krash_io — Sun, 27 Jan 2002 04:04:18 +0000

Hey I don't know if you've already decided on a method of accessing a DB on your site but if not you might want to look into ColdFusion.

Quickly, the good side is I think it's a realtively small learning curve for basic DB access if you know HTML and some real basic SQL. ColdFusion syntax is almost exactly that of HTML; for instance a ColdFusion form is built with the tag as opposed to a HTML form built with .

The down side is your site will have to be hosted off a CF server which may not be an option for you.

If it is email me, I am currently setting up my own hosting service and I would be glad to set you up

Another option is the JavaScript Tablar Data Control. I believe it is free to use, but check first! Its an active X control for JavaScript. You could build a down a dirty search pretty easy and it would run practialy anywhere.

The downside to that is the client would download a file that is basically your "database" the is used for the control. But it would be pretty easy to populate this file with only insenstive data used to make the search.

Just a few options.

Krash_io

recipebomb.com

The Webmistress — Fri, 18 Jan 2002 20:56:12 +0000

Ok thanks to you all.

My hosts will be the same as my client as she's letting me arrange everything for her then just telling her (when I've worked it out) how to update the database from her end??!!

I'll let you know Monday how I got on

Mark Hensler — Fri, 18 Jan 2002 19:28:34 +0000

When you ask your host about the username/password/hostname/dbname, ask if they have phpMyAdmin installed. Many hosts already have it setup for users.

The latest version is 2.2.3 It came out just recently. Very nice. Hosts are typically a few versions behind. That's not a problem.

taff — Fri, 18 Jan 2002 18:55:20 +0000

One more thing to keep in mind...

Your hosting package may include PHP/mySQL but make sure your client's does also!

have fun

Peter J. Boettcher — Fri, 18 Jan 2002 18:52:29 +0000

Sounds like you're going to have a fun weekend!

Thanks

The Webmistress — Fri, 18 Jan 2002 18:48:42 +0000

Ok well that's my weekend sorted out!

Saturday - contact hosting company to arrange space and all necessary bits & pieces, then start reading some of these tutorials, then by evening pour large vodka and flake out in front of TV brain dead
Sunday - continue with reading, trying to remember what was supposed to have gone into memory the day before!

Wil — Fri, 18 Jan 2002 18:45:07 +0000

You'll need your hosting provider to provide you with access to a SQL database server - MySQL is proving to be the most popular as it's free.

Ask your hosting provider to set you up with a database, he or she should then provide you with the neccessary information to configure PHPMyAdmin or whatever else you're using, i.e.

> Database name
> Your hostname
> Username
> Password

If you're hosting provider doesn't offer this facility or charges you for it then I can provide you with a database if you just want to play around with one. I've got plenty of room on my dev machine here.

The Webmistress — Fri, 18 Jan 2002 18:42:03 +0000

Ok one last stupid question (!!) where do I install/upload this phpMyAdmin? Do I need to have something set up with the hosting company?

The client hasn't acually given me the go ahead with this yet so I haven't got space sorted and wanted to get stuck in with the learning of it regardless of whether she says yes or not!

taff — Fri, 18 Jan 2002 18:12:31 +0000

Quote: Originally posted by Mark Hensler
As for PHP... It also doesn't need anything special installed on your system. Just an FTP client (which I'm sure you already have), and an ASCII editor (if your using Windows, notepad will do fine).

You can work on PHP files with HomeSite. There is even a php expression add-on available. I can't recall where exactly but if you have trouble finding it, I could rummage around my virtual attic - I'm sure it's there.

The only catch is previewing your php files. That can't be done locally on Windows alone. I downloaded FoxServ recently for that purpose (on the recommendation of someone here - sorry, I forget who) but haven't had a chance to install it yet. It's not a big deal to upload as you go though and odds are, you'll need to be talking to the db on the server anyway.

Mark Hensler — Fri, 18 Jan 2002 17:30:07 +0000

To do any DB work, you will need access to a DB client. phpMyAdmin is perhaps the most popular option, being that it's web based. The only other option that I use is the command prompt (via telnet, or ssh). There is no program (that I am aware of) that you can install on your system to connect to the mySQL DB and administer it with a windows GUI (such as M$ SQL Server's client, or M$ Access).

Because your not familiar with mySQL, I would highly recommend using phpMyAdmin. To use phpMyAdmin, simply open a browser and point it to where phpMyAdmin is located. Don't worry about making one-click blunders. phpMyAdmin will ask you twice before destroying data.

As for PHP... It also doesn't need anything special installed on your system. Just an FTP client (which I'm sure you already have), and an ASCII editor (if your using Windows, notepad will do fine).