php - Bringing back several variables into ajax form POST success as jQuery variables -

i new ajax.

what trying here bringing variables php file i've wrote process html form data mysql db table.

after research concluded need use json (first time) , must add part datatype:'json' ajax.

my problem after adding part, no more able submitting form!

can please let me know doing wrong here? need process php code , return 3 mentioned variables jquery variable can stuff them.

thank in advance.

ajax:

var form = $('#contact-form');   var formmessages = $('#form-messages');   form.submit(function(event) {          event.preventdefault();          var formdata = form.serialize();          $.ajax({             type:     'post',             url:      form.attr('action'),             data:     formdata,             datatype: 'json', //after adding part, can't anymore submit form             success:  function(data){                 var message_status = data.message_status;                var duplicate      = data.duplicate;                var number         = data.ref_number;                //do other stuff here                alert(number+duplicate+number);             }         }) }); 

php:

//other code here  $arr = array(   'message_status'=>$message_status,   'duplicate'=>$duplicate,   'ref_number'=>$ref_number ); echo json_encode($arr); 

the way have specified form method incorrect. change

 type:     'post', 

to

 method:     'post', 

and give try. can log response , post here ? also, check console errors.