How to Limit Text Characters in PHP?

[JackieB]

I've searched previous threads. Most mention a way to limit character input by setting parameters in phpmyadmin or SQL database.

I have these options, but have never used them.

Isn't there a way to just add a command to this string?

<tr>
<td width="150" align="right" valign="top"><strong><?php echo"$Submit_LinkDescription";?></strong></td>
<td width="350" colspan="2" align="left" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<textarea name="desc" cols="40" rows="6" wrap="VIRTUAL" id="desc"></textarea>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>

[ironik]

If this input is part of a form, you can limit the number of characters permitted by using strlen() after the form is submitted.

e.g.
$charLimit = 500;
if (strlen($_POST['desc']) <= $charLimit)
{
// do something
} else {
// do error
}

I don't think you can limit the number of characters you input into the actual textarea html, unless you dodgy it up with some javascript, even then it can be surpassed easily.

[dreamcatcher]

If you have a preview function, you can use substr() to display only the amount of characters you want. Or just use is to insert the limit, whichever you choose:

$desc = $_POST['desc'];

$text = substr($desc,0,100);

echo $text;

This would show only the first 100 characters.

dc