ChadR — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 18:54:46 +0000

If you do decide to go with PHP and MySQL then there is a really great admin tool for MySQL called phpmyadmin. That will allow you to do most of the function in an easy to use interface. It also prints out the actual code it used so you can learn a lot just from using that tool. I would recommend you pick up a book and start learning Proper PHP coding. Spaghetti is good for dinner not for Code

webchat — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 13:57:23 +0000

Honestly, MySQL is a lot easier than people think.

I learned the basics needed in about 2 hours from here:

http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/

A further week of reading, re-reading and writing lots of short routines and I was very comfortable.

Commands like...

INSERT INTO TABLE dbase VALUES('fred','smith','23 anystreet, anytown, 12345');

...are so simple. The above inserts a record. if you use PHP you will just use the mysql_query() function to do this. Reading is easy too.

SELECT address FROM dbase WHERE name='fred' AND surname='smith';

The above will extract the address for that person.

I'd go ahead and bone up - you won't regret it.

Of course, you say PHP also doesn't mean much to you at the moment. So I'd advise you to look here:

http://us.php.net/manual/en/index.php

- Robin

PHP Info
MySQL Info

Cyril.Kearney — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 16:34:23 +0000

The best way to go on a website that has php and mySql available would be to use the mySql database. Usually they have no charges for using this database and I would suggest programming using php.

On a Windows site I'd suggest using Access which is usually a no cost option as well.

JeevesBond — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 04:50:42 +0000

robhattersley wrote: My host allows php and mysql

MySQL is a database server, it's pretty much what you get when you buy hosting. As for being the simplest, well it's not (that would be SQLite, which is tiny and requires no setup. That aside, MySQL is what most hosts give you and it's certainly simple enough to do what you need without confusion (too much anyway).

The good thing is you can download MySQL for yourself, I believe the Apache Web server is available for Mac too, so you can get familiar with the technologies involved.

robhattersley wrote: What would people suggest as a cheap and simple database for this? My host allows php and mysql, but these don't mean too much to me at the moment!

No more payments required, you already have the tools, you just need to create! I can't direct you to any specific tutorials, but I can assure you that a Google search for 'php mysql tutorial' returned lots of--seemingly useful--results.

robhattersley wrote: Can I for example link to a spreadsheet, or does it need to be separate.

Databases are not spreadsheets. They look quite similar (and the data is organised in much the same way) but a database has links to between tables of data and associated indexes to speed searching and sorting. Spreadsheets are easy, databases are not.

You can import a spreadsheet into a database, or vice-versa, this is probably where PHP comes-in. Could you clarify exactly what you're trying to do? Then we'll be able to offer advice.

Greg K — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 22:31:33 +0000

Well if you are new to any type of server-side language, then since you already have access to PHP and mySQL, I would recommend that. Cost wise, this is proably your cheapest bet, as mySQL is free, and usually any host that lets you use PHP also allows mySQL.

As far as linking to a spredsheet, there are ways to do this, but you will still be needing to use PHP and learn how to code it to read the spreadsheet. The only plus side I can see to using a spreadsheet is if you are used to them, and then being able to edit the data in a "ready made" editor (excel).

IMO, if you have to learn how to write PHP code to handle the spreadsheet anyhow, might as well learn how to do it right with a database to begin with. With phpMyAdmin to set up and edit the data, and the php.net pages on mysql functions, it is fairly simple. (on the second link I gave, you can most likely skip down past all the Installation and configuration section, just get to the example.

Follow the example, as you hit each MYSQL funtion used in the example, click on the link to the function in the table fo contents below the example, to see what each one is doing and how it works. Many functions also have more examples on their individual pages. IMO it really makes things easier down the road to know what the functions are doing instead of just modifying an example and guessing later what isn't working right.

-Greg