please help a newbie...

rhock

I am just learning mySQL/php
I have used scripts that utilized databases but there was very little configuration needed to set up.

Now I want to build by own application..."A searchable database of local business listings"

the listing are in plain text in 'unordered lists' i.e. :

Business Name
business street address
city, state, zip
phone number
http://wwwdomain.com

Can anyone describe (in detail) how to compose the text that will create mySQL tables that will accept the data (business listings)described above?
Thanks to anyone taking the time to offer missives...

Richard,

theeper

To create the table, read this ...

http://www.mysql.com/doc/en/CREATE_TABLE.html

To get the data from your text file into the table, read this ...

http://www.mysql.com/doc/en/LOAD_DATA.html

rhock

If I was able to accomplish what I asked for help with I would have no need to seek help!

I asked for help to try and avoid any more countless hours of attempts and errors...
if no one is able to offer assistance so be it

siwis

No, its not that nobody is willing to help, it is more that everybody's time is valuable, NOT just yours.

What you request specific instruction on are the basic building blocks of php/mysql integration. If you cannot find anything to help you get past that first hurdle then either you should give up now, or go buy a book on the subject and be prepared to invest those hours that the rest of us have already invested.

If you've used other peoples scripts which rely on database integration, you already have the very building blocks you seek.

Alternatively, go and indertake some step by step lessons:
here's a good one - WebMonkey

rhock

and I perfectly understand the value of everyones time...

... I have been through the 'webmonkey' tutorial several times as well as several others... WM is one of the better ones ...BUT they are all the same when it comes to using non-relevant data... If I ws trying to learn from theory I would have to start way before you bring mysql into the mix...that is where I have the dificulty in learning from non-relevant demonstrations...
... perhaps it is too much to ask? but once I am able to see the EXACT text required to build the tables related to MY lists...I could learn from that how to then insert,query and display the data...

...to use the application specific online tutorials requires a user to create the tables emulating the demo...as well as understanding of other functions not the topic of consideration...

The manual is well commented there are just way too many variables to wade through ... getting a script to run on a local config can be entirely different than on a similar remote sys.

thanks for the replies
Richard

MY lists

siwis

Nobody can provide you with your specific table set up other than you because nobody else is building your exact application.

Why not go grab a copy of phpmyadmin and then see how it creates drops updates inserts etc etc etc In fact, why not simply use phpmyadmin to create your db in the first place, its what I do.

Just to get you going tho, here's a pretty typical CREATE from one of my own apps:

CREATE TABLE guestbook_data (
id smallint(5) NOT NULL auto_increment,
gb_name varchar(128) NOT NULL,
gb_email varchar(128),
gb_locn varchar(128),
gb_country varchar(64),
gb_homepage varchar(128),
gb_comments text NOT NULL,
gb_mod_comments text NOT NULL,
gb_date datetime DEFAULT '0000-00-00 00:00:00' NOT NULL,
PRIMARY KEY (id),
UNIQUE id (id),
KEY id_2 (id)
);

the minimum required for any field is its name and its data_type
Numerical datatypes must have a field size defined (hense varchar(128) etc)
NULL/NOT NULL means that the field(s) will/will not be filled with "NULL" if the data field is empty for any record
auto_increment means exactly that.

As for the rest, you need to swallow that mysql handbook ;-)

rhock

I do use phpmyadmin... I have no problems creating tables...What I am lacking in is the understanding of doing it so I can load (as text files)long lists of listings... and have all the right data in the right places... i.e., query by name, city, etc...?

what I mean is for me to be able to enter the data (40,000+ listings) without making any changes to the current format (copy and paste to .txt) is this even possible? or will the data have to be entered on line at a time?

again, I can create tables I just don't know how to create them to accept my data as is .

Thanks again...

siwis

What format is the data currently in?

If its in csv or some similar delimited format than it should be a breeze.

I run XP and the "new" version of notepad has the replace tool added to it, so if I need to do a massive data drop I create the sql for each line within notepad and then paste it into the text field in phpmyadmin

alternatively, save it as a file and browse to it.

Either way, your sql (per line) needs to end up looking like this:

INSERT INTO tablename (fieldname1, fieldname2, fieldname3) VALUES ('data1', 'data2', 'data3');

so with my csv file, I'd open it in excel and insert 2 columns, a new column A and a new column Z (or whatever is the last).
Then I'd enter a daft character into every cell in that column, eg # or ~ (ensure it doesn't appear anywhere within the data) and the two columns need 2 different characters inserting.

Now I save back to csv (you need to ensure there are no commas within the data aswell, unless you choose a different delimiter character)

Now open up your csv file in a text editior and replace all your delimiter characters with ', '
Now replace your column A characters with INSERT INTO tablename (fieldname1, fieldname2, fieldname3) VALUES ('
Now replace all your column Z characters with ');
bobs your uncle, as long as you ensure that none of the chars you replaced existed in your data.