A Function for a PHP Form Validating

[kenwvs]

I am trying to write a form validating script and have most of the functions figured out. I have a couple where I want the opportunity to leave it blank, but, if they choose to fill it in, I want it to meet certain requirements.

Example. The field can be left blank, but, if they put anything in the field, it must be in the form of a email address. (I know how the format for an email is

function checkEmail($email) { //Check Email Format
$pattern = "/^[A-z0-9\._-]+"
. "@"
. "[A-z0-9][A-z0-9-]*"
. "(\.[A-z0-9_-]+)*"
. "\.([A-z]{2,6})$/";
return preg_match ($pattern, $email);

but how do I add that it can be blank also.

The same thing except it would be in a dollar value, but could be blank.

Thanks,

Ken

[curtiss]

Originally Posted by kenwvs

but how do I add that it can be blank also.

Put that code within an IF statement that looks something like:

if($email != "" && isset($email)) {

}

[Till]

Originally Posted by curtiss

Put that code within an IF statement that looks something like:

PHP Code:

if($email != "" && isset($email)) {

} 


Rather use empty() with strings.

[kenwvs]

Thank You, that makes sense.... I actaully hadn't tried to solve that one so the timing was perfect.

What about an if....... If a different field (drop box) is auction or dutch auction then must be filled with a dollar amount, but if it is a fixed price or classified it must be left empty

Thanks,

Ken

[curtiss]

Originally Posted by Till

Rather use empty() with strings.

The problem with that is that any time a form is submitted, if the form field is empty, it stores the value of that variable as "", rather than storing it as NULL, so it won't return as empty, unfortunately.

Unless there's some other way to submit forms without storing blank values in the form's variables.

[kenwvs]

So, right now with no validation, if I leave that field empty, it will store it as "". This works fine. So can I make a function that it can be either a dollar amount or "" and stipulate that if a different field is auction of dutch auction it is "" and if anything else a dollar amount is required> I have a function for a dollar amount, well, actually it is a field that will only allow numbers and period (I don't know how to make it a dollar amount.)

If easier for you to understand, I can copy and paste the code that I have.......although it isn't working properly yet, and I don't know why.

Ken