web2py - A single database value across multiple html input tags -

is possible have single database value (say, post/zip code) split across 2 html input tags (the first 4 digits in first, , last 3 in second).

i using helper method of displaying form, far i'm aware, use 'raw' html achieve same thing (and if case, not mind @ changing view file have raw html). there way can use raw html, have 2 input tags postcode, , somehow combine values in controller?

so model file:

db.define_table(         'user_address',          field('street_address', 'string', requires=is_not_empty()),         field('city', 'string', requires=is_not_empty()),         field('country', 'string', requires=is_not_empty()),         field('postcode', 'string', requires=is_length(7)),                ) 

this controller:

def new():     form = sqlform(db.user_address)     if form.accepts(request,session):         response.flash = "form accepted"     return dict(form = form) 

and view:

<section>     <h2>register</h2>     {{=form.custom.begin}}     {{=form.custom.widget.street_address}}     <br>     {{=form.custom.widget.city}}     <br>     {{=form.custom.widget.post_code}}     <br>     {{=form.custom.widget.country}}     <br><br>     {{=form.custom.submit}}     {{=form.custom.end}} </section> 

if want use built-in form processing functionality, breaking field 2 inputs complicated. simpler approach might include 2 additional fields in database table , making combined "postcode" field computed field:

db.define_table('user_address',      field('street_address', 'string', requires=is_not_empty()),     field('city', 'string', requires=is_not_empty()),     field('country', 'string', requires=is_not_empty()),     field('postcode1', label='postal code', requires=is_length(4)),     field('postcode2', requires=is_length(3)),     field('postcode', compute=lambda r: r.postcode1 + r.postcode2,           readable=false, writable=false) 

you still need use custom form code can keep postcode1 , postcode2 inputs inline , suppress label postcode2.

the default table definition above show postcode1 , postcode2 fields , hide postcode field (i.e., in forms , grid). if displaying record (e.g., using grid feature), can instead set readable , writable attributes of postcode1 , postcode2 false , postcode attributes true.

one other option define custom widget "postcode" field. widget should include 2 visible input elements want display in form hidden input element name "postcode". need javascript (which included in widget code or loaded separately) automatically concatenate values in 2 visible inputs , put result in hidden input. widget code have take existing value in postcode field , split 2 visible widgets (this necessary update forms, display existing values in of form inputs).