PHP
Creating HTML forms
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
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Which method should you use to send a password field to the server?
Show answer
POST — Correct. POST carries data in the request body, not in the URL; it fits sensitive values like passwords.
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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>';
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Match each form attribute to its purpose
- method
- How data travels
- action
- Where the form goes
- name
- PHP array key
- type
- Field behaviour
Next lesson: Processing form data
