Building or creating dynamic drop down

Experts,

I need to build a dynamic dropdown list based on the selection of a other dropdown. Also I don't want to submit
the form since I have other data entry field on my form and don't want to lose the user entered data.
What is the best way to achive it using CF and/or Java Script. An example would really help to save the time since it is kind of urgent.

My first query is : select state from mydatabse.states
My second query is : select counties from mydatabase.counties where state = #state#

Thanks in Advance
Tpaul_10Asked:
Who is Participating?

[Product update] Infrastructure Analysis Tool is now available with Business Accounts.Learn More

x
I wear a lot of hats...

"The solutions and answers provided on Experts Exchange have been extremely helpful to me over the last few years. I wear a lot of hats - Developer, Database Administrator, Help Desk, etc., so I know a lot of things but not a lot about one thing. Experts Exchange gives me answers from people who do know a lot about one thing, in a easy to use platform." -Todd S.

srikanthmadishettiCommented:
Tpaul_10Author Commented:
Thanks for the quick reply and example srikanthmadishetti:
Right now I am not using or don't want to use the CFC. So, can I just use the fuction in that example and build my second drop down in the same page? with regular HTML instead of CFSELCT etc.?
gdemariaCommented:

cf_twoselectsrelated

a CF custom tag that creates the javascript for you..

All you do is write a query that has a join between both items you want to display.  For example,  a query "getProducts" is a list of products and the options available to that product (let's say SIZE : small, medium...)

Then you just fill in the fields :
   Name - the form's field name
   Display - the column that will be show to the user in the select tag
   Value - the column that will be the value of the select tag
   emptytext - what should appear when nothing is selected
   selected - the value of the field that should be shown when loaded
   formName - the name of the form the select tags are put into
   htmlBetween - any HTML that you want to appear between the two select tags, for example, maybe they are columns in a table so you would put </td><td> between the tags



<cf_twoselectsrelated query="getProducts"
   name1="product_id"
   name2="size_id"
   display1="productName"
   display2="optionName"
   value1="company_id"
   value2="annuity_id"
   emptyText1="- Select a Product -"
   emptyText2="- Select a Size"
   selected1="#variables.product_id#"
   selected2="#variables.size_id#"
   htmlBetween="</td><td>"
   formName="myForm"
   >

Open in new window

Experts Exchange Solution brought to you by

Your issues matter to us.

Facing a tech roadblock? Get the help and guidance you need from experienced professionals who care. Ask your question anytime, anywhere, with no hassle.

Start your 7-day free trial
OWASP Proactive Controls

Learn the most important control and control categories that every architect and developer should include in their projects.

Start Today!
Brijesh ChauhanStaff IT EngineerCommented:
>>Right now I am not using or don't want to use the CFC. So, can I just use the fuction in that example and build my second drop down in the same page? with regular HTML instead of CFSELCT etc.?

You can bind it to a CFM.. try below example

your form.cfm

<cfform name="UserForm" method="post" format="html">
  <select name="CategorySearch">
  	<option value="1">Test1</option>
    <option value="2">Test2</option>
   </select> 
   <cfselect width="50" name="SubCategories" bind="url:test.cfm?keyword={CategorySearch}" display="name" value="Aid" />
</cfform>

Open in new window


Create a file test.cfm which will have the query to pull the information for second select

   <cfset Category = queryNew("Aid, name")>
   <cfset queryAddRow(Category,1)>
   <cfset querySetCell(Category,'Aid',1)>
   <cfset querySetCell(Category,'name','Test1')>
   <cfset queryAddRow(Category,1)>
   <cfset querySetCell(Category,'Aid',2)>
   <cfset querySetCell(Category,'name','Test2')>
   

<cfquery name="getCatregory" dbtype="query">
	select Aid, name
    from Category
    where Aid = #url.keyword#
</cfquery>

<cfoutput>
#serializeJSON(getCatregory)#
</cfoutput>

Open in new window

srikanthmadishettiCommented:
@brijesh Good to see you in EE :)

@Tpaul
>>>Right now I am not using or don't want to use the CFC. So, can I just use the fuction in that example and build my second drop down in the same page? with regular HTML instead of CFSELCT etc.?


Is there any specific reason for not using the cfselect or cfc

First it will be just few lines of code and second cfc will help you to reuse this code any where .

You can use it any form which has the state and country drop downs .

Gurpreet Singh RandhawaCEOCommented:
Tpaul_10Author Commented:
I have old cold fusion code and the site is going away soon. So, no CFCs and don't want to spend money for buying the code -:(

I may look in to writing a custom tag, but need to find out if the tables are related to have one query.
May be an example would be helpful.

gdemariaCommented:
I provided you with a custom tag:   cf_twoselectsrelated

 http://projects.nateweiss.com/nwdc/workcode.htm

> but need to find out if the tables are related to have one query

The would have to be related, wouldn't they?   Otherwise, you don't need two related select tags, you could just do two distinctly seperate tags, right?

Tpaul_10Author Commented:
Sorry about the delay and Thanks for all your inputs.
I was able to created a custom tag successfully with the exaple provided by gdemaria. THANKS.

now the problem is , if I go bak and edit my order, I should be able to pre-select the options which I have selected originally like following.
<option value="#myvalue#" <cfif #ListFind(preselectedValue,query2.value1)#> #SELECTED</cfif>>#myvalue#</option>                   

I am going to try it by adding another parameters to my customtag and use the similar condition like above. But if you have a better solution, please update me.

Thanks
gdemariaCommented:
the custom tag has two parameters selected1 and selected2 representing the current values of the two select tags
Tpaul_10Author Commented:
THANKS gdemaria.
Based on my requirements, your answer gave me the complete solution eventhough others have provided with different soluctions
It's more than this solution.Get answers and train to solve all your tech problems - anytime, anywhere.Try it for free Edge Out The Competitionfor your dream job with proven skills and certifications.Get started today Stand Outas the employee with proven skills.Start learning today for free Move Your Career Forwardwith certification training in the latest technologies.Start your trial today
ColdFusion Language

From novice to tech pro — start learning today.