php check text input length and change another input based on length - php

Question

I have an php form utilizing several inputs that is driving a kiosk page. If a text input is blank I want this update a separate input with the word "hidden" If there is text I would like the word "visible" to show. Currently my code works if you click submit twice but will not work on the first submit. Here is my current code:
The if function that is current working on second submit:
if (strlen($something)>0) {
$_POST['someone'] = "visible";
} else {
$_POST['someone'] = "hidden";
}
input form:
<form action="<?php echo $_SERVER['PHP_SELF']; ?>" method="post">
<table>
<tr>
<td>something : </td>
<td><input type="text" id="something" name="something" value="<?php echo htmlspecialchars($something); ?>"/></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td><?php echo $_SERVER['PHP_SELF']; ?></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>someone:</td>
<td><input type="text" id="someone" name="someone" value="<?php echo htmlspecialchars($someone); ?>"/></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td><input type="submit" name='submit' value="Submit"/></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</table>
</form>
Here is the update code:
$usql = "UPDATE test SET something= '".$_POST['something']."', someone= '". $someone ."' WHERE ID='a';";
Currently the "someone" input has a display of none so it cannot be seen by the user. This is not necessary but if someone could tell me how to bypass adding an input altogether and tweak the update statement itself to update something that would be great as well! Thanks!
Any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

Using session variables can save the page state, even after reload.
First page save:
session_start();
$_SESSION['someone'] = $_POST['someone'];
Then:
if(isset($_SESSION['someone']))
{
if (strlen($_SESSION['someone'])>0) {
$_POST['someone'] = "visible";
} else {
$_POST['someone'] = "hidden";
}
}