file.php?section=here << how?

[Crick]

Hi, I'm just learning PHP and I would like to learn how to make it so that I can a number of pages in one file so the that link would look like the subject. For example for my multimedia page the wallpapers section link would look like this:
http://domain.com/multimedia.php?section=wallpaper

If somebody could lead me to a tutorial or just tell me the script I would insert I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

[pnoeric]

Crick--

rather than answer your question, I would ask first: why? because it looks cool, or because there's a real need for it? remember, don't introduce added complexity if there isn't a reason to do so.

ok, now, the easiest way is to just get the variable and make that the name of an include file:

$f = $_GET['f'];
// for added security, check that $f is valid here
include($f);

note that you REALLY want to do that security step I mention above, or else someone can view anything on your site. bad ;-) --or, an easy way to do that is to have all 'approved' files end in '.ok' and then you append the suffix in the include():

$f = $_GET['f'];
// for added security, check that $f is valid here
include($f.'.ok');

best
Eric

[Crick]

Thanks for the info, I did't really understand it... but I'll have a wirl at it 🙂.

The reason I need it is because I am working on a rather large site for someone and the site has sections with many many links in them and I wanted to limit the number of files in my ftp so that's it's easier to edit it and sort through.

But if it's possible for you to lead me to a more detailed tutorial on this it would be great, otherwise thanks for helping out.

Thanks.

[pnoeric]

hmmm. this isn't really going to reduce the number of files you ftp. you may want to investigate a better/more robust/easier ftp client instead of trying to fix this in php. not trying to be "sassy" here, that just seems like a better place to try to solve the "problem".

best
eric

[Crick]

oh, so it's not possible to put more than one page in a single notepad huh?

ok then, thanks for the help 😃

[edwardsbc]

Oh it is very possible to put more than one function in a single PHP page. Just use a control structure to, uh, control what gets seen.

$f=$_GET['f'];
#... test it for validity ...etc.
#
if($f=='page1') {
  echo '<p>I am page one!</p>';
  }
if($f=='page2') {
  echo '<p>I am page two!</p>';
  }

Obviously, this is a trite example. A true implementation would be much more complex (HTML headers, footers, and some real functionality), but you should get the picture.

I make "single" page PHP files that display database results and allow adds, edits, and deletes. I would recommend you group the functions in a file logically so that you can share code common to all functions (like variables, db connections, validation code, etc).

[pnoeric]

yeah, what edwardsbc said :-) but if it's a complex web app... and the only reason you want to combine things into one file is because it makes ftping less of a hassle... trust me, you're better off solving the ftp problem and keeping separate (complex) php scripts in separate disk files. my US$0.02!

best
Eric

[psy]

you could also make a huge html class with each section in it.. then after you validate 'f' just do something like $html->section

but i think youre better off taking their advice and sorting out the ftp problem