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conceptual question

Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 10:23 am
by phpDVWeaver
I am working on a web site using html, php and mysql. I am dividing the page to sections (Personal info section, Project Section, figure section…) I have each section on a separate page.

I want to give the user the possibility to save the information he entered and finish it later on.

Can any 1 throw some hints?

Should I save the entered data in the same database and keep track of the (page/section) where he stopped at, or save the info in a separate (‘temporary’) database and once he’s done parse this data to the permanent database.

Thanks

Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 10:45 am
by Begby
I would save it into the main database then have an additional field to mark the information as completed or not completed. You can then timestamp it and occasionally delete old information that is not completed.

By finish it later, how much later do you mean? If we are talking minutes then use sessions.

Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 10:57 am
by phpDVWeaver
MAn you're a life saver. thanks a lot
One more question. When the user comes back t finish entering data I want him to start where he ended up last time. Do I need another field to remember the page if the status field says incomplete
yop I am using sessions.

Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 11:00 am
by Begby
You are going to have to have them log in if their session has expired in order to retrieve their half done information from the database.

Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 11:08 am
by phpDVWeaver
sure and once they enter their session, they should start from the page they stopped at last time they used the program. you think having a field to remember the page will be usefull for this task.

thanks