Dynamic dropdowns using jQuery and PHP

I've reviewed the article by Julian Hansen detailing how to create linked dropdowns using JQuery and PHP. However, how would I go about this if I have the data stored in different folders located on a server?

Ex. Main Folder > Sub Folder > 3rd folder > Document

1st Dropdown list will provide a list of states (list extracted from Main Folder)

2nd Dropdown list will provide a list of cities (list extracted from Subfolder, dependent on 1st dropdown selection)

3rd Dropdown list will provide a list of counties (list extracted from 3rd folder, dependent on 2nd dropdown selection)

4th dropdown list will provide a list of word/excel/pdf documents (list extracted from document, list is dependent on 3rd dropdown selection)

The form should display as a popup form, with submit and clear buttons.

Test.html
Untitled-3.php
Untitled-2.js
T SmithAsked:
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Julian HansenCommented:
The sample will need to change a bit. I put together another sample to demonstrate.

HTML
	Root <select name="root" id="root"></select>
	Sub1 <select name="sub1" id="sub1"></select>
	Sub2 <select name="sub2" id="sub2"></select>

Open in new window

jQuery
<script>
$(function() {
	var root = document.getElementById('root');
	var sub1 = document.getElementById('sub1');
	var sub2 = document.getElementById('sub2');
	loadDD(root, false, false);
	
	$('select').change(function() {
		if (this.id == 'root') {
			sub1.value = sub2.value = '';
			loadDD(root, sub1, false)
		}
		else if (this.id == 'sub1') {
			sub2.value = '';
			loadDD(root, sub1, sub2);
		}
	});
});
function loadDD(root, sub1, sub2)
{
	$.ajax({
		url: 't2884.php',
		data: {
			root: root.value || '',
			sub1: sub1.value || ''
		}
	}).then(function(resp) {
		if (root.value) {
			if (sub1.value) {
				sub2.innerHTML = resp;
			}
			else {
				sub1.innerHTML = resp;
			}
		}
		else {
			root.innerHTML = resp;
		}
	});
}
</script>

Open in new window

PHP
<?php
$path = 't2884/';

$root = isset($_GET['root']) ? $_GET['root'] : false;
$sub1 = isset($_GET['sub1']) ? $_GET['sub1'] : false;

if ($root) $path .= "{$root}/";
if ($sub1) $path .= "{$sub1}/";
$path .= '*';

$dirs = array_filter(glob($path), 'is_dir');
foreach($dirs as $f) {
	$file = basename($f);
	echo <<< OPTION
	<option value="{$file}">{$file}</option>
OPTION;
}

Open in new window

Working sample here
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T SmithAuthor Commented:
Thank you for your response. Do I have to list every document under the root, rather than fetching the data from the folders to display?
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Julian HansenCommented:
Not sure I understand the question? The solution works on a hierarchical folder structure.

To display files in the last drop down you would test for all parameters not false (root and sub1 in the PHP file) - if that is the case then ask for files instead of folders.

I will see if I can update the sample to do that.
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T SmithAuthor Commented:
If you could provide a sample that would be great. Thanks again!
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T SmithAuthor Commented:
Hi - still having problems. Can you assist?
Test_v2.html
t2884.php
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Julian HansenCommented:
I have updated the sample the changes were fairly trivial
Here is the updated PHP file. The only change is to check if both parameters are specified and then to look for files instead of folders
<?php
$path = 't2884/';

// GET THE REQUEST PARAMETERS
$root = isset($_GET['root']) ? $_GET['root'] : false;
$sub1 = isset($_GET['sub1']) ? $_GET['sub1'] : false;

// IGNORE INFANTILE MOTIVATION OF THOSE THAT LIKE TO BREAK THINGS
if (strpos($root, '..') !== false || strpos($sub1, '..') !== false) die("C'mon don't be like that ...");

// ... AND JUST IN CASE THEY ARE REALLY PERSISTANT
$root = preg_replace('/[^A-Za-z0-9 ]/', '', $root);
$sub1 = preg_replace('/[^A-Za-z0-9 ]/', '', $sub1);

if ($root) $path .= "{$root}/";
if ($sub1) $path .= "{$sub1}/";
$path .= '*';

// ASSUME WE ARE LOOKING FOR FOLDERS
$flag = 'is_dir';
// IF root AND sub THEN WE ARE WE LOOKING FOR FILES
if ($root && $sub1) {
	$flag = 'is_file';
}

// GET THE ITEMS AND FILL THE ARRAY
$items = array_filter(glob($path), $flag);

echo <<< OPTION
  <option "">-- Select --</option>
OPTION;
foreach($items as $f) {
  $file = basename($f);
  echo <<< OPTION
    <option value="{$file}">{$file}</option>
OPTION;
}

Open in new window


Updated sample here
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T SmithAuthor Commented:
Thank you! Is this possible to fetch the data locally rather than fetching from the file server? If so can you provide a sample for that? Lastly, how do I open the document (word, excel, pdf, etc.) when the user clicks a button?
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Julian HansenCommented:
You can't for local files - the security model of the browser (for obvious reasons) prevents script having access to local resources.
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T SmithAuthor Commented:
It was a pleasure working with Julian!
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Julian HansenCommented:
Thank you and, you are most welcome.
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