How to Insert Multiple Checkbox and Textbox Values into a MySQL Database in PHP?

Inserting Multiple Checkbox and Textbox Array Values into MySQL Database

In PHP, inserting arrays of checkbox and textbox values into a MySQL database can be a challenging task. This article explores the challenges and provides a solution to overcome them, focusing on resolving issues related to unchecked checkboxes and insertions.

The Challenge: Unchecked Checkboxes

The first issue is that the code did not account for unchecked checkboxes. In the original code, it displayed all values, regardless of whether they were ticked, resulting in incorrect data entry.

Using "implode" vs. Indexing

The code initially employed the "implode" function to combine the array values into a comma-separated list, but this approach proved problematic. Implode placed all form elements into each inserted row, repeating this for all checked boxes.

Revising the HTML Form

To resolve this issue, explicit indexes were introduced into the checkbox names, allowing for the association of corresponding elements. This way, the code could relate the checkboxes to the correct item and quantity.

The Problem with MySQLi and mysql_query

Another issue arose due to the use of different database connection APIs. The code opened the connection using MySQLi but attempted insertions using mysql_query, which is associated with the different mysql_connect API.

Improved Code

The provided solution offers a more optimized approach, utilizing prepared statements and parameter binding to execute the insertions correctly. Additionally, it retrieves prices from the database instead of relying on user-supplied values.

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