Database Suggestion

mrbernz · Dec 22nd, 2006, 07:44

Hello,
I am looking for a suggestion on what would be easiest to create for what I am trying to do.

Basically, I want to create a registration form, that will have fields such as name and address. I then would like for when it is submitted for it be automatically saved to some sort of database file, whether it be an excel, .csv or what have you. Just so one file could be pulled that would have all the registrants. The only way that I know of would be to have the form post to an email, and have someone manually enter the information into a database as it was received.

Thanks,

snow · Dec 22nd, 2006, 09:55

Your best choices in my opinion, are XML or depending on what you're doing your Server Side scripting in, MySQL...

What are you processing your form data with?

mrbernz · Dec 22nd, 2006, 10:11

I haven't created the form yet, so I am open to suggestion. The only type I have used before would be the standard HTML form. I would have to double check with my hosting, but I believe it does support SQL, if that would be the easier option.

Soho1412 · Dec 22nd, 2006, 10:50

Hi, are you coding the site (form) yourself or you are using some CMS?

I've made a few sites using website creation tool that allows me to add a form and afterwards integrate it with a third party software that serves as a database. It's up to you to decide whether to keep the database available only outside your website or to integrate it to it. If this is what you need I can point you to some web tools you can use ...

Tim356 · Dec 22nd, 2006, 11:37

Using PHP and MySQL - storing the field data into a new record each time the form is submitted. Easiest way. Then later, if you want to export it to an excel file (csv), simple.

mrbernz · Dec 26th, 2006, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soho1412

Hi, are you coding the site (form) yourself or you are using some CMS?

I've made a few sites using website creation tool that allows me to add a form and afterwards integrate it with a third party software that serves as a database. It's up to you to decide whether to keep the database available only outside your website or to integrate it to it. If this is what you need I can point you to some web tools you can use ...

At the moment, I am coding, but am up for other options.

Tim356, do you have an example or can you point me in the direction of one?

Tim356 · Dec 26th, 2006, 22:18

Yep, a post I made a while ago explains it:

some type of member login/register system

Soho1412 · Dec 29th, 2006, 18:56

Hi, sorry for getting back to you with such a delay - holidays, you know

So, a very quick and easy option would be create the site with an online CMS tool and then integrate the forms from it with an online DB application such as ZohoCreator or Capsio Bridge. You can see an example of such usage on this site http://office20con.com/ - all the forms here + the registrant profiles are integrated with online DBes at Zoho / Caspio

I myself am specifically familiar with Zoho Creator as I needed to prepare an online tutorial for the site I work and explain how Zoho can be integrated with business websites. So, if you need specific guidance - let know

mrbernz · Dec 31st, 2006, 05:51

Tim356, very nice tutorial. I have a few questions.

With the line
"@mysql_connect("localhost", "database_username", "database_password") or die("Cannot connect to database.");"

What type of user would one use here since someone could look at the coding and learn what the password is? My second question is, with phpmyadmin, is there a way to create more users? If not, what do you suggest I use? Right now, I only have the root username and don't know of way to create any other users.

Thanks

Tim356 · Dec 31st, 2006, 11:37

This is the mysql user. You can create new users in phpmyadmin as long as you login as root or another user with the right priviledges.

Or you can create a user from within cpanel. MySql databases->then fill in the new user form.

Or as a last resort you can create a user from the shell. If you have to do this, let me know and I'll run you through it as it is a bit fiddly.

No one will be able to see the code where the password is stored as it is all server side. Only someone with access to these files on your server will be able to view the code.

snow · Dec 31st, 2006, 11:42

I was always warned it was bad practice to leave my db username/password in the code in other SS languages, and was told to retrieve it from a seperate file?

I was never exactly sure why - but FUD is a powerful thing

Tim356 · Dec 31st, 2006, 11:50

The logic behind that is - if there is only one file (for example a file named config.php) with the username/pw in it that gets called by many files, then there is less chance of someone getting hold of your password.

So you can strip out the all the password references, stick them in a seperate file and then do an include() if you are really worried. It is better to do it this way, but for the purpose of my tutorial I thought included files would only confuse people. But it really doesn't affect security, it just makes the script more organised.