message board creation (using PHP & mySQL)

[jaephp]

hi. I am trying to create a simple message board system
for my web page using PHP and mySQL.

I know HTML, CSS, and javascript, all of which I used to
create my web page. Now I would really like to use some
basic PHP and mySQL (i've downloaded both to my computer)
in order to create a message board to add to the page.

Basically, I just hope to create something similar (but
more basic) to the message board here-- allowing users
to see a page listing all topics available, and click on
topics and threads they find interesting; and of course
to enter a new message, either as a reply or a new topic.

i guess im hoping to see if someone has done such
work in the past that i might use their code as a learning
tool, or any suggestions that get me started as right now
im quite unsure how to begin...

i actually am new to this site so i hope this question
is clear and is appropriate.
thanks in advance for any assistance...
jaephp

[planetsim]

Firstly making a message board is a hard thing. Just starting PHP and MySQL it wouldnt be a wise idea to go straight into a Message Board.

However it was my second major project i made.

Id suggest first, learning the basic PHP syntax so if,switch, echo, print, eval, file(functions). MySQL Functions and of course SQL.

Id suggest making a simple news system that can add, edit, delete and show.

From there you'll have the basic SQL ,PHP knowledge to make a simple board.

You'll however need to consider using Cookies or sessions for the users.

[drawmack]

Here is a list of projects you may wish to tackle first:

1) Allow users to log in an out of your website
2) Have a database driven links area
3) Do a database driven guestbook

After these then you might be ready to tackle the forum.