags($_POST['data_1']));
$data2 = mysql_escape_string(strip_tags($_POST['data_2']));
$data3 = mysql_escape_string(strip_tags($_POST['data_3']));
$data4 = mysql_escape_string(strip_tags($_POST['data_4']));

$array = $cat .= ',' . $data1 .= ',' . $data2 .= ',' . $data3 .= ',' . $data4;

echo "$array";
}


this gives me the results:


19,Bob,topic id is 1,in forum 1,0


19 = id number of to catagory
bob = name i put in data1
topic id is 1 = input into data2
in forum 1 = input into data3
0 = data4 input, however this wont be in this array as i will have a seperate coloumn for this in the db.


my problem, is how can i change it so that it lists the feild instead of the id from the coding ive got?

or a better way, (i think) would be collecting this part:


<select name=cat id=selCat


how do i collect the id that is selected? because using name=cat, i can call the cat as $cat above, and that just gives me an id number, so i was wondering if i could actually collect the selCat instead?

Hi Dan,

I might be wrong but i'm pretty sure you can't. Defining the "id" of an element within HTML is usually to either style it via CSS or for JavaScript purposes.

If it were me doing it and i was using the code you have already written, i'd develop a little script include to find the name of the category based on the ID.

Insert the ID (19) in your example, into the database as normal. When you want to pull data from the DB, just use something along the lines of following:


if($catid == 19) {
$catname = 'nameofcategory';
}


You'd need to write a new line for every ID you have in your Javascript. Save it as an external file and then just include it below your MYSQL query.

It's a bit messy, but it will do what you want it to do.

If further down the line you wanted to really clean up your code, i'd reprogram your support system with a small interface to add/edit/remove categories and subcategories. Each one would have an "id" and a "title" so they'd be no need for an external script to find out which one related to which ID when it was pulled from the DB.

Just a thought anyway :-)

** Note, if i am wrong about pushing through the ID of a form element and the "name", can someone let me know!

thanks :) ive got it all working now :) thanks for your help :)