HTML Form/Database query

Question

Hi,

I am having some trouble with some code I am trying to implement. Any help would be much appreciated.

In a database table I have 2 fields:

1. postcode
2. area

Every postcode is related to an area.

On a HTML form I have an input field. Users enter their postcode into this field.

My question: what is the best/safest/easiest method, when a user has entered their postcode, to assign it it’s area?

For example:

1. User enters their postcode
2. onSubmit the postcode is assigned an area. This can be in a hidden field.

Cheers in advance.

Answer 1

Do you really need the area at this stage? Why put it in a hidden field?

When you store the postcode in a database table there is no need at all to store the area, because it could/should be retrieved with a query.

When you want to store the area in a cookie, lookup the area once and store it.

Or maybe I didn't understand your problem correctly...