rookie looking for help coding a CSS form with PHP

[postroske]

I'm trying to figure out how to add PHP code to my xhtml form so that it is a working form embedded in the contact us page of a website that is still on my pc only. The end goal is to place the PHP into the code below, create a .php file that compliments it (if necessary?) so that when the contact form is submitted, it is pushed through to my gmail account. I'm not sure if the best way to do this is through a CGI or if there is an easier way since the site isn't published yet? Ideally, Id like for someone to add the PHP code my xhtml code below and explain any other details that will make my form work.

 

I added the <form> tag below but do not know where to go from here. I do not have a file currently called formscript.php but assume I'll need one like it if this is to work.

 

From what I've read, I've got a LONG way to go on how this whole process works. I've read through forums yesterday but everything is written for someone with an existing knowledge of PHP or for table based forms. I would appreciate any and all help. Thanks, Peter

 

 

 

xHTML:

 

<form action="formscript.php" method="post">

         

                <div class="contact_form">

             

 

                         

                    <div class="form_row">

                    <label class="contact">Name:</label>

                    <input type="text" name="name" class="contact_input" />

                    </div>

 

                  <div class="form_row">

                    <label class="contact">Email:</label>

                    <input type="text" name="email" class="contact_input" />

                  </div>

 

                    <div class="form_row">

                    <label class="contact">Message:</label>

                    <textarea class="contact_textarea" ></textarea>

                    </div>

                 

                    <div class="form_row">

                    <a href="#" class="read_more">send</a>

                    </div>   

                 

                </div>

</form>

 

CSS:

 

.contact_form{

width:355px;

float:left;

padding:0px 0 0 5px;

}

.form_row{

width:335px;

clear:both;

padding:10px 0 10px 0;

_padding:5px 0 5px 0;

color:#a53d17;

}

label.contact{

width:70px;

float:left;

font-size:12px;

text-align:right;

padding:4px 5px 0 0;

color:#fff;

}

input.contact_input{

width:253px;

height:18px;

background-color:#857c7c;

color:#FFFFFF;

border:1px #857c7c solid;

float:left;

}

textarea.contact_textarea{

width:253px;

height:50px;

font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;

font-size:12px;

color:#FFFFFF;

background-color:#857c7c;

border:1px #857c7c solid;

float:left;

}

.contact_info{

width:380px;

float:left;

padding:0 0 0 20px;

color:#FFFFFF;

}

p.adress{

float:left;

padding:10px 0 0 15px;

line-height:13px;

}

[gevensen]

in order for php to work on your local computer you need to use wampserver, xammp or something like it

 

you have to use the mail function in php to mail it but you have to set up your wampserver to connect to a mailserver, you will have to do a little research on that

 

php can be embedded in html using a <?php echo $variable; ?> scenario

 

i doubt anyone will code this project for you its not THAT simple

 

 

[postroske]

Gevensen,

 

Thanks for your reply. Here's what I don't understand. There are so many crappy websites out there with contact us forms. Are these all made in PHP or is there another way?

 

I have to imagine there is a relatively easy solution out there for people who don't have a working knowledge of PHP.

 

Again, thanks for your direction, Peter

[bothwell]

Gevensen,

 

Thanks for your reply. Here's what I don't understand. There are so many crappy websites out there with contact us forms. Are these all made in PHP or is there another way?

 

I have to imagine there is a relatively easy solution out there for people who don't have a working knowledge of PHP.

 

Again, thanks for your direction, Peter

 

Sometimes webhosts provide a barebones script to their customers in cpanel or whatever admin console they use.

 

Most other people probably just use whatever they can get to work from hotscripts.com or similar: http://www.hotscripts.com/category/php/scripts-programs/form-processors/

[gevensen]

Gevensen,

 

Thanks for your reply. Here's what I don't understand. There are so many crappy websites out there with contact us forms. Are these all made in PHP or is there another way?

 

I have to imagine there is a relatively easy solution out there for people who don't have a working knowledge of PHP.

 

Again, thanks for your direction, Peter

 

i imagine there are several ways

 

personally i signed on lynda.com and have been watching the learn php videos they were the best of anything i found so far

they have php css ajax ect

i am doing pretty good at it now but php can be very time consuming as your learning