Constructing a classification selection page

[jeddi]

Hi,

I want to have a form where a user can select 3 classifications
from an automatically generated list of categories.

There will be about 50 categories to begin with and then later probably a max of 200.

I was going to just use 3 normal html drop-down boxes, but with this number of items it will be too cumbersome.

So I want to set up single page and list the categories in alphabetical order, each with a tick box next to it and request the user to tick up to 3 boxes.

assuming I have a MySQL table called cats,

I can display them with:

PHP Code:

$sql = "SELECT * FROM cats ORDER BY cat_id";
$result = mysql_query($sql) or die("could not lists CATS". mysql_error() );  
while ($row = mysql_fetch_assoc($result)) {
    extract($row);
  etc 


But how would have a tick box next to each category and then collect the data ?

Thanks for any suggestions.

.

[sunfighter]

Yeah, give up the "you can select 3 classifications " idea. It's just a big head ache that adds nothing to your site.

I'd put a simple "Choose another classification" button on your pages that does an automatic redisplay of the first or the Classification Page so they can pick another one.

Make the button colorful predominant and position:fixed;