The purpose of the form is that different people can go to its address like http://www.testmysitename.com , enter their information like First Name, Last Name, phone number, email address and attach a MS-Word document which has 2-3 pages description about them, their main aspects of biography.
In a nutshell, it would have five fields like Fname, LName, phone, email and the fifth would be a field with browse button. After the form is submitted, the Word document contents should be stored in a table in MySQL and the Word document would be emailed to a person.
I am completely new to PHP. But, I have head that building such a form with PHP and using MySQL as the backend should be possible.
1. Did I hear correctly that building such a form using PHP as front end and MySQL as back end can be done? Or, are there other tools/environments I should be looking to like Flex/Coldfusion?
2. How long would it take to create such a form approximately for a newbie like me? My programming background is more in C,C++, some HTML, Javascript.
I don't want to use tools like PHPMaker, Scripani and sites like http://www.formmail-maker.com/generator.php or tools like PHP Generator for MySQL since I am new to PHP, I guess building this will help me learn a new language.
3. Would I need Apache or IIS can be configured with PHP as IIS is already running on my machine(Windows XP). I don't know if Comcast would provide hosting of PHP pages on the webspace they provide(if they provide any hosting). If not, how difficult it is set up Apache on a XP machine.
4. When the Word document will be emailed is there a way that functionality can be tested if I don't have a mail server running? Or, if it is running on the webspace provided by Comcast, something can be worked out to test the functionality?
Any advice would be welcome.
Creating a form which can submit a Word document via email
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internet-solution
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Re: Creating a form which can submit a Word document via ema
1. Yes it can be done. If you are on windows, you can also use MS SQL server instead of MySQL. PHP supports both (+ other database servers)
2. To generate such form from scratch it should not take more than 4/5 hours + similar time for researching (Google, asking forums etc.) if you are new. This will also include setting up the database.
3. There is a PHP5 module in IIS. I believe it comes with Microsoft web development tool box. On the other hand setting up APCHE / PHP /MySQL on a windows box is not difficult.
4. On windows machine without e-mail server, you can use fsockopen to use your SMTP servers (you can find a code example here) or Gmail to send out e-mail messages. Then when you move to your webserver, you will be able to continue using these functions.
2. To generate such form from scratch it should not take more than 4/5 hours + similar time for researching (Google, asking forums etc.) if you are new. This will also include setting up the database.
3. There is a PHP5 module in IIS. I believe it comes with Microsoft web development tool box. On the other hand setting up APCHE / PHP /MySQL on a windows box is not difficult.
4. On windows machine without e-mail server, you can use fsockopen to use your SMTP servers (you can find a code example here) or Gmail to send out e-mail messages. Then when you move to your webserver, you will be able to continue using these functions.
Re: Creating a form which can submit a Word document via ema
Thanks for the reply and advice.
Will try it out and post here if have more questions. BTW, which books would you recommend for a person like me? I know a bit of Perl too along with C,C++,HTML, Javascript, Flex, Coldfusion
Will try it out and post here if have more questions. BTW, which books would you recommend for a person like me? I know a bit of Perl too along with C,C++,HTML, Javascript, Flex, Coldfusion
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internet-solution
- Forum Contributor
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 6:27 am
- Location: UK
Re: Creating a form which can submit a Word document via ema
I have never depended on programming books. There are plenty Guestbook / file upload /email examples/tutorials around. Google them. I would also suggest using php.net as reference.