Social Networking sites

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t_pinchen
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Social Networking sites

Post by t_pinchen »

Hey Everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone could explain to me how websites likes Facebook create editable user profiles, what scripting language are they likely to use (I assume php combined with MySQL)? Is it creating using forms?

Also i was wondering how the features on the profile work, for example adding friends, the wall etc?

I appreciate that this is a fairly large question but I am attempting to create a similar style social network and don't really know where to start.

Thank you for any help you can provide,
Tom :D
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Inkyskin
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Re: Social Networking sites

Post by Inkyskin »

They can be built using PHP and MySQL, but they don't have to be.

Building a social networking website is no small task. And basic PHP/MySQL knowledge won't get you very far. The database will hold all of the information. A user signs up, you put that data into the database, and work with it as needed for different sections.

I assume your question about the wall and adding friends is to do with the fade effects where the page doesn't reload - in that case it's done with Javascript, and also the server side language (In this discussion PHP/MySQL). Ajax to put a name to it.

As networks get larger, the code needs to be more refined, errors need to be handled more effectively, databases need to be optimized. "Learner" level code wouldn't hold out for very long...

What's your skill level would you say?
t_pinchen
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Re: Social Networking sites

Post by t_pinchen »

Hi InkySkin,

Thanks for your reply, I would say that my skill level is probably beginner lol.
I agree it is a large task, however I consider myself to pick things up fairly quickly. I am keen to to learn because I imagine if i take the time to learn it once, it will become a lot easier the second time round.

I unfortunately have no experience using AJAX and one of my biggest problems is not understanding how the scripting languages effectively work together, I understand things like handle forms in PHP and the relationship between PHP and MySQL but past that I get lost lol.

I am currently just teaching myself from various books.

How would you recommend is the best way to teach myself?
Are there any already created scripts or snippets of script that will help me with my project?

Thanks,
Tom :D
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Inkyskin
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Re: Social Networking sites

Post by Inkyskin »

If you really want to work up to building a full blown social network, start by building the small parts. Build a small 'comments' script, and 'user registration' script, and 'photo upload' script etc etc.

Then when you think youre ready to build the big site, you'll have a lot of the knowledge - you just have to tie it all together.
t_pinchen
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Re: Social Networking sites

Post by t_pinchen »

That sounds like a sensible suggestion lol I will go away and create each bit seperately.

Thanks for your help,
Tom :D
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RobertGonzalez
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Re: Social Networking sites

Post by RobertGonzalez »

As an FYI, Facebook is written in PHP.
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Weirdan
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Re: Social Networking sites

Post by Weirdan »

Everah wrote:As an FYI, Facebook is written in PHP.
Not entirely. From their job listings, patches to open source projects etc. it seems they have mixed php/c++/java(?) environment.
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Maugrim_The_Reaper
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Re: Social Networking sites

Post by Maugrim_The_Reaper »

I don't see such a huge application surviving without something other than PHP in the background running supporting tasks. I'd still say PHP is the dominant technology though.
t_pinchen
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Re: Social Networking sites

Post by t_pinchen »

Thank you for all your replies. I was wondering whether anyone has used "Ruby" perhaps on the rails platform? Is it any good as a scripting langauge? is it restricted?

Thanks,
Tom :D
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RobertGonzalez
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Re: Social Networking sites

Post by RobertGonzalez »

Oh yeah, you should get a few responses from some of our RoR Freaks around here. :D
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