How to make a SELECT LIST READONLY

Question

Hi,
I have a form to update the existing values in a table. Primary column is based on a Select List.
So when user goto update screen they SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE the primary filed(means the value display in the Select List).
SO to make this one I have make that select list read only. But not like other items even when we make select list read only it still allow user to change the value. So basically read only property not working for select text.
There are many post in this regading same issue. Some of them recomended to make it disabled. But when we make a item disabled then when user POST that form, Apex not POST any disabled item values. Basically disabled items values not passing next form. So making item dissable also not a solution.
I have read almost 20 post in here regarrding this and didnt get any solution for this. So please let me know if anyone knows how to make a select list read only (which is working same as read only text boxes, means that value pass when user POST the form).
Thanks in advance...
mc

Answer 1

You define a function(this is based aorund jQuery selectors) in the page header like
<script>
  var makereadonly = function(selector, makeReadonly) {
      $(selector).filter("select").each(function(i){
          var select = $(this);
          //remove any existing readonly handler
          if(this.readonlyFn) select.unbind("change", this.readonlyFn);
          if(this.readonlyIndex) this.readonlyIndex = null;
          if(makeReadonly) {
              this.readonlyIndex = this.selectedIndex;
              $(this).css('background-color','#CDCDCD'); //Adds a background colour to readonly item
              this.readonlyFn = function(){
                  this.selectedIndex = this.readonlyIndex;
              select.bind("change", this.readonlyFn);
      //For input items
      $(selector).filter("input,textarea").attr('readOnly','readOnly');
      $(selector).filter("input,textarea").css('background-color','#CDCDCD');
</script>and apply it using a jQuery selector (call it in the "execute on page load" or any other JS code)
  makereadonly('#ITEMNAME1,#ITEMNAME2,#ITEMNAME3',true);Not that all of these methods(that act at the client side) will only prevent the user from modifying it 'normally', they could manipulate these readonly items using Javascript(or using firebug or any tool like that). So its better to make sure that your don't use the item value(from the page) for processing.