by Robert Hashemian
Form Post Tester/Viewer
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POST Explained
Forms are one of the HTML constructs allowing users to submit data to a Web server. Data sent to the Web server is encoded
and sent via application/x-www-urlencoded MIME type using the POST verb. Data can also be sent using the GET verb where values are
specified on the URL line as QueryString demarcated using a '?' character. But since sending data via the URL line generally has a
maximum limit of 1024 characters, most forms are submitted using the POST command which has no theoretical limit.
Headers
POSTed data is sent as a part of the header, remaining hidden from view. This data is generally handled by a script on the Web server designed to process it,
for instance, saving it to a database, using it to look up additional information to display, or taking other actions as intended by the programmer.
Since POSTed data is hidden from view, it is sometimes difficult to troubleshoot problems that might arise in processing submitted forms.
This utility provides an inside view of the POSTed data in a raw format as received by the Web server.
Usage
Set the METHOD parameter of your form to POST and the ACTION parameter of your form to the URL of the Form Post Tester,
http(s)://www.hashemian.com/tools/form-post-tester.php
and then submit the form. Upon submission, this utility will display the POSTed data in a raw format.
Saving POST Data
Alternatively you can append a code
(must be alphanumeric between 5 and 15 characters with a leading '/') to the ACTION URL, for example
http(s)://www.hashemian.com/tools/form-post-tester.php/test123
In that case in addition to displaying the POSTed data, this utility will save the data under that code for future perusal.
The data is kept online for a minimum of one hour. Beyond that, the system periodically removes saved data without leaving a trace.
Viewing Saved Data
As long as the data hasn't been purged you can view it by entering the code (without the leading '/', e.g. 'test123') on the form to the right
and clicking 'View'. Alternatively you can view the data by directly navigating to this page and appending the code to the URL. For example,
for the code 'test123' you could navigate to:
http(s)://www.hashemian.com/tools/form-post-tester.php/test123
or
http(s)://www.hashemian.com/tools/form-post-tester.php?code=test123
Notes:
Here's a sample form using this tester:
action="https://www.hashemian.com/tools/form-post-tester.php/test123">
Name: <input type="text" name="Name"><br>
Favorite color: <select name="Color">
<option value="Red">Red</option>
<option value="Green">Green</option>
<option value="Blue">Blue</option>
</select><p>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
Type in the code to view the POST data you submitted.
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