A shopping cart project

[stbalaji2u]

Hi friends i've decided to do a shopping cart project on next semester for my degree program..

I want to know that this project is worthy at the time of job seeking as a php programmer??

if this is worthy then tell me some of the enhancements that are usefull to make my project a innovative one like adding captacha etc.

 

or if its not that much worthy then tell me any other projects im so thankfull...

[jonsjava]

Shopping cart programs are always useful, but only if it's better than what is currently freely available.

First, you gotta ask these questions:  What data am I willing to be responsible for?  Do I want the responsibility of keeping credit cards, knowing that if my data is compromised, I could face lawsuits?  If I'm not willing to hold that responsibility, what vendors am I going to offer access to for handling that sensitive data, and how do I get my data to them, and vice versa?

 

Next questions would be: How do I make it secure?  How do I want to handle adding items, managing items, and classifying items?  Do I want AJAX to be a part of it, so people can simply grab an item, and drag it to their cart, or should I make it more simple, and lightweight?

 

The following questions are easier: Should I make it template-driven, or have the layout hard-coded?  If template-driven, which template engine, if any, should I use?  How should I authenticate users? Will I use OpenID? 

[Fadion]

As im more interested to reply to your second question, anything is worthy as a portfolio as long as uve put all your passion and knowledge there. To get a good job isnt quite easy, but if i was going to get u in my company as a coder, i would be impressed if u had:

 

- a couple of "big" projects u did as a freelance or full time/part time job.

- a couple of nicely written websites so i can tell u have some good knowledge in css and xhtml

- javascript and ajax basic knowledge

- the zend certified engineer certificate

- mysql associate certificate

 

Having those should make u a good candidate for any company that seeks coders (at least junior ones). Eventhough, you can only learn to code by coding, so experience is the only weapon u can't use (normally if ure unexperienced).

 

Hope that helps.

[stbalaji2u]

U both jonesjava and Guilty Gear makes my eyes open

To answer for Guilty Gear

=>I never did any big projects till now except registration,calc,login's(though i know that those are not big ones)

=>i only have the basic knowledge about xhtml and css :-\

=>i have basic knowledge abt. java script and am zero for ajax :-\

=>i thought of having a CMDEV (mysql developer) certifacte and i fear that i have to risk my money(8000rs+8000rs) for each exam. but after hearing ur suggestion i think that is the mysql associate certificate is enough to pursue a job(fresher)? ???

[stbalaji2u]

Hi jones your view is clean and crispy

well am not an intermediate level programmer in php and i know the basics in php and also learning lots of things now only

and

=>i dont yet started the object oriented concepts in php

and

=>i dont want my shopping cart a ajax driven coz am zero in AJAX

=>hmm can i unhold the responsibility of having the credit card information?? coz i just going to show a demo in locally hosted (http://localhost) PC in my college and its not for commercial purpose.

=>i dont know the template engines like smarty yet but i decided that with little bit of involvement of template i wanna project hard coded one.

=>and oooopss open id means ???u mean storing the id in  a database??well am quite sure that i love to use mysql as my back end..

 

My Prototype for doing this project is from http://phpwebcommerce.com/ please have a look at this and express ur opinion or tell me any other site..

thx in advance,.

[DarkWater]

Well, just to add on to what GuilyGear and jonsjava have both said so well, here's my opinion and advice:

 

• If you want to make a real shopping cart, you're best bet would be to learn all the best technologies and practices to make your projec the best it can be, and be easily extensible or modifiable if the need arises.
  
• Don't blindly follow tutorials, as they can be wrong or not demonstrate best practice.
  
• Learn what you're doing before you do it.  Don't try to piece it together as you go.  Plan it out.
  
• If this project begins to make you feel like you're in over your head, you probably are.  Try something else then.  Don't dawdle on one project because that's what you wanted to do originally if you can't actually do it.  Learning the concepts with other, smaller projects never hurt.
  

 

Make sure you plan out your project too.  And don't do any credit-card handling with your databases if you ever make a live application, just letting you know.

 

 

[stbalaji2u]

Hi darkwater thanks for ur concern

well at present i think that shopping cart project is just way over my head and i also like to figure it out that i have time to lean php and i stick to that project and start learning the nuke and corner of that project is that work out???

and also i never jumped it to directly i just having the source code of it and am practicing myself with smaller projects like registration,login form,calcularot etc.

so i think with my best practices i can able to handle the shopping cart project in near future ..

please express your view!!!

can i do it or not !!!!!  :-\