The search contains only results for the submitted search input value.

Question

Hi, I'd be happy to help you with your search script if possible.

I have a search function that retrieves data about vehicles from the database using three types of search inputs and a submit button.

Input 1: option list search (searcha)

Input 2: text search (searchb)

Input 3: two single Select button to select search (you can select one or two buttons)

There is also a submit button.

When I submit a search, the following PHP code runs. It will display the results, but only if they match the first correct result in the database. I want it to be able to search results that only contain the submitted search input value.

For example, if I select an option from input 1 and a radio button from input 3, the search should only find rows containing both values ​​(if that makes sense).

<?
//Vehicles
if (in_array($_POST['searcha'], $search_a_option_list)) {
    $stmt = $pdo->prepare('SELECT * FROM coun WHERE inth = ?');
    $stmt->execute([ $_POST['searcha'] ]);
    $search_results = $stmt->fetchAll(PDO::FETCH_ASSOC);
} else if ($_POST['searchb']) {
    $stmt = $pdo->prepare('SELECT * FROM coun WHERE bunty LIKE ?');
    $stmt->execute([ '%' . $_POST['searchb'] . '%' ]);
    $search_results = $stmt->fetchAll(PDO::FETCH_ASSOC);
} else if (isset($_POST['radio1'], $_POST['radio2'])) {
    $stmt = $pdo->prepare('SELECT * FROM coun WHERE ref = ? OR ref1 = ?');
    $stmt->execute([ 'In', 'On' ]);
    $search_results = $stmt->fetchAll(PDO::FETCH_ASSOC);
} else if (isset($_POST['radio1'])) {
    $stmt = $pdo->prepare('SELECT * FROM coun WHERE ref = ?');
    $stmt->execute([ 'In' ]);
    $search_results = $stmt->fetchAll(PDO::FETCH_ASSOC);
} else if (isset($_POST['radio2'])) {
    $stmt = $pdo->prepare('SELECT * FROM coun WHERE ref1 = ?');
    $stmt->execute([ 'On' ]);
    $search_results = $stmt->fetchAll(PDO::FETCH_ASSOC);
} else {
    $error = 'No options selected!';
}
?>

Is there an easy way to adjust this script to reflect the entered search? I'm just starting to learn PHP, so a proper guide would be perfect. Thanks.

Answer 1

First of all, I don't understand how to select two radio buttons at the same time, do you mean checkboxes? Regarding your question - anyway, you should execute a query, but build it based on your $_POST value

maybe like this:

// make an empty array to hold all the conditions
$whereValues = [];

// populate the array with conditions
if (in_array($_POST['searcha'], $search_a_option_list)) {
    $whereValues[] = "inth = '$_POST[searcha]'";
} else if ($_POST['searchb']) {
    $whereValues[] = "bunty LIKE '%$_POST[searchb]%'"
} else if (isset($_POST['radio1'], $_POST['radio2'])) {
    $whereValues[] = "ref = 'In' OR ref1 = 'On'"
} else if (isset($_POST['radio1'])) {
    $whereValues[] = "ref = 'In'"
} else if (isset($_POST['radio2'])) {
    $whereValues[] = "ref1 = 'On'"
} 

// if we have something then build the result string of `WHERE` conditions
if ($whereValues) {
    $where = implode(' AND ', $whereValues);
    $stmt = $pdo->prepare("SELECT * FROM coun WHERE $where");
    $stmt->execute();
    $search_results = $stmt->fetchAll(PDO::FETCH_ASSOC);
} else {
    $error = 'No options selected!';
}