passing parameter in hyperlink - setting form.submit = whatever ?

[Dax_Trajero]

I know regular parameters can be passed via a URL

but I have a "checkout" button. The only way to view the checkout screen is to goto the shoppingCart form and click the submit button "checkout"

Is there a way I can create a link for the user, to click on a"checkout" button, without having to goto the above screen ?

eg. <a href="shoppingCart?form.submit="checkout">link</a>

[Dax_Trajero]

ok, I solved this eventually by passing a regular parameter in the url

then I used

<cfif form.submit = "checkout" or isdefined ("URL.checkout")>

run the checkout code

[Dan_Bracuk]

Store all your data in a session variable and process the session variable in your checkout page.  Then you don't need url variables.

[Dax_Trajero]

it's my first shopping cart so go easy on me!

viewCart.cfm displays the shopping cart, along with 2 submit buttons

one to update qty

one to checkout

the form action calls viewCart.cfm, and branches to appropriate code path based on form.submit = checkout or update

so in order to reach the checkout screen I need form.submit = checkout set, hence why I couldn't hyperlink to the checkout page

hindsight is a wonderful thing, and next time, I'll write a RAM based cart, which you can change row qty dynamically in the form (I'm guessing that's possible?!) I'll also start using CFC's and the like.

[Dax_Trajero]

I think I've learned not to have a total reliance on session vars

For example holding the users cart in a session based struct is one thing, but them completing checkout (having debited the users card) only to find the session vars have expired before you've inserted them into a table is something I wish to avoid!

I use a mix of session vars and a webCart table in the database. Any orders that are 'checked out', get transferred from the temporary webCart and put in the "orders" & "ordered_merchandise" tables