What should I keep in mind?

[mabans]

I'm currently programming a website shopping cart. The client wants to eventually want to have connectivity between the site and thier inventory software. How can this be done. I will not be involved in that process but what should I keep in mind when coding the current site. I have been looking into using ODBC to connect to windows but I'm not sure if this the right direction because I have to know what database is being used to save that information.

[Option]

If you are asking this question, with all due respect i dont think that you are going to be able to create a shopping cart all that easily but i can give you some design tips.

You need to create a full specification (non-technical). How will the interface work? How will the user be able to interact with the cart? etc

Then you need to create a full TECHNICAL specification. Start by thinking how the most complicated parts of your code are going to work then make sure you have gathered information on how you will go about coding the cart.

Next you need to start your coding. Make sure everything you do is secure. Make sure your cart cannot be broken into by hackers and such like

After that comes the interface design, this is the point where you put all of your cart together to make it look good. The interface you design in this stage will probably not be your final interface.

Test it...very carefully with a needle.

Alter stuff that doesnt work then test again

When you are sure it works properly you can make the final changes to the interface and all is done.

Good Luck