I would advise setting it up like a "wizard" dialog .... with Next, Previous, Cancel buttons. Use client variables to store state until the final step.
Chris Combs -----Original Message----- From: Cornillon, Matthieu [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, January 28, 2002 5:49 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: multi-page forms Hi. I am building a login/registration system for the Intranet site that I manage. In order to collect user data from new users, I am creating a multi-page form. I am breaking into multiple pages to make it less overwhelming for the user. But this introduces the issue of passing variables from page to page. I see several options open to me, but I was wondering whether there were any thoughts out there (I'm sure there are plenty!) as to which is the best option, what pitfalls may exist, etc. What most concerns me is the likely-to-be-very-common occurrence of users backing up through the process to revise data. I am concerned that it will be a major headache to keep track of things when there are so many options for how the user might get to each page (e.g., "got to page 2 by submitting page 1" or "got to page 2 by clicking back button on page 3", etc.) The options I see: A) Pass all variables through forms from page to page, using hidden variables on page 2 to pass the variables from page 1, etc. Variables from each page would be validated as the first step of the next page. At the end of the multi-page form, all of these accumulated variables are written to the SQL database. B) Each page's submit button sends the form to an action page which validates the data, puts it in session variables, and sends the user on to the next page. At the end of the multi-page form, the values of the session variables are passed to the database. C) Like option B, but variables are written to temporary SQL table record instead of to temporary session variable. Thoughts? Thanks, ______________________________________________________________________ Dedicated Windows 2000 Server PIII 800 / 256 MB RAM / 40 GB HD / 20 GB MO/XFER Instant Activation � $99/Month � Free Setup http://www.pennyhost.com/redirect.cfm?adcode=coldfusiona FAQ: http://www.thenetprofits.co.uk/coldfusion/faq Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/index.cfm?sidebar=lists
