Password and User Log On Problem

I want to put an area of my site to one side for members only so that they have to log in with a user name and password (including the old 'forgotten your password?' thing) but I haven't a clue how to do it. As you reply, please assume I am an idiot.

Thanks,
Gina (Idiot)

Have you any knowledge of server side scripting such as php and using a database such as MySQL because you are going to need both?

You can get ready made login scripts from various web sites but I always think it better if you actually understand what is going on, then if something is not happening as you thought, you have a fighting chance of fixing it.

This is actually very simple Gina, (once you get your head around it)

But... please, never ever assume you question is stupid, the only way we can learn is to ask.

First off, I would suggest that you attempt this using PHP and MySQL, PHP is a server side scripting language, this means that it is processed on the server, as opposed to on the users browser like HTML.

Mysql is confusing, especially for beginners, its best to think of it in two parts. Part 1 would be a database (a bit like excel) and part 2 would be a language used to manipulate this database (SQL).

The basic premis of a user system requires a little reading on your part im afraid, I will however tell what it is that you need to read up on, and since im nice, ill provide some links for you.

1) PHP Sessions : This really is at the center of the issue, and while it may take you a while to get your head around it, do perservere, because its well worth it in the end, the best place to start on this would be (in my opinion) here : http://www.tizag.com/phpT/phpsessions.php

2) MD5 Encryption : this is extremely easy all you need to do is put md5(whatever you want encrypted goes here) ... but google it and you'll see some better examples, its basically a method of encrypting the passwords before you store them in your database, improves security.

3) Manipulation of Datbase' : to do a simple membership system you will probably only need to know about the sql SELECT, WHERE & FROM commands, as well as how to use php If Else statements, again this isnt difficult, if you perservere.

Ok, well there is other bits that your going to need to know about, but the best way to go about it is probably to start to learn, and then ask more questions when you run into problems.

As a final note ill leave you a link to a tutorial for a membership system, its not a fools guide, and will require some effort from you to make it work the way you want it to (you probably wont want the image upload facility for example), but, it is an excellant tutorial and should give you some code to play with, you can find it here : http://www.phpfreaks.com/tutorial_ca...ip-Systems.php

One final point, In order to test php and Mysql on your own (local) machine, you will need to setup a web server (like Apache or IIS), the easiest way to get everythin working on your home pc is to install and configure a suite of software called WAMP... or LAMP if you use Linux... getting wamp working properly can be very difficult in itself, but is easier than setting the constituent parts up individually.

If you dont want to bother installin WAMP (windows apache , mysql, php) and no-one would blame you tbh... then find yourself some webhosting that allows you to use php and mysql databas's, most paid hosts will, and a good free one is Lycos Tripod ot phpnet.us.

Anymore questions dont be afraid to ask

Good luck

I was a little tired when i posted last night, I forgot to mention, allthoguh it is somewhat obvious, that you will need to learn how to create database' and tables.... look into using phpmyadmin for this (it comes with WAMP) alot of paid hosts also use a version pf it on there servers... its extreemely good.

Accu's advice is pretty much the same as mine, only I think basic MySQL is the easiest thing I've ever learned. By all means use a graphic interface like MyPHPAdmin. I had a fully functional database working 4 hours after I picked up the book for the first time. (Managing a big SQL operation, on the other hand, is an expert-level task.)

PHP -- not so easy. The first book I got was "PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Websites" by Larry Ullman and I recommend it highly. If you start on page 1 and read every word and do all the exercises, you'll end up with a solid foundation AND a working membership program.

ah yeah I started with exactly the same book and I also highly reccomend it, its very detailed and it realy does build up a realy good foundation

My main problem with mysql was a basic understanding issue... sql in itself is extreemly easy, I had some sort of mental hangup on what a mysql database actually was, and this had me confused for a day or two while i read around.

I dont tend to use books that much when starting out on a new language, I tend to use the internet for most things..... however i would seriously recomend you get yourself a php handbook... i use my little pocket size codebook virtually everyday.


The for dummies books are also pretty decent for an entry level textbook .... stay away from "Sam's TEach yourself to Yodel" books... they are awfull