building ecommerce site/database?

[mickyjune26]

Hello all,
I have a client that wants to expand their site to be able to sell jewelry online.

I would like the client to be able to do the following:

1. upload their pictures through a web interface.
2. Change pricing information through online

I would like to be able to do the following for myself:

1. Manipulate page layouts so if they have specials I don't have to totally reprogram the entire site.

I think that the following technologies would have to be involved (I definately could be wrong, though)

Database backend
something to query the database (PHP?)
XML to organize the information
HTML to present the web pages

I think this is a really advanced topic, but I want to learn a lot more than just basic web site design and flash animation and get to the next level of web solution consulting.

Any good resources, books would be appreciated.

 

[Tarwn]

Well, I don't believe xml will be necessary, and since this is the ASP forum I will describe it in terms of ASP rather than PHP.

Basiacally you will need your database backend and your ASP pages. The ASP pages will query for data from the database and create the html that will be displayed to the user. Administrative pages could be created (in ASP) to allow the administrator to add products, etc. This data would be collected and sent to the database by (again) ASP.

The technologies you should look into are Database and ASP. I generally don't purchase ASP or DB books. There are some very good references online though at places such as w3schools and 4guysFromRolla, as well as ASP101 and half a million others. You should look at the differant strengths and weaknesses of databases versus the needs of your customer before deciding on one, but I would suggest either MS SQLServer 2000 or MySQL.
Definately come up with an in depth functional design for this site before starting (sort of like a flow, what data each page will collect, what each page will be responsible for doing in terms of data collection and presentation) because this will lower the amount of development time and allow you to focus more closely on the parts of ASP (or PHP) that you will need after gaining a general understanding.

Hope that helps despite the lack of book references,

-Tarwn --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
For my next trick I will pull a hat out of a rabbit (if you think thats bad you should see how the pigeon feels...)

 

[mickyjune26]

Yes, this did help. I'm going to read those sites you recommended before posting any more questions.

 

[krisbrixon]

The following is a page that I am working on that may help jump start your learning:

http://brixon.ionwd.com/baselayouts/BaseFormHowTo.htm

Kris
- A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that works.

 

[mickyjune26]

thanks again. I really need the advice of people like to get me going. It seems like such a daunting task. I just need to remember to take it one step at a time. Later all.