Lesson 9: Collecting and storing data

This is the longest of the lessons. It demonstrates how to create forms, how to create an action, and how to save the data using Elgg's data model.

Problem

You know how to store settings for plugins, widgets, and users, but how do you collect and store more complicated data? You want your users to write testimonials about your site that you can rotate on the front page. Or you would like to have a custom feedback system that lets users report problems or offer suggestions. Maybe you are thinking that it would be great if your users could post their favorite poems or excerpts from books and then describe why they like them. The one common issue with all of these is how to gather and store the data.

Solution

A form is used to collect data from users on websites. When a user registers on an Elgg site, the user's name, e-mail address, and password are all entered into a form. The form includes an address for the browser to send the data when the user clicks...