Database driven websites

[overclocker23]

Hello Everyone,


I am using Dreamweaver currently with all the pages saved in .php format. I would like to make my site dynamic so that I can just go online and add an article without having to have my laptop and dreamweaver with me all the time. It's a hassel when you have to go to vacation with your laptop or when you go to someone's house, you have to install dreamweaver on their computer so you can work on your site. :(

What I want to do with a database driven site is just use a username and password to log into the main system and add, delete, edit content like a word processor.

My server uses Redhat and it's a dedicated server with all the capabilities of using MySQL databases and stuff.

I am not familiar with any coding :( :D so I might need help. I was searching on Google but there are so many programs that I don't know which one to choose. I am willing to spend money as long as the program gives guarantee to work. I don't want to download something crap, install it on my server and later remove because it doesn't work. I also want a database program from a REPUTABLE company and not some garage company.

Few Questions:

1. Would it take a lot of time to take my 400 .php pages and 3000 images and putting them into a database?

2. Can I do it without any coding knowledge?

3. Suggestions on good, commercial, reputable programs?

Thx.

[trevorsaint]

Hi overclocker23, I have been always wanted to go dynamic but never really understood how until recently where I am totally hooked, still far from that good but I can retrieve information from a database and display it in a web page. Equally use asp or even php server side includes especially for design elements that remain constant thought your design.

This saves a ton of time. And yes you can have images stored in the database and retrieved from the database and placed on your pages.

Before starting dynamic I was worried that I would have to learn all the code involved but thankfully Dreamweaver does most of the hard work for you which is fantastic.

Here is a sample of just images stored on a database.

simple sample (http://www.blue-leaf.co.uk/dynamic/image.asp)

I had never touched ASP, or even databases since only two days ago, and so far I have developed loads of knowledge. It is to much to explain on the forum in this particular box, if you wish to learn a little then I may be able to help you with the very basics.

To answer your questions.

Would it take a lot of time? Only the time you took to place the images into the database and of course the time to quickly set up the connection with the database etc, but not that long no. You don’t store the php pages in the database! - but could easily have one page, i.e. index.asp, and the data can by dynamically updated using your database, but you would not need 400 php pages :). I fell into that trap and it wasted so much of my time.

You can depending on the type of design most likely get away with 1 php page. That does not include pages like contact or different designs.

Can you do it without any coding, well so far I have managed to do it without any coding other than xhtml or html as standard, I do have many books on asp, so I always have a reference but so far all done with just dreamweaver :).

Programs, get a copy of Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004. And a copy of Microsoft Access.

I would just like to inform you. I may be talking in ASP and Acess, but the same applies for PHP and cold Fusion.

I really do hope this helps a little. Enjoy!

Regards

Trevor Saint

[abzoid]

I think we've been over all of this before, the answers haven't changed.

1) Yes. The existing data (page content) must be entered into the database in some form.
2) Yes. Without some basic server side coding knowledge, so that you can customize the layout etc., you might as well stay with static pages.
3) There is no "magic" software package that is going to do all of this for you. The time savings will come AFTER you have converted the existing site. New content will be a breeze to add.

[overclocker23]

I have coldfusion. Does it work with .php pages? I thought it was only for .asp and windows server.

[abzoid]

ColdFusion is a entirely separate scripting language. It would be used INSTEAD of .php or .asp, your pages would then be .cfm

[jay-em]

Hey abzoid... You sound pretty sharp dude...
I challenge you to post the SOLUTION to this thread in lamen's term for us.
I am also very interested in doing this...
C'mon bud, just a bit of your time?

:beam: jMkM

[abzoid]

jay-em,

The whole point that I've been trying to make is that there is no simple solution for converting a large amount of static HTML content.

There is only one solution, and there are no short cuts. Create the blank database, enter all the existing content, then convert to displaying it using dynamic web pages.

Is that laymen enough?

[eyezberg]

lol

can't you just keep the actual content as is, and create a database with admin panel to add/edit stuff for new entries?

without any idea about your site, hard to tell..
and you don't need dreamweaver to edit html, notepad does just fine ;)

[jay-em]

::abzoid:: NO that isn't laymen enough at all...
You seem to be able to tell us what has to be done, but you don't elaborate on HOW to do it.
That is being helpful...
OF COURSE IT'S NOT SIMPLE
If it were, then people wouldn't be posting questions about it. What are the VITAL tools? What are the FUNDAMENTALS of a data-driven structure such as this? I understand that there are thousands of scenerios.... so, uh, pick one
:puzzle:

If YOU were tasked to develop something like this yourself, how would YOU do it? Step by Step....
Use your own site or a past project for reference. Include how one should be set up with thier web host, what programs you perfer....ect........
If don't wish to elaborate that's fine. But such an elaborate question deserves an elaborate answer. Not something you can read in an advertisement. You just ASSUME that people understand the basics... Think again my friend. No disrespect intended by the way....
LAYMEN ENOUGH?? haha

[abzoid]

You mean something like this? http://www.abzoid.com/storefront/

First, you determine what database software and scritping language you will use. That is usually determined by what the host supports. ASP w/Access, or PHP w/MySQL, etc.

Second, you set up your data structure, based on the output required, and create data tables in your database accordingly.

Third, you populate the tables with some sample data for testing, then create your dynamic pages. At this point you refine your output pages, and modify your data structure as needed.

Four, you create the admin pages for managing the data. (add/edit/delete)

That's the basic steps. A good book on the specific scripting language and database software is highly recommended.

I'm happy to help answer specific questions, but Database 101 is more than I have time to tackle. That's what books and classes are for.

[jay-em]

:D Good Response.... Thank you for your time.

I totally agree about books and classes. Kirupa (more often than not) serves as a tool for people who are not fortunate enough to afford these things. Experts such as yourself are greatly appreciated. A little of your time can be more valuable than one could imagine. Please keep this in mind when posting.

Thanks
jm

[SlowRoasted]

i got this book a while back, havent read it all but ive gotten a lot out of it so far. I would suggest it to all you in need of knowledge:)

http://half.ebay.com/cat/buy/prod.cgi?cpid=1145832400&domain_id=1856&meta_id=1

[jay-em]

Thanks for the link!
Nice footer....:crazy:

[SlowRoasted]

thanks man:te: