Keep values after page reload of javascript - php

Question

I know this is a topic where you can find tons of answers for... I spent now quite some time to search for the solution I am looking for.
I have a PHP file with a form. This PHP file uses a JavaScript for a drop down pre-selection.
Means: If a user selects a value in drop-down1 then there is a limited selection in drop-down2.
This JavaScript definitely needs to reload the PHP file for changing the values of the second drop-down2 list.
The question is now: How can I keep the entered values of the user in the form, after the JavaScript has been executed. Currently all entered data get lost.
One option would be to set all values into the URL and grab them with GET. Yes.. that would be an option but as I am using 13 values, the URL would look not too nice. I don't want to user to take notice of what happens.
I cant use the POST, as I don't push the posting button.. it's just the JavaScript that gets executed and reloads the page.
I thought about filling the Session with the entered data but that is not directly possible as JavaScript is on the client side and the session is on the server side.
Do you have any suggestions?
Form Example:
First Name (text box) Last Name (text box) Age (drop-down) Sex (drop-down)
Province (JS drop down) District (JS drop down) Commune (JS drop down) Village (JS drop down)
Transf.from (drop down) Health Center (text box) Ambulance (drop-down) Self.transferred (drop down) SEND BUTTON
dynmicoptionlist.js code:
//Set parameters for provinces selection
function reload1(form) {
var val1=form.provinces.options[form.provinces.options.selectedIndex].value;
//Get the current URL
var url1=window.location.href;
//Check if the current URL has the search term in it (-1 means it is not in it)
if(url1.search("&provinces=") != -1) {
//Now that the search term was found, cut the search term from the URL so that it can be replaced
//This is necessary for multiple selections in the same drop down box
var url2 = url1.substr(0,url1.search("&provinces="));
//If the user has selected "Please select", then dont add the provinces parameter
if(val1 == "") {
//Create the new URL
self.location= url2
}
else {
//Create the new URL
self.location= url2 + "&provinces=" + val1 ;
}
}
else {
//The search term was not found, so just add the provinces
self.location= url1 + "&provinces=" + val1;
}
}
//Set parameters for districts selection
function reload2(form) {
var val1=form.provinces.options[form.provinces.options.selectedIndex].value;
var val2=form.districts.options[form.districts.options.selectedIndex].value;
//Get the current URL
var url1=window.location.href;
//Check if the current URL has the search term in it (-1 means it is not in it)
if(url1.search("&districts=") != -1) {
//Now that the search term was found, cut the search term from the URL so that it can be replaced
//This is necessary for multiple selections in the same drop down box
var url2 = url1.substr(0,url1.search("&districts="));
//If the user has selected "Please select", then dont add the provinces parameter
if(val2 == "") {
//Create the new URL
self.location= url2
}
else {
//Create the new URL
self.location= url2 + "&districts=" + val2 ;
}
}
else {
//The search term was not found, so just add the districts
self.location= url1 + "&districts=" + val2;
}
}
//Set parameters for communes selection
function reload3(form) {
var val1=form.provinces.options[form.provinces.options.selectedIndex].value;
var val2=form.districts.options[form.districts.options.selectedIndex].value;
var val3=form.communes.options[form.communes.options.selectedIndex].value;
//Get the current URL
var url1=window.location.href;
//Check if the current URL has the search term in it (-1 means it is not in it)
if(url1.search("&communes=") != -1) {
//Now that the search term was found, cut the search term from the URL so that it can be replaced
//This is necessary for multiple selections in the same drop down box
var url2 = url1.substr(0,url1.search("&communes="));
//If the user has selected "Please select", then dont add the provinces parameter
if(val3 == "") {
//Create the new URL
self.location= url2
}
else {
//Create the new URL
self.location= url2 + "&communes=" + val3 ;
}
}
else {
//The search term was not found, so just add the communes
self.location= url1 + "&communes=" + val3;
}
}
On behalf of JohnP's suggestion here are my changes so far:
I've added the onload function to fill the hidden field with a value:
<body onload=\"setValue()\">
The JavaScript filling the value looks like this:
<script type=\"text/javascript\">
function setValue() {
document.getElementById(\"dyndrpdwnhidden\").value=\"createPatient\";
}
</script>
In my form I've added the hidden field:
<input type=\"hidden\" id=\"dyndrpdwnhidden\">
To get the values out of the form's input fields in my JavaScript dynmicoptionlist.js above I've used as an example:
var entry_date = form.entry_date.value;

Answer 1

Maybe you try to use SESSION? The session data will not disappear even on page refresh or redirect.
To keep any data:
session_start();
$_SESSION['data']=$_POST['data_from_previous_page'];
To read it at any page:
session_start();
$_SESSION['data'];
To clear all session data:
unset($_SESSION);
if (isset($_COOKIE[session_name()])) {
setcookie(session_name(), '', time()-42000, '/');
}
session_destroy();

Answer 2

Why not just make your JS submit the form? That will make the variables available, and you can activate the second dropdown by looking at the post data instead of the $_GET data that the JS sends.

Answer 3

use localStorage https://www.w3schools.com/jsref/obj_storage.asp
Storage Object
The Storage object of the Web Storage API provides access to the session storage or local storage for a particular domain. This allows you to read, add, modify, and delete stored data items.