… just in case anybody is interested the issue was that php requires xhtml/html forms to append the two [ ] characters after the multiple select tags name attribute if you desire multiple entries in one select list to be submitted succesfully through the php CGI (common gateway interface) interface to a php array.
For example (forgive lack of full xhtml tag details):
<select name=”fruits”>
<option>Apple</option>
<option>Banana</option>
</select>
Must be defined:
<select name=”fruits[]”>
<option>Apple</option>
<option>Banana</option>
</select>
I can’t remember off-hand the full technical details in my current situation however this is not the issue – essentially this is disrespectful of the xhtml specifications as it imposes a proprietary requirement on what is already an extensible specification/language (this is not the only example I’m sure). Strictly speaking I believe if php designers wish a proprietary form of html that suits their specific language requirements then define a subset of xhtml – say xphtml or something – and work from there. And make it clear in introductory php texts.
And don’t even think about forcing this down a pure html coders throat.
Otherwise I am mostly impressed with php.