From: "John W. Long" <ng@...>
Date: 2003-11-18T13:53:24+09:00
Subject: Re: eRuby and URL rewriting

-- "Bermejo, Rodrigo" <rodrigo.bermejo@ps.ge.com> writes: --
> BTW,  I really don't understand   why  cgi['query'].class => Array  ?

Because it is possible to specify more than one value for param either in
the URL in the case of a GET or in the header in the case of a POST.

For example, given the following form:

    <html>
     <body>
      <form method="get">
       What kinds of fruit do you like? <br />
       <input type="checkbox" name="fruit" value="apples" /> Apples <br />
       <input type="checkbox" name="fruit" value="oranges" /> Oranges <br />
       <input type="checkbox" name="fruit" value="cherries"/> Cherries <br
/>
       <input type="submit" />
      </form>
     </body>
    </html>

If you check Apples and Oranges, then press submit the following url will be
submitted:

http://myurl.com/?fruit=apples&fruit=Oranges

So:

    cgi.params["fruit"] #=> ["apples","oranges"]

If you intend to only allow one value to be submitted, just use Array#first:

    fruit = cgi.params["fruit"].first #=> "apples"

I used to think that this was a frustrating syntax, but I now realize this
is an essential part of the HTTP spec.
___________________
John Long
www.wiseheartdesign.com