Coding a Help Desk

[JohnJ]

I am interested in learning PHP and would like to learn by coding a simple help desk. Could someone please tell me where I should start? And how difficult would it be to code such a thing? I really have no clue where to begin.

 

Thanks!

[trq]

Without any clue where to begin it sounds like it's probably going to be a fairly long and difficult task. Where to start? With the basics of PHP.

[JohnJ]

Well, let's say that you wanted to develop an application that would handle support tickets. Would you accomplish it one component at a time? Like starting by coding the basics of a user system, then coding a grouping/permissions system?

[Anti-Moronic]

First place you should start is basic PHP. Coding a helpdesk which actually works is going to be a VERY difficult task for someone who is just setting out. Beginners usually do this with help from a book or tutorial series which lays down literally everything for you.

 

Practically, you need to know some basic stuff like interacting with a database, filtering input etc etc

 

If *I* was going to develop such an application, 90% of what I need would be coded already because I use OOP so I have a bunch of components I can use from the get-go. Which is why I would even suggest you do such a thing. If you have ANY other programming experience it will be easy for you to grasp OOP and how you can use it in php.

 

First - you define the application structure. Are you using MVC (model view controller) pattern? If so, that will likely affect the structure. Define where you'r going to put images, external javascript and css. Decide where you will put libraries (like jquery) or if you will use a framework. I would suggest if you can stomach the learning curve - use Zend Framework.

 

After you have that down you need to design the actual application. Feature sets, major components broke up into the smaller parts. The first component would be the 'wrapper' which manages the other components, then you need a component for database interaction, one for managing config settings, and routing.

 

If you dive into a framework (like Zend or CodeIgniter or something) a lot of the components you require will be largely coded for you. It is then a matter of extending those components and building specific application code.

 

One way to learn how it should be done is to download Hesk (open source php helpdesk) and learn from the source code.

 

 

[JohnJ]

Are there any Web sites you would recommend for learning PHP? I suppose I will use a CodeIgniter. I have absolutely zero experience in programming. The only thing I am skilled in is xHTML/CSS coding. This is all extremely confusing to me.

[trq]

There is a link to a good free book in my sig (Hudzilla).

[JohnJ]

Thanks!