Database Paging and Checkboxes

[rtgordon]

I am trying to implement a solution similar to what best buy and many others use. I have many pages of results displayed each with checkboxes. The user can select several items and then click compare to compare the checked items. I currently have this working with javascript, but only for the current page. I need for the user to be able to check boxes on multiple pages and go back and uncheck boxes before comparing the items.

I just want to determine the best way to approach this. I am thinking that using session variables will help, but I am not sure about a couple of things.

So, for starters, what is the best way to approach this one?

Thanks!

gordon

 

[vongrunt]

If pages have enabled session state, and cookies are required in order to view a site - use session.

Also think about how to store list of checked items (delimited string, array and dictionary are some of options), and how to make these generic functionalities:

- add item to checked list
- remove item from checked list
- check if specified item is already on the list

 

[rtgordon]

Thanks for the propmt reply!

these are some of the things i have been thinking about. When the page is loaded,
If I have an array or string with values,
I check my array or string to see what values are in there and if any match the current page,
I set the appropriate checks in the corresponding boxes,

If I go to another page,
I take all the boxes I selected and add them to my array or string,

If I submit,
I go to the compare page,
I take the list and add last checked items,
I process results.

My main stumbling point is that when I submit the page, It goes to an existing page and is expecting all of the sku's to be in a formatted string.

Secondly, how do i go about linking to another page, and passing the checked value in if the page I am linking to is different than the form submission page? I mean I have two pages. partlist.asp and partcompare.asp partlist calls itself with a dynamic page number and when the user clicks compare, the form is submitted to the comparison page.

 

[rtgordon]

i suppose i could have the form page submit to itself,
build the session string/array,
check to see if the user clicked compare

if the user clicked compare,
redirect to the compare page,
pull the values from the session

This would work I think, but it doesn't seem like the best method. Any better ideas?

Thanks!
gordon