Hi Erwin,
Thanks for the pointers. I am slightly familiar with SQL 'INSERT',
'SELECT' etc, so this is not too scary. However, can you recommend a
webspace hoster that will accept server side PHP and MySQL databases to be
run?. Also, how would you suggest that I approach developing the site? -
should I develop using a webserver (like Apache) on my desktop locally and
then keep my fingers crossed that it will port OK to a hoster's webserver?.
Ta,
Dave
"Erwin Moller"
<since_humans_read_this_I_am_spammed_too_much@spam yourself.com> wrote in
message news:42370ed0$0$28984$e4fe514c@news.xs4all.nl...[color=blue]
> Dave Moore wrote:
>[color=green]
> > Hi All,
> > I want to be able to store data as part of my website. I'm assuming
> > that
> > I''ll need to use PHP scripts to provide this functionality, but what
> > would the best aproach be to storing data?. I could use a database of[/color][/color]
some[color=blue][color=green]
> > sort (maybe MySQL?), but I'm wondering whether there are any other
> > aproaches to data storage that would be less elaborate than a full
> > database.
> >
> > Any ideas?.
> >
> > Dave[/color]
>
> Hi Dave,
>
> Well, you can always use files to store data.
> But you should wonder if the initial ease of coding is not backfiring[/color]
later.[color=blue]
> (I think it will)
>
> If you use files to store data (often called: flatfile approach), you will
> face a LOT of extra headages later on in the project, like:
> - bad performance
>
> - you have to prepare your files against concurent writes by different
> request/commands from clients.
> Use filelocking to prevent this. (= extra work)
> If you do not it is just a matter of time before your files become[/color]
corrupt.[color=blue]
>
> - If the data you store is even a little bit complex, you will soon face[/color]
the[color=blue]
> fact that you have to open many files, scan them, do a lot of processing.
> This is EXCACTLY where SQL makes things easier for you.
>
> If you have no experience using databases, this might be a little
> intimidating at first glance.
> But take it from a guy who did actually make dynamic websites using flat
> files in Perl: it is ABSOLUTELY worth the time/study investment.
> Go database.
>
> Of course I do not know your actual requirements, but studying databases[/color]
is[color=blue]
> most probably worth your while.
>
> Have a look at
www.w3schools.com for some great tutorials.
>
> As for your choice of database: Go mySQL or Postgresql.
> I think both are under the GPL licence. (= Free as in Freedom :-)
> I prefer Postgresql because it is a robust, featurerich opensource[/color]
database.[color=blue]
> But MySQL should do most jobs just as fine (and a little bit faster. :-)
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Regards,
> Erwin Moller[/color]
