PHP Zip Code Losing Leading Zero

Question

I am storing zip codes in a MySQL database as `varchar(10)`. For some reason storing it in one table is not working like the other one. The only difference between the fields is that one is `varchar(10) Nullable`, and one is `varchar(10)`. The `Nullable` column is saving the zip code without a leading zero so `'05415'` becomes `5415`. This is working in the other table just fine. I think they are being stored on the same page, but I can't seem to find the problem. I'm not very good with PHP, so I would really appreciate some help here. This is the function for registration on the site....the registration table in the db is saving the zip code with the leading 0, so I assume that this works. ``` $Zip = strip_tags(trim($_POST['MembersZip'])); if (strlen($Zip = trim($Zip)) == 0) { $isError = true; print ""; print '

Please enter zip / postal code

'; } if (strlen($Zip = trim($Zip)) < 5) { $isError = true; print "

Accepted Answer

If I had a guess I would assume that somewhere along the way your variable is being stored as an integer, and if that happens then you would definitely lose that leading '0'. A few options to look at could be looking where the variable is stored and making sure it is stored as a string.

Alternatively, you can always make sure it has 5 numbers in php by using this:

```
str_pad($zip, 5, '0', STR_PAD_LEFT)
```

See this: http://www.php.net/str_pad

(Though I would advise that you find where it is being stored as a number over 'faking it' in php. but if you can't find it, this would work)

PHP Zip Code Losing Leading Zero

Solution

Problem