PHP Flat File Database - How to Load and Edit Lines?

[matt]

I am using a text file as a database, each field delimited by ||
I want to be able to print all lines to a page, then by selecting one
(with, say, a radio button) it will load into the form at the bottom of
the page, where I can edit the fields, and save back to the same line in
the text file.

I dont know how to use primary keys or anything with a text file
database, any help in this would be appreciated!
Thanks
matt

[Tim Van Wassenhove]

On 2005-01-26, matt <mc*****@gmail.com> wrote:

I am using a text file as a database, each field delimited by ||
I want to be able to print all lines to a page, then by selecting one
(with, say, a radio button) it will load into the form at the bottom of
the page, where I can edit the fields, and save back to the same line in
the text file.

I dont know how to use primary keys or anything with a text file
database, any help in this would be appreciated!

Well, you could consider each line to be unique by it's linenumber.

--
Met vriendelijke groeten,
Tim Van Wassenhove <http://www.timvw.info>

[matt]

Tim Van Wassenhove wrote:

On 2005-01-26, matt <mc*****@gmail.com> wrote:

I am using a text file as a database, each field delimited by ||
I want to be able to print all lines to a page, then by selecting one
(with, say, a radio button) it will load into the form at the bottom of
the page, where I can edit the fields, and save back to the same line in
the text file.

I dont know how to use primary keys or anything with a text file
database, any help in this would be appreciated!

Well, you could consider each line to be unique by it's linenumber.

ok, but is it possible to do it all in one page, select from the list,
load it back into the form at the bottom, and then save back over
itself? how do i go about finding the line numbers?

[Tim Van Wassenhove]

On 2005-01-26, matt <mc*****@gmail.com> wrote:

Tim Van Wassenhove wrote:

On 2005-01-26, matt <mc*****@gmail.com> wrote:

I am using a text file as a database, each field delimited by ||
I want to be able to print all lines to a page, then by selecting one
(with, say, a radio button) it will load into the form at the bottom of
the page, where I can edit the fields, and save back to the same line in
the text file.

I dont know how to use primary keys or anything with a text file
database, any help in this would be appreciated!

Well, you could consider each line to be unique by it's linenumber.

ok, but is it possible to do it all in one page, select from the list,
load it back into the form at the bottom, and then save back over
itself?

Yes it's possible.

how do i go about finding the line numbers?

Count while you are reading.

or do it like this:

$file = '/tmp/test';

// read file into array
$lines = explode("\n", file_get_contents($file));

// output each line with it's linenumber
foreach($lines as $num => $val)
{
$val = htmlentities($val);
echo "<p><input type='radio' name='line' value='$num'>$val
</p>";
}

// now manipulate the $lines array
.....

// write array into file - might want to read the manual if you're not
// using php5 for an alternative
file_put_contents($file, implode("\n", $lines));


--
Met vriendelijke groeten,
Tim Van Wassenhove <http://www.timvw.info>

[R. Rajesh Jeba Anbiah]

matt wrote:

I am using a text file as a database, each field delimited by ||
I want to be able to print all lines to a page, then by selecting one (with, say, a radio button) it will load into the form at the bottom of the page, where I can edit the fields, and save back to the same line in the text file.

I dont know how to use primary keys or anything with a text file
database, any help in this would be appreciated!

Don't invent your own flat file DB. There are plenty of such works
available.

You may also try PHP way:
1. http://in.php.net/var_export with include()
2. http://in.php.net/serialize and unserialize()

--
<?php echo 'Just another PHP saint'; ?>
Email: rrjanbiah-at-Y!com Blog: http://rajeshanbiah.blogspot.com/

[matt]

R. Rajesh Jeba Anbiah wrote:

matt wrote:

I am using a text file as a database, each field delimited by ||
I want to be able to print all lines to a page, then by selecting one

(with, say, a radio button) it will load into the form at the bottom

of

the page, where I can edit the fields, and save back to the same line

in

the text file.

I dont know how to use primary keys or anything with a text file
database, any help in this would be appreciated!

Don't invent your own flat file DB. There are plenty of such works
available.

You may also try PHP way:
1. http://in.php.net/var_export with include()
2. http://in.php.net/serialize and unserialize()

--
<?php echo 'Just another PHP saint'; ?>
Email: rrjanbiah-at-Y!com Blog: http://rajeshanbiah.blogspot.com/

i already have it adding records, and erasing records, but i just want
to be able to edit records (or lines) and save back over itself...

i've tried to use 1 page to select the line to edit, then send that info
to another page to edit it, but i'm not winning...

[artlangs]

Try changing the db format to arrays and serialize it -- which will be
indexed by their numberical keys. Then you open the file, unserialize
it, loop to output the key, and the other info, maybe include a hidden
field with the value of the key, and then when you submit it to edit
it, load the stuff with that key. . .