login with user/pass

reking

i'm trying to make my own login form with username and password without using that .htaccess stuff (because then I would need that ugly windows-integrated popup on my site, right? (if you're using windows, that is) ).
so what i want is a file that contains all the usernames and passwords, right? do i need to use cookies to do this?

thanks

wizkid

Hi,

do you have access to a real database (like mySQL)?

wizkid

reking

the server supports mySQL, but i have know idea how to use it.

MrAlaska

First you need to learn the basics:

The best way to learn is to install all the tools on your home system and dive in. You can find tutorials to help you set up Apache/PhP/MySql such as this one for windows systems (I have not actually used these articles, but at least some people found them helpful):
http://www.devarticles.com/content.php?articleId=202&page=1
http://robouk.mchost.com/tuts/tutorial.php?tutorial=server1

You can also find packages that wrap and install the needed applications. Some are more updated than others, some give you more or less control than you might want, some might have bug issues. Most of them have their own forums. You might find it pays to check them out before installing if you go this route.

On my home system (W98) I opted to install EasyPHP (some bugs, errors in French). It was not the result of any research, it just happened to be the first 'all in one' package I encountered. I have since heard about some other packages but I have not tried them. I have heard that FoxServ is the most up to date, PhpTriad may have discontinued developement, and I have not heard much of anything about PhpDev.

http://easyphp.org/ (EasyPhp for windows)
http://www.foxserv.net/portal.php (FoxServ windows or linux)
http://sourceforge.net/projects/phptriad/ (PhpTriad windows)
http://firepages.com.au/ (PhpDev windows)

A forum such as this comes in very handy when addressing the individual issues and confusions you may run into. There is also a wealth of information on the net. A google search with keywords like; PHP MYSQL BEGINNER TUTORIAL; will return thousands of pages. Then there are is the basic arsenal:

There is the php manual, which contains within its pages all the facts and functions at your disposal, which is also available for download: It also contains a beginning tutorial and is available in several languages.
http://www.php.net/manual/en/
http://www.php.net/manual/en/tutorial.php

If you don't know SQL you should really search out some SQL tutorials. (maybe http://www.sqlcourse.com ) Even if you DO know SQL you need to familiarize yourself with MySql. Their documentation also has a basic tutorial that is based on working from the shell which might seem confusing if you are in PHP mode, but if you are new to SQL installing it locally and working from the shell could turn out to be an invaluable way to gain a level of understanding that will pay for itself many times over:
http://www.mysql.com/doc/en/index.html

There are tons of tutorial all over the net, many of which can be very helpful. I found my introduction to PHP/MySql at Webmonkey.
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/programming/php/
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/programming/php/tutorials/tutorial4.html

wizkid

Hi,

it would be easier (and safer) for you to eventually use the mySQL database.
I would recommend you to learn how to use the mySQL database in combination with PHP. Below some tutorials:

wizkid

frymaster

once you have yr mysql running and feel marginally comfortable with it i'd suggest getting a pre-built login script. the two i'd recommend are:

php_secure_pages
php_lib_login

both can be got from freshmeat.net

stolzyboy

all good suggestions, but by the way, that .htaccess ugly popup you see isn't a windows thing, it is an inherent linux application for security access. my suggestions is to use mysql like everyone said, so you can check against your database your usernames and passwords, and use mysql's password function, which isn't supposed to be able to be decrypted