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HTML HTML Forms Choosing Options Checkboxes

Posted by Terrence Wells
Terrence Wells
14,609 Points

What's the difference between the value and name attribute?

I don't understand the difference between the two. Don't they both have something to do with what goes back to the server.

1 Answer

Kevin Korte
Kevin Korte
28,149 Points
Kevin Korte
Kevin Korte
28,149 Points

The value attribute is what is going to get sent back to the server. For instance you can set the value of an input field in the html code, which is helpful for hidden or disabled inputs.

The name attribute is how you reference the input, once the value from the input gets sent back to the server.

For example this html

<input type="text" name="name" value="Kevin">

when the form gets submitted (let's assume I'm using PHP)

<?php
$name = $_POST['name'];
//now $name is set to "Kevin"
var_dump($name); //would return Kevin to the screen
Terrence Wells
Terrence Wells
14,609 Points

I get it! Thank you!