My First Time With PHP - Looking For Guidance
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:10 pm
I need some mentors - guidance on a project that will be my first venture with PHP. Especially to suggest resources to learn how to do each piece of the project.
Background:
I have a specific personal project and need an interactive website with a database. First question was - which language is "best" to use (i.e. learning curve, works with a database, it doesn't need to be complex)? PHP seems to have an edge over the others (at least in my opinion from what I've read).
Project:
I have run an NFL football pool for many years. It started with players circling their picks on a sheet of paper, submitting it to me and I entered their picks on a spreadsheet, posting results (on the spreadsheet), etc. The pool has grown over the years. Now players get a spreadsheet with the season's schedule to enter their weekly picks, copy/paste picks into an email, send email to me. I copy/paste their picks, massage the data - email clients and tabs issue - and copy/paste the massaged data into the master spreadsheet. Everything at my end is on a spreadsheet, a sheet with everyone's weekly picks, results, season summary, winnings and a few others.
This season I want to enhance 2 parts:
#1 Online picking (eliminating the Weekly Picks Spreadsheet and submitting via email).
.....I download the database with their picks, import or copy/paste into the spreadsheets, etc.
#2 Player Profile & Preferences - online, edited by the player, of course.
Where do I begin? I'm guessing #2 would be the first task to build to get my feet wet.
If it is #2, then here are some of the design specs:
1. User login and password.
For simplicity and expediency the players send me an email with a requested ID & Password. I create their record and send them a reply with the URL address for logging in.
2. Entering and editing the User Profile & Preferences. Profile info - like hometown, address and phone#. Preferences - like 1 or 2 email addresses, whether they want Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday emails reminding them to submit their picks.
I'm ready to begin learning PHP. And I have a great motivation to learn having a specific project in mind, with a deadline! (Ready to go in August).
I do have an account with Lunarpages.com.
Where do you suggest I begin my training?
Background:
I have a specific personal project and need an interactive website with a database. First question was - which language is "best" to use (i.e. learning curve, works with a database, it doesn't need to be complex)? PHP seems to have an edge over the others (at least in my opinion from what I've read).
Project:
I have run an NFL football pool for many years. It started with players circling their picks on a sheet of paper, submitting it to me and I entered their picks on a spreadsheet, posting results (on the spreadsheet), etc. The pool has grown over the years. Now players get a spreadsheet with the season's schedule to enter their weekly picks, copy/paste picks into an email, send email to me. I copy/paste their picks, massage the data - email clients and tabs issue - and copy/paste the massaged data into the master spreadsheet. Everything at my end is on a spreadsheet, a sheet with everyone's weekly picks, results, season summary, winnings and a few others.
This season I want to enhance 2 parts:
#1 Online picking (eliminating the Weekly Picks Spreadsheet and submitting via email).
.....I download the database with their picks, import or copy/paste into the spreadsheets, etc.
#2 Player Profile & Preferences - online, edited by the player, of course.
Where do I begin? I'm guessing #2 would be the first task to build to get my feet wet.
If it is #2, then here are some of the design specs:
1. User login and password.
For simplicity and expediency the players send me an email with a requested ID & Password. I create their record and send them a reply with the URL address for logging in.
2. Entering and editing the User Profile & Preferences. Profile info - like hometown, address and phone#. Preferences - like 1 or 2 email addresses, whether they want Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday emails reminding them to submit their picks.
I'm ready to begin learning PHP. And I have a great motivation to learn having a specific project in mind, with a deadline! (Ready to go in August).
I do have an account with Lunarpages.com.
Where do you suggest I begin my training?