What I am trying to do is have user-input (from an HTML form) appended to a CSV file


I looked at the manual for fputcsv() and I am scratching my head.

Instead of confusing you with my crappy-code, perhaps I can have someone show or explain to me how to store field names to a multi-dimensional array, so I can run the built-in fputscv function with success.

Does it have to be multi-dimensional array?

Here is an example with single array:

PHP Code:

$ar_fields = array('field_name1', 'field_name2', 'field_name3'); // name of the html fields (must be correct)

foreach($_POST as $key => $value) { // assuming you are using POST method
     if(in_array($key, $ar_fields)) {
          $$key = $value;
     }
} 


After that you call the array with $ar_fields['field_name1'], $ar_fields['field_name2']...

Or in your case list the array while you write to csv file.

PHP Code:

$fp = fopen('file.csv', 'w');

reset($ar_fields);
while(list($key, $value) = each($ar_fields)) {
     fputcsv($fp, $value);
}
fclose($fp); 


Someone correct me if im wrong with csv writing.

it aint workin' mang...

This is a shortcut of what I got.

PHP Code:

 
<?php
 
// if submit, send to CSV
if(isset($_POST['submit']))
 
//configure CSV input
$ar_fields = array('practice_name', 'num_prov', 'num_staff', 'num_rooms');
foreach($_POST as $key => $value) {
     if(in_array($key, $ar_fields)) { 
          $key = $value; 
     } 
} 
$fp = fopen('data.csv', 'w'); 
reset($ar_fields); 
while(list($key, $value) = each($ar_fields)) { 
     fputcsv($fp, $value); 
} 
fclose($fp);
 
?>
 
<form name=form  action="form.php" method="POST">
    <table border="0" align="left" cellpadding="11">
    <tr valign="top">
        <td>
        <p><FONT COLOR="#54C571">Name of practice:</FONT></p>
        </td>
        <td><input type="text" name="practice_name" value="<?Php echo $_POST['practice_name']; ?>" />
        </td>
    </tr>
 
<tr valign="top">
        <td>
        <p>Number of providers:</p>
        </td>
        <td><input type="text" name="num_prov" value="<?Php echo $_POST['num_prov']; ?>"/>
        </td>
</tr>
 
<tr valign="top">
        <td>
        <p><FONT COLOR="#54C571">Number of staff:</FONT></p>
        </td>
        <td><input type="text" name="num_staff" value="<?Php echo $_POST['num_staff']; ?>" />
        </td>
</tr>
 
 <tr valign="top">
        <td>
        <p><FONT COLOR="#54C571">Number of exam rooms:</FONT></p>
        </td>
        <td><input type="text" name="num_rooms" value="<?Php echo $_POST['num_rooms']; ?>" />
        </td>
</tr>
 
</table>
</form>

the err I keep getting is: "Warning: fputcsv() expects parameter 2 to be array"

How is it NOT an array?

forgot to include the submit button in my HTML form, but you get the point.

php.net shows fputcsv as a buggy built-in function, particularly on windows servers.

So i'm going to build a work-around.

What i'm going to do is store the HTML field names to variables, and INSERT them into MySQL

Then, export MySQL table names and rows as a CSV file

How do you plan to export mysql to csv?
You still need to use fputcsv.

Second parameter for fputcsv needs to be an array.
By looking at the examples...you need to build array into an array.
My example above is for single array thats why it isn't working.

Originally Posted by miki86

How do you plan to export mysql to csv?
You still need to use fputcsv.

MySQL data can be accessed through the browser as a CSV, without using built-in function fputcsv.

Originally Posted by miki86

By looking at the examples...you need to build array into an array.
My example above is for single array thats why it isn't working.

do you mean: Multi-Dimensional?

Yeah Multi-Dimensional array.

Look at the first example on php.net

btw you have an error on my example:

PHP Code:

 if(in_array($key, $ar_fields)) { 
          $key = $value; 
     } 


It needs to be double dollar sign in front of key if you want to change the value:

PHP Code:

 if(in_array($key, $ar_fields)) { 
          $$key = $value; 
     } 


ARG, I deprecated it without a second thought, believing you made a syntax error. lol