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#1 2004-12-15 10:27 am
Databases and whatnot- fast!
So I just landed a job from a nearby business association, for whom I agreed to design a website that includes a member section that can be updated by the adminstrator. Naturally, I have no idea how to do backend stuff like member databases and updatable content. I do, however, have some knowledge of programming, nothing too advanced, but it's a start.
I think it's better this way. I've been meaning to learn this stuff for years, but never got around to it. Now I have to learn it.
Any suggestions on where I should start? I have a friend who is really good with this sort of thing that suggested I try PHP, but is there any other platform or advice anyone can share with me? Thanks.
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#2 2004-12-15 11:25 am
- IcarusFountain
- Damned Portals!
- Royal Wombat
- From: Stuck in 1 Infinite Loop
- Registered: 2003-12-27
- Posts: 6253
- Website
Re: Databases and whatnot- fast!
PHP and SQL work great for what you're wanting to do.
Of course, I'm still learning how to use them, but still. 
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#3 2004-12-15 11:56 am
Re: Databases and whatnot- fast!
Do you know any good (and preferably very inexpensive/free) resources that could get me on my feet? I've done some internet tutorials, but it's all so basic and poorly done that it really doesn't help much.
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#4 2004-12-15 12:16 pm
Re: Databases and whatnot- fast!
http://www.phpfreaks.com/ and http://www.mysqlfreaks.com/ are both great sites.
Half Life 2 >> Halo 2
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#5 2004-12-15 1:18 pm
Re: Databases and whatnot- fast!
you agreed to take on a job that you don't know how to do?
/me shudders 
i just hope you don't have a deadline.
if you get in trouble, me and a friend build backends for websites similar to what you are talking about (although our projects are a lot bigger and in depth). for $2,000 we will program all your admin needs in about 3-5 days.
"the bible is cooler than i thought.... most of the main characters get stoned!!!"
"let's get back to the good ol' days when the "opiate of the masses" was still actually opium." -me
"kids don't beat me. i beat kids." -HJS
the above post is proudly antihammer
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#6 2004-12-15 2:21 pm
Re: Databases and whatnot- fast!
No, there's no deadline, but what's a job without a little bit of pressure? I'm a college student- this is how we function.
Plus, I can't possibly see making the time for learning a programming language without some dire need to do so. Plus, I totally low-balled the quote, so I won't feel too bad if my code is sloppy.
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#7 2004-12-15 3:05 pm
Re: Databases and whatnot- fast!
No, there's no deadline, but what's a job without a little bit of pressure? I'm a college student- this is how we function.
Plus, I can't possibly see making the time for learning a programming language without some dire need to do so. Plus, I totally low-balled the quote, so I won't feel too bad if my code is sloppy.
right on man... good luck to you. i was once where you are (figuratively and literally- i used to live in muncie IN).
as long as you lowballed the quote and there is no hard deadline you should be fine. i know you are looking for free resources but i recommend going to a book store (or online) and spending $30-50 on a good PHP reference book (if you go with PHP).
my first job like this was for a "mainstreet website" that represented all the businesses in town... set it up so the mainstreet admin people could change text and pics on the main page, change the calendar, and all the individual businesses could login and update their own info and pics. my friend and i made $3,000 each, and that was about 5 years ago. i remember when we took that job that we really had no clue what we were doing, and we thought that $3,000 each was a lot of money.
"the bible is cooler than i thought.... most of the main characters get stoned!!!"
"let's get back to the good ol' days when the "opiate of the masses" was still actually opium." -me
"kids don't beat me. i beat kids." -HJS
the above post is proudly antihammer
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#8 2004-12-15 6:04 pm
- zakatak
- Member
- From: Kalamazoo
- Registered: 2004-08-05
- Posts: 565
Re: Databases and whatnot- fast!
I've taken PHP and SQL classes at school and I have to say... W3 Schools is one of the sites I referred to on a very regular basis to meet my scholastic deadlines... It's not all inclusive, nor void of ads... but it has been able to rephrase stuff, or re-present ideas in a way that became more understandable for me...
I highly recommend that in addition to php.net and the freaks...
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#9 2004-12-15 7:52 pm
- W2ttsy
- Member
- Registered: 2002-03-04
- Posts: 3294
Re: Databases and whatnot- fast!
free computing package resources....
MySQL (i suggest the completeMySQL package from server logistics)
PHP - once again, completePHP from serverlogistics
Apache - complete Apache (its installed with Mac OS X, but the SL package is so much better)
for online tutes, PHP + functionName + tutorial in google works. replace functionName with the actual name of the function or method you are having issues with.
or phpfreaks.net or php.com works.
try and stay away from the built in functions in dreamweaver, as they are a little less effecient than you may want.
good luck. i stepped into a job knowing stuff about PHP, and nothing about ASP. a couple of weeks later, i had most of it (ASP) pinned down.... now we're using .net
W2ttsy
punk! 
modding is for rich smurfs, hacking is for pov asses like me
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