beginner: php guestbook

[DanArosa]

Hi,

 

I'm a graphic design student and have no PHP experience, however, I need to incorporate a guestbook into my Flash website.

I downloaded a customisable guestbook and customised it to fit in with my site, but it doesn't work, could someone have a look

at the PHP for me and see if that's where I'm going wrong.

 

Thanks in anticipation of your help,

dan

[revraz]

You may have to post this in the 3rd party scripts section, but if you can explain what you mean by "doesn't work" and post the code, we may be able to help.

[DanArosa]

Hi,

 

By doesnt work, I mean it posts no results back to the guestbook.

 

The guestbook can be seen at www.thismeatisfresh.com, then by clicking on book of meat link at top right corner.

 

Here is the script:

 

<?php

 

//---------------------------------------------- DO NOT CHANGE FOLLOWING (UNLESS U KNOW WHAT UR DOING) -------------------//

 

if(isset($_POST['name'])){

//retrieve variables

$name = $_POST['name'];

$email = $_POST['email'];

$message = $_POST['message'];

$date = date("Y-m-d");

}

 

 

//create connection to the database

$conn = mysql_connect($host, $username, $password) or die("could not connect to server");

$select_db = mysql_select_db($db,$conn);

 

if(isset($_POST['name'])){

//insert entry into guest book

$insertSQL = "INSERT INTO guestbook_tbl (Name, Email, Message, Date) VALUES ('$name', '$email', '$message', '$date')";

$rs = mysql_query($insertSQL,$conn);

 

if($rs){

  //insertion was successful now lets send back to flash all entries in the database in XML Format

  retrieveData();

}else{

  echo '&entryadded=FAIL&';

  exit();

}

 

}else{

retrieveData();

}

 

 

function retrieveData(){

    global $conn;

 

//get entries from guestbook

    $selectSQL = "SELECT * FROM guestbook_tbl ORDER BY ID DESC";

    $rs = mysql_query($selectSQL,$conn);

 

//generate the xml file

echo "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n";

echo "<entries>\n";

 

while($row = mysql_fetch_assoc($rs)){

echo "<log>\n";

echo "<name>".$row['Name']."</name>\n";

echo "<email>".$row['Email']."</email>\n";

echo "<date>".$row['Date']."</date>\n";

echo "<message>".$row['Message']."</message>\n";

echo "</log>\n";

}

#now lets end the xml file

echo "</entries>\n";

 

 

#close the mySQL connection

mysql_close($conn);

}

?>

 

Thanks for the reply,

dan

[DanArosa]

Just realised I posted the password  can give this to anyone who needs to have a look though.

 

Dan

[revraz]

Remove your login details from the post (but not the script).

 

Change (in two places)

$rs = mysql_query($insertSQL,$conn);

 

to

 

$rs = mysql_query($insertSQL,$conn) or die ("Error in query: $insertSQL " . mysql_error());

 

And post the error.

 

[DanArosa]

Thanks, I'll try that now 

 

Dan

[DanArosa]

Hi,

 

could only find it in one place,

 

It's not to replace this line as well is it?

 

$rs = mysql_query($selectSQL,$conn);

 

Thanks again,

dan

 

[revraz]

$rs = mysql_query($selectSQL,$conn) or die ("Error in query: $selectSQL " . mysql_error());

 

 

Hi,

 

could only find it in one place,

 

It's not to replace this line as well is it?

 

$rs = mysql_query($selectSQL,$conn) or die ("Error in query: $selectSQL " . mysql_error());

;

 

Thanks again,

dan

 

[DanArosa]

Hi,

 

Changed that, do I need to upload it to my server or can I test it in Dreamweaver?

 

Thanks,

Dan

[revraz]

You would have to upload it, unless you can parse PHP in Dreamweaver.  Upload it with another name if you want to keep your original in tact.

[DanArosa]

Ok thanks,

 

I've tried it and at http://www.thismeatisfresh.com/process.php

 

it shows this message:

 

&entryadded=FAIL&

 

Dan

[revraz]

Verify the table name is guestbook_tbl and there is a field named ID in that table.

[DanArosa]

I've checked those and both are correct.

 

Cheers,

Dan

[revraz]

The flash is probably posting to the other name.  I would say rename your other file and name the new one what it should be.

[DanArosa]

Cool, I've done that and realised I had the database name wrong in the login details so changed that too.

 

Now at http://www.thismeatisfresh.com/process.php

 

Warning: mysql_fetch_assoc(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /home/.hesta/graphikdzine/thismeatisfresh.com/process.php on line 56

 

 

Thanks,

Dan

[revraz]

Something is still wrong with the connection, try this code and put your connection parameters up top.

 

<?php
//put your connection info up here

$name = "Test";
$email = "Email@email.com";
$message = "Message";
$date = date("Y-m-d");

//create connection to the database
$conn = mysql_connect($host, $username, $password) or die("could not connect to server");
$select_db = mysql_select_db($db,$conn);

$insertSQL = "INSERT INTO guestbook_tbl (Name, Email, Message, Date) VALUES ('$name', '$email', '$message', '$date')";
$rs = mysql_query($insertSQL,$conn) or die ("Error in query: $insertSQL. " . mysql_error());

   if($rs){
     echo "ADDED";
   }else{
     echo 'FAILED' .mysql_error();
     exit();
   }
   


?>

[DanArosa]

I've done that, and now at http://www.thismeatisfresh.com/process.php there is the message:

 

ADDED

 

does that help at all?

 

Thanks for your time, sorry this is taking a while,

Dan

[revraz]

Means it works without Flash.  I don't know enough about Flash to help you with why it doesn't work in your Flash form.

 

If you look at the DB via MyPHPAdmin (or any other tool), do you now see entries in the table?

[DanArosa]

   

1 Test Email@email.com Message 2008-01-07

      2 Test Email@email.com Message 2008-01-07

      3 Test Email@email.com Message 2008-01-07

      4 Test Email@email.com Message 2008-01-07

      5 Test Email@email.com Message 2008-01-07

      6 Test Email@email.com Message 2008-01-07

      7 Test Email@email.com Message 2008-01-07

      8 Test Email@email.com Message 2008-01-07

 

 

I'm seeing this yeah, is that right, I presume it is?

 

Dan

[revraz]

Yep, so your flash page should show that in the bottom window if a new person signs it.

[DanArosa]

That's great thanks,

 

I've tried it and it hasn't shown up for me, maybe just a delay, does it show up for you?

 

Cheers,

Dan

[revraz]

It doesn't, shouldn't be any delay at all, DB write is instant.

[DanArosa]

Ah right, I'll look into this then.

 

Thanks so much for your help and time, it really is appreciated.

 

email me if you ever want a logo for anything you're working on free of charge.

 

Best Regards,

Dan

[revraz]

If you want, paste your mysql table layout as well.