ICT Course work

[Adrian]

I am currently trying to do my final piece of coursework for my ICT
A-level, Fo r the course work we have to make a web based database or
something releated. I have chosen to do a site whjere people can order
products. Our teacher has told us that we need to use Mysql and PHP. I
also want to use a login. I want the site to work like:

When the user isnt logged in they cant make any orders but when they
are the can then proceed further on the order page so they can get on
to a secure connection and place an order.

I really have no idea where to start with this and i dont really have
aby experience writing PHP. I would really appreciate it if someone
could tell me where to start and really give me any advise on this.

Any information will be gratefully recieved

Thanks

[Kevin Thorpe]

Adrian wrote:

I am currently trying to do my final piece of coursework for my ICT
A-level, Fo r the course work we have to make a web based database or
something releated. I have chosen to do a site whjere people can order
products. Our teacher has told us that we need to use Mysql and PHP. I
also want to use a login. I want the site to work like:

When the user isnt logged in they cant make any orders but when they
are the can then proceed further on the order page so they can get on
to a secure connection and place an order.

I really have no idea where to start with this and i dont really have
aby experience writing PHP. I would really appreciate it if someone
could tell me where to start and really give me any advise on this.

We aren't here to do your homework for you.

I'm not being rude, that's the way it is. If you are struggling so much
then it's a poor reflection on the teaching you've had (or laziness on
your part).

What I suggest it to review the work you've done on your course. The
hints (usually blatant) should be there. If that's your project then the
course must have covered the principles.

Start working on an outline to the project:
1). logging in + security
2). display catalogue contents
3). shopping basket code
4). simple credit card details form
When you get stuck and have a specific question to ask then please come
back.

[Geoff Berrow]

I noticed that Message-ID: <40**********************@news.easynet.co.uk>
from Kevin Thorpe contained the following:

<snip>

A little harsh Kevin. Since most of these projects are done using
Access, I think we can be a little more encouraging. I've seen projects
pass where that databases simply would not work.

Start working on an outline to the project:
1). logging in + security
2). display catalogue contents
3). shopping basket code
4). simple credit card details form
When you get stuck and have a specific question to ask then please come
back.

I'm an ICT teacher in the UK. I've not taught this project but from
what I remember from watching colleagues teach it the above would be
more complex than is required. The bulk of the marks are usually for
analysis and design and so it does not pay to get bogged down over
implementation.

Get a copy of the mark scheme. You teacher should be able to provide
you with a check list. Study it to see what you have to do to get
maximum marks and then produce the simplest project you can that will
achieve them.

You'll need a table for customers and one for products. You'll also
need one for orders. If one order can contain many products you will
need a link table as well. Consider the relationships carefully and the
rest will slot into place. Get it wrong and you are headed for trouble.
You need to be clear about what you mean by 'login' (html is a stateless
protocol). I suspect that for this, all you need do is check whether
the customer is existing or new. A shopping cart would be nice, but
it's quite a bit extra in terms of code and you may find it does not
gain any extra marks.

You will need to know how to code HTML, a little SQL and PHP. It may
help to do a couple of simple tutorials (there are plenty on the 'net)
and a PHP/MySQL tutorial. Try
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/99/21/index2a.html (however, IIRC
this tutorial requires register_globals to be on).

Good luck!
--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

[Adrian]

Hey thanks for that link, is a very useful site and i actualy
understand whats on it!! Thank you!

I just want to say though im not lazy, and the teaching ive had hasnt
been that bad, i just think its a good idea to post messages to ask
people things because chances are if there looking at this group
"comp.lang.php" then there going to know a thing or to about what i
want to know .. and whats the worse that could happen.. someone might
.... disagree with you or say you shouldnt try to get them to do your
work well if i get a load of them and just one half useful post i
think it was worthwhile doing.

Anyway ...

We have been told to use dreamweaver to make our sites, and ive made a
couple PHP pages with some forms on collecting the infomation i think
i need... this is where im getting stuck now...

Do sites made in dreamweaver put information it collects into a table
that i can then import into access?

[Geoff Berrow]

I noticed that Message-ID:
<c2**************************@posting.google.com > from Adrian contained
the following:

We have been told to use dreamweaver to make our sites,
Uh-oh. I assume the new version writes a lot of PHP for you does it?
and ive made a
couple PHP pages with some forms on collecting the infomation i think
i need... this is where im getting stuck now...

Do sites made in dreamweaver put information it collects into a table
that i can then import into access?

Eh?

I thought you were using MySql?

Look, this isn't magic, although if you use automated code generators
like Dreamweaver it might look like it.

You make a form. Each element in the form becomes a _POST variable
which is passed to the PHP script when you submit the form. The script
(however it is written) takes the variables and inserts them into a data
base using SQL. Assuming the database exists of course. And that you
have thought out the relationships.

By using automated code generators such as Dreamweaver it is extremely
unlikely that you will get to grips with the basic concepts. There is
no substitute fro getting your hands dirty and writing code!

I did think your teachers were being a bit optimistic. :-(

--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

[Kevin Thorpe]

Geoff Berrow wrote:

I noticed that Message-ID: <40**********************@news.easynet.co.uk>
from Kevin Thorpe contained the following:

<snip>

A little harsh Kevin. Since most of these projects are done using
Access, I think we can be a little more encouraging. I've seen projects
pass where that databases simply would not work.

Ah, probably. I think I've been spending too much time lurking on the
perl groups. Sorry to sound too negative.