Next step in submitting an HTML form

[spotted zebra]

I have heard many different approaches to submitting an HTML form. I am currently at the most basic. I am able to create the form in HTML and use javascript to do a very simple validation check and submit it with the 'mailto:' action in the form.

Noobish i know, right? well i have read about more sophisticated ways of doing this by passing it to the server and then it will email to the given email address. what is the simplest way to get this done? a .cgi script? php?

i don't know any server side code yet... Should i learn some of that and then come back and ask this again? what server side code should i learn, php?

thanks in advance for the advice.

[kurby]

PHP is always a good starting point, and a simple mail script shouldn't be too hard to figure out.

Read something like this: http://www.w3schools.com/php/php_mail.asp

[spotted zebra]

that's where i was headed to learn. i like to start from the beginning though so i understand all of it. im not looking to be a 'script kiddie' i want to actually know what is going on.

thanks for the link.

[Major Payne]

Use a server-side script language if your web site allows it. Otherwise, you will have to use a client-side dependent "mailto:" action to get the form info sent to you.

Your current hosting package MUST allow SMTP ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Mail_Transfer_Protocol ) to work. Otherwise, no email can be sent.

Use any of the below sites to make the workable form you need:

For making forms:

These are really good online form makers. Just follow the instructions for making it and uploading file(s).

http://www.jotform.com/?gclid=CNKhqei1wJ4CFRQhnAod6laUqA (WYSIWYG Form Maker)
http://www.thesitewizard.com/wizards/feedbackform.shtml
Ajax - Creating an HTML Form: http://www.tizag.com/ajaxTutorial/ajaxform.php
http://www.phpform.org/
http://www.tele-pro.co.uk/scripts/contact_form/

http://www.thepcmanwebsite.com/form_mail.shtml
http://emailmeform.com/
http://www.freecontactform.com/
http://www.reconn.us/content/view/12/34/ (Download - Contact Us Script)
http://formsmarts.com/

http://apptools.com/phptools/forms/forms1.php
Form Service: http://www.mycontactform.com/
Online Free Tool, PHP Contact Form Code Generator: http://www.htmlbasix.com/contactform.shtml
PHP Mailer Script Step by Step: http://www.htmlgoodies.com/beyond/php/article.php/3855686
PHP Sending E-mails: http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/php_mail.asp

Freebie: Good looking Fluid Contact Form: http://www.flashuser.net/flash-components/freebie-good-looking-flash-contact-form.html