Using objects instead of GET

Question

I'm working in PHP to allow users to delete content and I want "delete" to be displayed in text(like a hyperlink) instead of a submit button, however, I don't want to use an actual hyperlink. Think how in most forums when you delete a comment it's generally text saying "delete comment" instead of a submit button.

I'd like to avoid using GET in this case because it's for deleting content. I understand OOP so I don't need an explanation of how it works.

Is there any way to do this with text saying "delete" (not a button) and then use objects to pass it to a function, instead of using a hyperlink to pass values?

Here's what I'm currently using to display the link, however, I use get to retrieve the values, which I would really like to avoid.

<td><a href="profile.php?userid='<? echo $request['userid']; ?>'&action=delete"><? echo $request['username']; ?></a></td>

<td><a href="profile.php?userid='.    $requestID['userID'].'">Delete</a></td>

Objects? Sure, use the form object in *javascript*: `delete ...` — hakre, Apr 10 '12 at 20:55
Won't work. Use forms with POST methods instead, or some Javascript to intercept the delete link clicks and convert them into POST requests. — Marc B, Apr 10 '12 at 20:56
Use jQuery and AJAX to accomplish this. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5004233/jquery-ajax-post-request-for-an-example — Jake Toolson, Apr 10 '12 at 20:56
If I use forms doesn't that mean it'll use a submit button which is what I'm trying to avoid to begin with? — user1104854, Apr 10 '12 at 20:57

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 10 '12 at 20:56

3

Since GET is to get/retrieve data, you should use POST to POST updates to the server (i.e. deleting a record).

You can either use a submit button, and style it to look like a link in CSS (best)
Or you could use an actual hyperlink and use JavaScript/jQuery to submit it for you to the server (not ideal).

I suggest you use the first one if you must use links. However, there's nothing wrong with using <button>s:

Semantically, hyperlinks are supposed to lead the user to a different page, where a button is supposed to make something happen.
It makes more sense to use a button rather than a link in this case.

Please consider that.

answered Apr 10 '12 at 20:56

Madara's Ghost

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lol i love the "please consider that", as if a polite way of saying "please dont make it a headache for the other guy" +1.. oh and what @Truth says is ... the truth lol – NDBoost Apr 10 '12 at 21:00
I guess I'll just use a submit button and disguise it as text – user1104854 Apr 10 '12 at 21:01

Using objects instead of GET

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