/**
* Saves input from the $input parameter (array) into the form model's
* field_data array if the key is present in the $fields array then
* serializes the field_data array to the session.
*
* The $fields array is a simple array. Only the fields declared in
* the $field array will be stored.
*
* <code>
* // save form input data
* ExampleForm::save_input( array( 'first_name', 'last_name' ) );
* </code>
*
* @param array $fields
* @param array $input
*/
public static function save_input($fields = null, $input = null)
{
// $fields must be an array
if (!is_array($fields) && !is_null($fields)) {
return false;
}
// by default we save all fields
if (is_null($fields)) {
$fields = array_keys(Input::all());
}
// by default we save all input, this can be overridden by passing
// a second parameter to the save_input() method
if (is_null($input)) {
$input = Input::all();
}
// when storing input it's important to load the persistent form
// data that may exist from previous requests, otherwise we will
// overwrite them
if (empty(static::$field_data)) {
static::unserialize_from_session();
}
// ideally we'll have either a value for a field or an empty value
// for a field. this isn't strictly necessary and may change in the
// future given an appropriately convincing argument
foreach ($fields as $field_name) {
if (Input::has($field_name)) {
static::$field_data[$field_name] = Input::get($field_name);
} else {
static::$field_data[$field_name] = '';
}
}
// serialize the field data to session
static::serialize_to_session();
}