URGENT - Help with creating a store locator for my website.

robbiedobbie

Hi Everyone,

I'm in the process of trying to create a store locator for my website. I've used some script which I found on Aciddrop.com. Here's a link to the URL for the tutorial - http://aciddrop.com/2007/12/17/quick-easy-and-free-nearest-store-postcodezip-finder/ and here's what the store locator should look like once finished - http://aciddrop.com/aciddrop/easy-store-finder-tutorial.php.

Unfortunately, I am a complete novice at both PHP and MySQL. I've tried to follow the tutorial they have provided, but am really struggling with it.

I am running an Apache Server on my Windows machine and have MySQL and phpMyAdmin installed using the Xampp Control Panel if this helps.

Do any of you guys have a few minutes just to create a step-by-step guide to instruct me on what I should be doing. I've created the table in MySQL, so that all ready. The problem I'm having is to get the functions to work and to make the store locator sit on my homepage? I do pick up things quite quickly, but if you could write it as simply as possible, I'd be grateful.

I've really got to try and get this site up and running as soon as possible, so if I could hear at your earliest convenience, I'd also be grateful.

Thanks in anticipation.

Rob

djjjozsi

If you install this script on your local machine (called home pc)

that is not working on your website.

Install the script on your website's server.

jjozsi.

robbiedobbie

Hi djjjozsi,

Thank you for your quick response.

I have to admit I'm a complete newbie to phpMyAdmin and MySQL and that's the reason I'm having problems. Ideally I need a video tutorial to guide me through this.

I've seen both your YouTube tutorials for calculating the distance between two UK postcodes. I think they're great. However, they're not entirely what I was after. What I'm after, if you have the time, is a YouTube tutorial showing how to do the Aciddrop.com tutorial. If you could, I'd be extremely grateful.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Rob

djjjozsi

Ideally I need a video tutorial to guide me through this.

this might helpful to you
http://dailyphp.blogspot.com/2009/03/zip-finder.html

robbiedobbie

Hi Djjjozsi,

I haven't gone through it yet, but it looks brilliant!

I really owe you one. I don't know if you'll ever need help with search engine optimisation or online marketing, but that is what I specialise in. Please feel free to ask me for advice.

Many thanks

Rob

robbiedobbie

Hi Djjjozsi,

Thanks for the friendship request. I've now added you.

On another note, I've just had a go at the tutorial. Everything was going well and I found it really easy to follow, but unfortunately there seems to be a problem as when the video gets about half way through it just stops. If I try to hit play again, it just takes me back to the beginning of the tutorial.

Any ideas???

Thanks

Rob

djjjozsi

Hello,

you can download from here too:
http://data.hu/get/1261519/phpcode_tutorial.mp4.html

i don't know why interrupted your version.

hello, jjozsi.

robbiedobbie

Hi jjozsi,

Many thanks for the new link that works perfectly now.

Thank you very much for all your help!

Regards

Rob

djjjozsi

Your welcome,

and don't forget to set this thread as resolved if you think its solved.

robbiedobbie

Hi jjozsi,

I've hit a slight problem.

I've followed your tutorial very closely and tried it a few times now in case I'd missed something, but each time when I upload to my web server, it displays a whole load of code instead of the postcode finder.

It's probably a setting I've missed or something, but do you have any ideas??? I'm using Xampp if this helps!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Rob

djjjozsi

maybe in your system the short open tag has disabled.

in the source code replace the <? into <?php

if you see an echo combined with short tag, replace into:
<?= $_GET['postcode'] ?>

<?php echo $_GET['postcode']; ?>

(leave the closing block ?> )

Hello, jjozsi.

robbiedobbie

Hi jjozsi,

I've just gone back through the whole tutorial and and did exactly what you said re: adding 'php', etc., but now unfortunately I am getting a 'Page cannot be found' error message when I enter the URL.

I'm sorry to keep bothering you, but I'm sure this is just something wrong with one of my settings somewhere. Do you have any idea what I could be doing wrong or what I can do to fix this?

Once again, many thanks for all your help with this.

Rob

djjjozsi

lets see the action in your form: action="XXXXX"
lets change the XXXX into the correct file name how you uploaded the .php file.

robbiedobbie

Hi jjozsi,

I've just done as you said and got the page with a muddle of code once again.

I thought it might have been a caching issue, so I cleared my cache and retyped in the URL, but accidentally typed it in wrong and the search box appeared??? Here's the URL:

http://www.theseowheel.com//easy-store-finder-tutorial.php

However, if you type a postcode in the box, it comes up with a message now saying "Unable to connect!".

Apologies, but I know I must be quite close with this now!

Many thanks

Rob

djjjozsi

lets seek into that part in the video where i show you how to set-up the mysql database.

i was telling the details about : the localhost, and password ans username

search box appeared

you've already had this program in that folder (maybe)

this code still have a very big problem, it is using short open tags meanwile your server don't supposed this coding technique any more.
you have to change the <? intp <?php

<?= into <?php echo ..... ; ?>

just have a look at your source code, you see the PHP source code! its very dangerous!
just think of a case where you set up the database connection in short open tags, if i know the DB conn file name, i can see it in the browser. this is that reason why its a suggested trick to place the includes outside the HTTP root folder.
i can find your password in a minute if you know this settings-program combinations.

good luck.

robbiedobbie

Hi jjozsi,

I'm getting really confused now. I've gone through your tutorial several times now and tried the solutions you've mentioned above but I still don't seem to be getting anywhere.

I've typed in the localhost (also tried IP too), the username and passwords I created for MySQL as you've mentioned in the tutorial and still nothing. I just keep getting that message 'Unable to connect!'.

I've also changed the tags in the code like you've mentioned above.

I'm fairly sure it's a setting I'm missing. As I say, I'm using Xampp on an Apache Server. Could there be a setting which I've missed which is preventing the webpage from accessing the database on my server? I set Xampp up about a week ago myself and it says everything is activated, but I'm not so sure.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Rob

djjjozsi

lets go to phpmyadmin, and press the Privileges link.

you need to have at least one mysql user, you can see the username and password.

if you haven't got add a user, and that is the username and password which
goes to the mysql connection program.

this program uses the google API features, and i don't know if this is a part of a default apache server installation. Lets ask an xampp guru.

helo, jjozsi.

robbiedobbie

Hi jjozsi,

I've just checked and there isn't a user set up for MySQL. I've just set one up, but do I grant the user 'all privileges'?

Also, sorry, but are you asking an Xampp guru or are you suggesting I ask one? If so, do you know where I can find one to ask?

Cheers

Rob

djjjozsi

set all privil... and if the program is rnning,

set just these:
SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, FILE

and grant is off.

this is the finally place where you insert this application ? or is it just the localhost developement?