PHP or MySQL or both?

konradk

I've heard tell that PHP has pretty powerful database and query functions - although strictly speaking it is nothing like MySQL - but they both work together well. AS a newbie I've been asked to look into, maybe design an online booking system for non-profit tennis clubs.

I would be most grateful for any ideas and comments

thank you

Travis

You'll need database software, such as MySQL, to use such functions. It would be a good idea to learn both. You could use flat files, but thats not very secure.. or easy 😛

planetsim

Flatfile is only insecure if you have the files within the web document root otherwise its just slow.

I've heard tell that PHP has pretty powerful database and query functions - although strictly speaking it is nothing like MySQL

Umm.. if your saying PHP is a database your greatly mistaken PHP is a web programming language which has database functions to interact with many databases. MySQL being the most popular and it also getting its on category of functions to interact with the database.

As for starting out with an online booking system. Will this involve the exchange of money if so, I would be very careful and make sure you have a fair bit of knowledge within PHP first and Ecommerce.

konradk

thanks,
ecommerce is/will be a VERY important consideration but not necessary right now since it is all NFP (notforprofit)
our original thought was that we might be able to use PHP
on its own for a very simple scripting/database operation
since there would only be around a 100 members
and to keep it simple, a flat file with only 6 fields would do

TheDefender

Konradk, I recommend you plan for tomorrow, and not for today. You would be better served developing the system using the database, because before you know it, things will become to cumbersome for a flatfile system. Say it takes you an extra few weeks to develop it now... Well, that's better than losing those weeks while you are trying to conduct your business.

corporateboy

konradk,

When I started using PHP I looked at using Flat File or MySQL

The added difficulty of MySQL is so miniscule compared to the data control, speed and storage potential of the database.

konradk

thank for the words of wisdom .....
guess the message is "don't go flat" or you'll get fat
MySQL will keep you lean ... so you'll be mean .. 🙂