How do automatic letter generators work?

[theatomicdude]

I need to make something that will automatically insert values into a letter based on user input, just like this one right here. please tell me how it works....

[Philip M]

It is no more than a series of select lists from which the user may choose an option.

<select id = "list1">
<option value = "">Choose a recipient</option>
<option value = "Father">Father</option>
<option value = "Mother">Mother</option>
<option value = "Grandma">Grandma</option>
</select>

<input type = "button" value = "Generate Letter" onclick = "generate()">
<br><br>
<div id = "letter">
</div>

<script type = "text/javascript">

function generate() {
var r = document.getElementById("list1").value;
if (r!="") {
var message = "Dear " + r + ",";
document.getElementById("letter").innerHTML = message;
}
}
</script>

All advice is supplied packaged by intellectual weight, and not by volume. Contents may settle slightly in transit.

[Lerura]

var r = document.getElementById("list1").options[document.getElementById("list1").selectedIndex].value;

[Philip M]

Originally Posted by lerura

var r = document.getElementById("list1").options[document.getElementById("list1").selectedIndex].value;

No - var r = document.getElementById("list1").value; is just fine.

[Lerura]

Originally Posted by Philip M

No - var r = document.getElementById("list1").value; is just fine.

Well - I have always used, and never questioned the way I learned it.
Nice to know that there is a shorter and easier way to do it

[theatomicdude]

Originally Posted by Philip M

It is no more than a series of select lists from which the user may choose an option.

<select id = "list1">
<option value = "">Choose a recipient</option>
<option value = "Father">Father</option>
<option value = "Mother">Mother</option>
<option value = "Grandma">Grandma</option>
</select>

<input type = "button" value = "Generate Letter" onclick = "generate()">
<br><br>
<div id = "letter">
</div>

<script type = "text/javascript">

function generate() {
var r = document.getElementById("list1").value;
if (r!="") {
var message = "Dear " + r + ",";
document.getElementById("letter").innerHTML = message;
}
}
</script>

All advice is supplied packaged by intellectual weight, and not by volume. Contents may settle slightly in transit.

thanks dude, i havent tried it yet but i'll let you know.

[rnd me]

Originally Posted by Philip M

No - var r = document.getElementById("list1").value; is just fine.

are you sure about that always and everywhere?

EDIT
i know there's got to be a reason i've been doing that stupid x.options [x.selectedIndex ] crap for years...


i'm almost certain that it won't work in IE6, but seeing as IE6 sucks and i don't have a copy of IE6, I'll concede the point.
makes me wonder how long setting the .value of a select has worked as well...

If that's the only reason, screw IE6, i'm going for the .value from now on.

[Philip M]

Originally Posted by rnd me

are you sure about that always and everywhere?

EDIT
i know there's got to be a reason i've been doing that stupid x.options [x.selectedIndex ] crap for years...


i'm almost certain that it won't work in IE6, but seeing as IE6 sucks and i don't have a copy of IE6, I'll concede the point.
makes me wonder how long setting the .value of a select has worked as well...

If that's the only reason, screw IE6, i'm going for the .value from now on.

No, I am not sure as there are there are a bunch of marginal browsers out there such as Konqueror and Lunescape. But it works in IE (including IE6 ), FF and (I am pretty sure) Opera.

Edit: Now tested in Opera.