Codeigniter Form Validation...form re-population

Question

I am in the process of creating an input form on a record specific page e.g. (property/rentals/rec_id). On submission, the data should be inserted, validated and return to the original page from which it was sent with any relevant messages.

• If the validation fails, reload the form page a re-populate the form

• Echo the specific validation error - e.g. invalid email address etc

• If successful, insert data, reload the page and display success message.

  function class() {

  $this->load->library('form_validation');    
  $this->form_validation->set_rules('name','name','required|trim');
  $this->form_validation->set_rules('email','email','required|trim|valid_email');
  
  $fields['name'] = 'Name';
  $fields['email'] = 'Email Address';
  
  $this->validation->set_fields($fields);
  
  if ($this->form_validation->run() == FALSE) 
  {
      //failed - reload page and re-populate fields with any error messages
  }
  else
  {
       // display form with success message
  }
  

  }

Normally this is simply done by 'loading a view' and passing the relevant data to repopulate the page, fields or display messages. But I have to use a 'redirect' back to the product specific page. Is there any good way to do this other than using session data to carry the validation errors..?

Thanks in advance, Michael

Answer 1

You may use the set_value('field_name') function to re-populate the form. Sample usage in view:

<input type="text name="name" value="<?php echo set_value('name'); ?>" />"

To display the errors from the form_validation, you may use the validation_errors() function. Sample usage in view:

<?php echo validation_errors(); ?>

Also, see link text for more info.

Answer 2

Take a look at the CodeIgniter manual on Sessions and see if 'FlashData' is of any use.