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I am not allowed to use Javascript . I have to change a CGI web firm HTML select control functions after a user choose an option,

I am not allowed to use Javascript . I have to change a CGI web firm HTML select control functions after a user choose an option,
Here is the source code:

def output_select(name,options,fields):
print '<td><select id= "%s" name="%s" value = "selectvalue" class="Required" onchange="usgsChanged(this);" >' % (name,name)
output_select_options(name,options,fields);
print '</select></td>'

def output_select_options(name,options,fields,rc=2):
selected = fields.get(name,'')
selected = selected.strip()
if debug:
print "SELECTED " + selected
if len(fields) > 0 and 'phase' in fields: # and fields['phase'] == "1":
goforit = True
else:
goforit = False
for value,text in options:
if value==selected or text==selected:
bar = 'selected="selected"'
else:
bar = ""
print ' <option value="%s" %s>%s</option>' % \
(value,bar,text)
if rc == 2:
print '<script type="text/javascript">document.getElementById(\'%s\').innerHTML = "";</script>'% (name)
url = os.environ["REQUEST_URI"]
if debug:
print url
url = 'https://eecsappsrv.mit.edu/' + url
if debug:
print url
valuestr = urlparse(url).query
if goforit and len(valuestr) > 0:
fields[name] = urllib.unquote(valuestr)
output_select_options(name,options,fields,1)

Please suggest to me how to replace the javascript with Python and HTML.
Thank you.
frankc123

camster123Senior C++ Software EngineerAsked: 2014-11-25

Who is Participating?

LVL 84

Dave BaldwinFixer of ProblemsCommented: 2014-11-25

You can not make it act the same with Python and HTML. Javascript running in the browser can make changes without reloading the page. When you user a server-side language like Python, PHP, or ASP, the page must be submitted with every change until you are done.

camster123Senior C++ Software EngineerAuthor Commented: 2014-11-25

@Dave Baldwin,
Thank you very much for your expert comment.
i was wondering if you could share your idea on how to make the page must be submitted with every change until you are done. Your English is better than mine.
Thank you .
@frankc123

LVL 84

Dave BaldwinFixer of ProblemsCommented: 2014-11-25

First, make a list of all the selections and responses. Then you have to make a series of pages. You submit the first one and when you respond from the server it contains the data selected on the first page and the data to be selected for the second page. In PHP, I would keep track of the selections from each page in Session variables so I could respond with the previous data on each page and send the data on the last page.

It can be kind of complicated because on each page you have to check and see if the data was previously posted and include it in the current request. That is the only way to include previous selections. Also, each page must be posted to an intermediate page which collects the information and redirects the user to the next appropriate page. Without the intermediate page that the user never sees, you will have problems when the user click on the back button.

camster123Senior C++ Software EngineerAuthor Commented: 2014-11-26

@Dave Baldwin,
Thank you very much for your expert comment.
I believe your expert comment refers to multiple pages.
My web form has only one page.
Thank you.
frankc123

LVL 11

Jim RiddlesPrepress/OMS SpecialistCommented: 2014-11-26

frankc123, unfortunately for you, Dave is spot on. What you are looking for is client-side interaction. However, you will need to use a client-side language to achieve that functionality.

The only alternative is to use multiple form pages to achieve a similar result.

If you don't mind, can I ask you why you are unable to use JavaScript? Are your visitors guaranteed to have JavaScript disabled? Is it an internal company policy? Whatever the case, the behavior you seek is not available without using a client-side language.

camster123Senior C++ Software EngineerAuthor Commented: 2014-11-26

@Jim Riddles,
Thank you for your help. I apologize for trying to verify that Mr. Dave Baldwin referred to multiple form pages.

>>If you don't mind, can I ask you why you are unable to use JavaScript?
The reason is exactly as you stated: "Are your visitors guaranteed to have JavaScript disabled?"
Thank you again for your expert comment today.
frankc123

LVL 84

Dave BaldwinFixer of ProblemsCommented: 2014-11-26

I am definitely talking about multiple pages. If you can't use javascript, then every change must have it's own page that is processed on the server. It may be only one page with javascript but it won't be if you have to do all that on the server instead.