Hi all! PHP Newbie Doobie here!

awarren71

I'm in the process of trying to figure out how to set up a menu system that can be easily maintained and expanded, and it's been recommended that I use PHP to accomplish this. The site I'm working on will contain several product categories, and the owner plans to expand on these categories each month, so you can see why I am concerned about this 🙂

Anyone know of any good tuts out there that I can use for this specific purpose? I've gone through the basic ones, that explain how to create php statements, basic rules of syntax, using variables, using if then statements, etc. Now I'm ready to get into what I set out to do in the first place - get the nav menu working!

Btw, I have a background in application programming (did a little c/c++) so that helped me get through the basic stuff fairly quickly.

Any suggestions would be wonderful. Thanks 🙂

Amanda

tha_mink

MySQL database backend>>>Store the categories in a database table as well as the products then populate the menus with the categoryies from the database.

With a health bunch of forms for your client to add stuff to the database you should be all set.

You can get started here...

http://www.devshed.com/Server_Side/PHP/Commerce/Commerce1/page1.html

shawon22

or you could just make your menu in a different page and later on you could just include it whereever u needed

awarren71

...the 1st suggestion sounds a lot more complex than the 2nd suggestion - am I right?

I'm asking this because I am a newbie where PHP is concerned, and I just took a peek at the link tha_mink provided (thanks btw) - it looks pretty deep.

Now what Shawon22 is suggesting sounds like it might be doable considering my current state (did I mention I only have 2 weeks to pull this off?) :rolleyes:

Anyway, please clarify - for the 2nd option, do I create a file, say like: dynamicmenu.php, and then call it in my other php files (which also contain all the regular html stuff) like this:

<?php include('dynamicmenu.php')?>

Or am I way off base here? If so, what goes into the dynamic menu file that makes it different from, say a regular html file with <a href> tags and whatnot, that typically make up a menu?? Also, how do I create a system to maintain this, and can it be managed by the owner of the site, or is it advisable that I manage it in the future?

Can you both tell that I'm a little in over my head here?? :eek:

I would LOVE to figure out the 1st suggestion - just give me some time, and I WILL 😉 I'm just not so sure that 2 weeks is enough to pull it off.

Thanks for your advice,

Amanda

tha_mink

You are asking how to build a flexable dynamic application that can grow right? To do that you need to establish a foundation to build upon. The reason you have been advised to use php/mysql is to accomplish this task.

<?php include('dynamicmenu.php')?>

Yes...that is a line of code you could use at some point. Its good but...if you have no 'dynamicmenu.php' then it doesn't do you much good now does it? If you want a dynamic application...learn how to write one. PHP/MySQL gives you the tools and shows you the door...now you just have to walk through it.

You ask for a dynamic application so your client can add, edit and remove categories...so make one. It makes no sense to have a static page that is put in your html with a php include. It is basically the same as hard coding the whole thing. (ok maybe a little easier but still....static)

Trust me...it isn't that hard to do and if you take the time to learn how...you will be rewarded in the end, not to mention the world of possibility that will open up for you.

If the link I gave was a little too thick...try a google search on PHP mysql tutorials and pick an easier one. It is all the same in the end. It's the theory you need to conquer not the syntax. Syntax is easy to pick up and you can get lots of help with it here.

PS...two weeks is plenty. One thing leads into another...trust me

awarren71

...my firt reaction to your up-font reply was to be a little ticked off 🙁

But now that I really think about what you are saying - you are absolutely right! 😉

Thanks - I'll let you know when I get it all figured out.

Amanda