Creating a database of events..

[jeffmc21]

I'm wanting to create a database of events for a small, rural church, and then using php/mysql, retrieve the next 4 or so events to display on the website.

Problem is that I'm somewhat new to PHP and totally inexperienced with mysql. Anyone have any suggestions as to where to begin or how to build the db and how to call events from it?

[bazz]

Hi,

The end of your message actually displays the order to create this.

Firstly plan -

design what data you need to hold in the db.
(still on paper), split it into separate tables 'logically' eg

tbl_event types
|event_type_id | event_type |
| 01 | service |

tbl_event_descriptions
| desc_id | description |
| 01 | | blah blah |

You'll need several other tables too, I'm sure.

look up database normalisation when you have got the tables as you think they should be. normalisation will make you tighten it up.

build the database

make sure you have hosting space with a propvider who offers both MySQL and php as well as a database admin program like phpMyAdmin. (There are other databases types out there but Coding Forums gives great help for MySQL).

build queries
After you have built the db then start to build the queries which get data from the db. This can be done with php.

style the outputted pages
To make the pages display in an easy to understand format, use (x)html and CSS

I hope that gets you started.

There amy be prpograms already built to do what you need but I don't know of any.

bazz