PHP Database

[Potter_gold]

Hi

Im very new to the web design world. I have made a website called www.freepspwallpapers.co.uk At the moment i am listing images on here which are simply added in HTML, however, i want to be able to put all my images into a database and pages to be generated?

Is PHP the right software? If so, what is the best way to get started? Do i need any special tools or programs?

If i were also to ask about bells and whistles for my site, i want a feature that makes the people visiting have to register before being able to access the pages on the site (example - www.joke-central.net) and also for the site to measure downloads (example - www.pspwallpapers.com)

Can anyone help me?:thumbsup:

[Lordrea]

PHP could be good at this. Though for maximum effect, you shouldn't stick with just PHP. Use a little javascript, flash, php, some nice CSS - combined together they will make a good site... I recomend picking up a book like PHP and MySQL Web Development by Luke Welling and Laura Thomson, or maybe PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites by Larry Ullman.

Or you can just hire someone to do the codeing for you :P

[marek_mar]

PHP is neither a database nor a program. It is a language. To use it you need a server that can execute PHP.

[Potter_gold]

So am i asking the wrong question. What do i need to use and do? I have heard of mxQXL before, but again know nothing about it.

[kehers]

php as said is a server side programming language..server side as in it interacts dirctly with the server, this however means (as said too) that it must run on a server that support it. be sure host if they do.
database is another thing entirely. its primarily used for storing up data or watever. PHP has the flexibility, versitilty and possibility of relating with quite a number of database. The common around is MySQL which most web developers are into, for quite a great deal of reasons - being open sourcce and its wide support as one. However, u must av access to one, probably from host.
u are actually on the right track with ur question. the way to ur question is storing up ur pictures in a folder and then the path to them in a database. u can tehn use php to query ur database and dynamically generate the link to ur pictures. pictures can also be stored in a db actually, but its better storing up the path coz for one, db space is expensive than file space.
as for download counter and registering whatever, they are also acheiveable (easily) with php. but then, the simple advice is u av to learn php. when u do, the database stuff also comes along. here is a good start for u hudzilla.org
there are also alotta tutorial sites and forums around so take time to search around. php is a easy language for beginners so no fears...being a guru may however take a while:rolleyes: