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Creating HTML forms

PHP course · Beginner · Lesson 100/116

Learn to create forms with method and action attributes.

What is a form?

An HTML form is the structure where a user enters data and sends it to the server. The <form> tag takes two core attributes: method decides how data travels, action decides where it goes. method="post" carries data hidden in the request body; method="get" appends it to the URL.

Inside the form you place <input> fields and a submit button. Every field needs a name attribute; PHP reads the value by that name. Example: <form method="post" action="/register.php"><input type="text" name="username"><input type="submit" value="Send"></form>.

Input fields and name

A form holds various input fields. type="text" makes a single-line text box, type="email" an email box, type="password" a password box (characters show as dots), type="submit" a submit button. Every field needs a name; PHP reaches it inside $_POST by that name.

Example: <input type="email" name="email">. type controls the field behaviour, name sets the key PHP will use. Even the submit button can carry a name: <input type="submit" name="send" value="Send">.

Exercise Print the form HTML with echo

Print an HTML form. Use method="post", action="/register.php". Inside it place <input type="text" name="username"> and <input type="submit" value="Send">. Close the form with </form>. Write everything in a single echo.

Show example solution 
Write the form in a single echo. Use method="post" and action="/register.php", add text and submit inputs inside, close with </form>.
Example solution:
<?php
// Print the form HTML with echo
echo '<form method="post" action="/register.php"><input type="text" name="username"><input type="submit" value="Send"></form>';

Test yourself

  1. Which method should you use to send a password field to the server?

    • GET
    • POST
    • REQUEST
    • FORM
    Show answer

    POST — Correct. POST carries data in the request body, not in the URL; it fits sensitive values like passwords.

  2. Complete the method value in the form tag

    echo '<form method="____" action="/register.php"></form>';
    Show answer 
    echo '<form method="post" action="/register.php"></form>';

  3. Match each form attribute to its purpose

    method
    How data travels
    action
    Where the form goes
    name
    PHP array key
    type
    Field behaviour

All lessons in Beginner

1 PHP basics

  1. What is PHP?
  2. PHP tags
  3. Output with echo
  4. Comments
  5. phpinfo() and PHP version
  6. Summary - PHP basics

2 Variables

  1. Declaring variables
  2. Variable naming rules
  3. Reassigning variables
  4. Combining variables
  5. Checking variables with isset() and unset()
  6. Summary - Variables

3 Data types

  1. string and int
  2. float and bool
  3. null and empty value
  4. Type checking with gettype()
  5. Detailed output with var_dump()
  6. Summary - Data types

4 Project: Calculator

  1. Project: Calculator
  2. Number input and operator selection
  3. Computing the operation
  4. Handling error cases
  5. Project final - Calculator

5 Operators

  1. Arithmetic operators
  2. Assignment operators
  3. Comparison operators
  4. Logical operators
  5. Concatenation and increment
  6. Summary - Operators

6 String basics

  1. Creating strings
  2. Length with strlen()
  3. String concatenation
  4. Variable interpolation in double quotes
  5. Escape sequences
  6. Summary - String basics

7 Conditionals

  1. The if statement
  2. else and elseif
  3. The switch statement
  4. The ternary operator
  5. Comparison pitfalls
  6. Summary - Conditionals

8 Loops

  1. The for loop
  2. The while loop
  3. The do-while loop
  4. The foreach loop
  5. break and continue
  6. Summary - Loops

9 Project: Shopping cart

  1. Project: Shopping cart
  2. Adding products to the cart
  3. Displaying the cart
  4. Computing the total
  5. Project final - Shopping cart

10 Array basics

  1. Creating arrays
  2. Accessing array elements
  3. Element count with count()
  4. Array output with print_r()
  5. Iterating an array
  6. Summary - Array basics

11 Array methods

  1. array_push() and array_pop()
  2. array_shift() and array_unshift()
  3. Merging with array_merge()
  4. Slicing with array_slice()
  5. in_array() and array_search()
  6. Summary - Array methods

12 Associative arrays

  1. Key-value pairs
  2. Accessing keys
  3. array_keys() and array_values()
  4. Key check with isset()
  5. Iterating associative arrays
  6. Summary - Associative arrays

13 Functions

  1. Defining functions
  2. Calling functions
  3. Returning values
  4. Function scope
  5. Returning arrays from functions
  6. Summary - Functions

14 Parameters

  1. Functions with parameters
  2. Default parameter values
  3. Multiple parameters
  4. Typed parameters
  5. Return type declaration
  6. Summary - Parameters

15 Project: To-do list

  1. Project: To-do list
  2. Adding tasks
  3. Listing tasks
  4. Completing tasks
  5. Project final - To-do list

16 Advanced string methods

  1. Replacing with str_replace()
  2. Slicing with substr()
  3. Searching with strpos()
  4. Splitting with explode()
  5. Joining with implode()
  6. Summary - Advanced string methods

17 Superglobals

  1. What is a superglobal?
  2. Receiving data with $_GET
  3. Receiving data with $_POST
  4. $_SERVER and server info
  5. Everything with $_REQUEST
  6. Summary - Superglobals

18 Forms

  1. Creating HTML forms
  2. Processing form data
  3. Security with htmlspecialchars()
  4. Form validation basics
  5. Showing error messages
  6. Summary - Forms

19 File inclusion

  1. Including files with include
  2. Including files with require
  3. include_once and require_once
  4. __DIR__ and path management
  5. Layout and partial logic
  6. Summary - File inclusion

20 Beginner final

  1. Challenge - Calculator
  2. Challenge - Secure feedback form
  3. Challenge - Array operations
  4. Challenge - Functions and loops
  5. Challenge - Mini CMS