Total Newbie, please advise

[iamcaper]

Hey Gang,

 

I'm 100% new to PHP but have programmed in Lingo years ago and did some HTML.  It's been a whlie since I've done any coding so you have a clean slate to work with. 

 

I've been asked to design a web interface for use by one of our new clients.  We are a cartoon animation company so the client wants to be able to view all info for one episode or view the scripts for all episodes.  The interface will be set up so that users, predetermined, log in (two different sets of access rights, admin and basic).  Something like the attached image, "login_sample.gif"

 

Once logged in, the user is moved to a page where they can select either an episode to view, or select a subject (ie designs), for all episodes. 

 

Say the user decides to view designs for a specific episode, we want them to be able to post comments on a design for other users to see.  However, we don't want them to be able to overrite past comments so I'd like an option there for the user to view past comments as well.  For an example, see the attached image, "episodescreen_sample.gif"

 

Can anybody help me get this thing started?  Any particular resources which would be particularly helpful?  I've started using Dreamweaver but found it very finicky when using a database.  Again, I'm only new to PHP so I'm picking things up as I go.

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

[attachment deleted by admin]

[xenophobia]

Since you needed a database to storing your comments and user's details. I would suggest you to use MySQL database. With the aid of PHP, you can access the database for data manipulation easily.

 

Also you will needed a login system. Try go to Google and search for some articles  about 'PHP session' or 'PHP cookie'.

 

Others will be depended on your system flow.

 

Hope this will be helpful to you. PM me for more information or assists. 

[iamcaper]

Hey Xenophobia,

 

Thanks for the rapid reply!  I attempted to send a PM but seeing as I'm new I'm not permitted to do so as of yet.

 

The use of 'PHP session' makes perfect sense for allowing the users info to be passed from page to page. 

 

And, yes, I would like to use an MySQL database and have one set-up already for use.  There is only 1 table at the moment whichis used to house the username details:

 

username

password

access level

 

There will be limited users on this interface so we will likely be inputting the username ourselves so that we can also set the "access level" rights as well. 

 

A little background for you.  I used "MySQL Administrator" to build the database because I'm going to learn using a stand-alone pc while I await the update of our server for real online testing.  My first question is, where the heck should I start with this thing?  hehe

[iamcaper]

Another question,  if I'm only going to have 15-20 users, can I set up an array to control access?  Or should I just go ahead and use a database for the users? 

 

Right now I have a short time to learn and develop this so quick is good for the moment, I can add bells and whistles down the road.

[xenophobia]

Sorry for late reply. You thread already go to page 4. Haha.

 

A little background for you.  I used "MySQL Administrator" to build the database because I'm going to learn using a stand-alone pc while I await the update of our server for real online testing.  My first question is, where the heck should I start with this thing?  hehe

 

So I assume you have nothing in your local PC and your OS is Windows. What you must do is install a webserver, recommended: Apache. Next you need to install PHP and MySQL. Hope you can find all the information on installing them and configuring them. If you found any problem please reply here. I will be check back this thread ASAP.

 

After you make everything working, you can now do your study on PHP. You can use MySQL Admin to manipulate your databse or I would advise you to use phpMyAdmin, a web-based Mysql manipulator.

 

Another question,  if I'm only going to have 15-20 users, can I set up an array to control access?  Or should I just go ahead and use a database for the users?

 

You can setup an account for the users to access the database with limited accessing area such as table and database.

This article will help you on granting the permission for users:

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

 

You can add my MSN address.

 

Hope this would help you.

[iamcaper]

Thanks for the Tut, I'll go through it today.

 

I've added you to my MSN so if I have some quick questions, do you mind if I send them along?

[iamcaper]

Hi Again,

 

I looked through the tutorial you passed along, thanks again.  However, I'm not sure it's what I'm looking for so I may have been too vague.

 

What I want to do is set-up a database where there is a table for users info who have to log-in in order to view the web interface.  Depending on the access rights, detailed in the database table, the user is given certain options in the interface.  They can't edit the database, only their log-in info is stored there.

 

That make sense or am I still not explaining it right?

 

Thanks