conditional next_form page

[lucieb]

The second method which has no restrictions or limitation is to use the Computation Module. If you true flexibility for your form to perform anything you can imagine, then this add-on is worth every penny. It utilizes your typical “IF THEN ELSE” statements making almost limitless on what you can do with it.

Are you saying that in oder to have IF THEN ELSE statements I aboslutely have to have the Computation Module? Or does that apply only do to IF TEHN ELSE statements directly in the "FORM" code?

If I use the Javascript that ewel explained in the first part of this thread and I have an "ELSE" condition to go to an error page, will that work without the Computation Module?

Any help would be appreciated.

Lucie

[Elso]

Hi Lucie

Your short answer is "no", you do not absolutely need the Computation Module.

Perhaps a little clarification will help you see things in prospective.
You can always use JavaScript to perform most all of the functions you can do with Computation Module and then some.

There is a reason why I and many others don't want to relay on "JS" is some visitors could have their JS turned off in their browser. It's a security thing. JS scripts normally run in the user's browser rather then on the server. This means the script is run on the user's computer and any time you allow an external script to run on your local system, it creates a potential security hole. In other words, some one could write a harmful JS that could harm the user's computer.

With that in mind, if you are serious about wanting your forms to work for everybody, you don't want them to be JS dependent. JS is great to add some flare to any form or web page, but to handle critical tasks, php is a better choice.

Php runs on the server rather then in the user's browser making it not browser dependent like JS.

Back to your original question; Russell had developed formmail and the Computation Module so we don't need a heavy knowledge of php. He has done the legwork for us. If you know php scripting then you can do whatever you want with conditions along with many other functions without Computation Module. Or, you can use JS if you choose.

I like the Computation Module very much for the main reason is it DOES simplify a lot of tasks.

One thing you won't get from a php script like formmail & Computation Module that you do get from JavaScript is "real time" live page interaction.
JS has the option to update a page immediately where as php needed to load, unload or refresh a page to show the update.

Hope this helps sort things out
elso
www.elsographics.com

[lucieb]

Dear Elso,

Thanks for your reply. It helps a bit. I have dabbled in a bit of PHP coding and JS...mostly have done simple HTML. I am self-taught and took on the Webmaster task at work because no one else would do it.

I will sit down with my boss and figure out what our best way forward is. I know that she wants the site to be more and more interactive...

Hopefully I will find a way to get my code working properly soon whichever type of coding I decide to use.

Thanks again!

Lucie

[Elso]

Good luck to you. My recommendation would be to use formmail and all it's features included, then after everything is functioning, tie in some JS to add your real time "flare".

Formmail does handle simple conditions without the Computation Module. This includes error handling as well (with your own error pages)
If you are looking to have a variable "next_form" value, depending on your form, there are ways to do this as well without the Computation Module.

I too am self taught (but with a lot of hired assistance from Russell)

Feel free to post any questions or obstacles you have with Formmail here and we will point you in the direction you need.

Please first read:
http://www.tectite.com/fmdoc/creating_forms.php (Lot of detail here you will find useful)
http://www.tectite.com/fmhowto/guides.php (How-To-Guide)

elso
http://www.elsographics.com/