Databases and websites

[Dyan]

I have a site that contains links to literally thousands of items. For example, I have information on radio stations around the world. And I want to keep them as a database (or some other type of central source) so that I can make updates and changes quickly and easily. But then I want to take my data and import that directly to my website so that my viewer can see the information ...... but not realize that they're working in a database environment. All I want my viewer to see is my regular html page.

For example....... I want to keep my radio stations on a central source (perhaps a excel worksheet or something like that). Then be able to direct specific stations' information to certain pages within my site. So when my view clicks on 'Detroit', they get a listing of stations within Detroit. But I don't have a clue how to do this. So any help will be very much appreciated.

(Btw, after I posted this, I started reading another thread. Is this the same type of thing that I'd find at http://www.w3schools.com/?) I'm totally confused.

[oracleguy]

You can do exactly what you want with a database and a server side language.

Once you have all your information in a database, then you use a server side language like PHP or ASP to query the db and display the results.

Determining which language and db to use depends on what your host supports.

The skills you need in order to do what your asking is a server side language, SQL, and familiarity with whatever db your host supports. There are lots of tutorials on all of that, just tell us what stuff your host supports and we can give ya some links.

[Dyan]

I checked my host page and found this.......

"MySQL and PHP 4 Module Support
4 databases may be created

We support Java jdk 1.1.5, C++, TCL 7.6, Htmlscript (Miva), Python 1.4, PHP 4 and PERL 4 & 5"

Btw, (as if I don't want everything hehe) is there a way to do this that won't involve hundreds of dollars? My site is big, but it's also a hobby. So I'm not going to re-coop any of the cost other than the ego boost I get when I see others using it.

[missing-score]

Providing the above info is accurate, it wont cost anything ;)

I no good with remembering links, so im afraid i cant redirect you anywhere for a tutorial...

[sina94]

This would work perfectly for what I was trying to do...That's assuming all my viewers can run excel. If something gets posted can you guys holler my way. Thanx...

[Dyan]

Is is possible for someone to show me how this will actually work? Maybe an example from an existing site that I can use as a basis for what I want?

The thing is that I've just spent a couple of hours looking at tutorials, MySQL and PHP, and I'm beyond lost and confused. I know my site supports PHP because I made a very VERY basic page, and it worked. But that's where my understanding ended and utter confusion set in.

[oracleguy]

With the given example the page or two required to do it plus the database doesn't seem to hard for an experienced coder. I can try to whip something up for you however I need a tad more information.

Do you want it sorta like this:

Select city > select radio station > show details
?

and what kind of details are you storing?

[Dyan]

First off, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the help!

Let me show you what I currently have because maybe what I'm trying to do isn't what I need. Here's one of my pages..... http://www.houseofhayes.com/states/2.html

I have several thousand radio stations in the US and around the world. They are set up by country, then (like in the US) by state and finally by city. Right now, everything is straight html code. Which works great. But I've hit the point where updating existing information, adding and making changes has become a nightmare. So I noticed that other sites similar to mine use what looks to me like databases with php. (I'm not a trained website developer as you can tell. This is literally a hobby that keeps growing.)

My main goal is to keep things simple and straight forward for my viewer. My second goal is to avoid having the webmaster (me) get more gray hairs than necessary as I maintain and add to my site.

Btw, I've found something called AppGini. Is this going to help at all?

[oracleguy]

Yeah, that should be enough for now.

[oracleguy]

Okay I wrote a really basic thing up. Took about an hour, there are probably some minor tweaks that should be added but it should be a good reference nonetheless.

I have the 3 files you need plus a .sql file that if you execute on your mysql server will create the required db and tables for the sample I made.

I commented where I could... If you want information on specific commands, I recommend the php manual (http://us3.php.net/manual/en/index.php).

[Dyan]

Oh my god! I just overwrote my main page.

There's a lesson in what NOT to do. *tries to find the humor in this*

[sina94]

I just need a simple database or what not to store my links in which the rest of my site can draw them from. Excel works for me...If I can figure out my webhost I can use MySQL too. If you could get me some script to use I'd really appreciate it.

If there's a client-side way of scripting this whole thing up I'd appreciate help in that region...

Thanx...