Creating a database

[bhogaj31]

Hi

I need to create a database and have never done this before.

I am not a programmer or developer of any sort but am trying to learn about data bases and wish to create a simple one which can be developed upon and be used via the web by my friends via my personal webpage.

I need it to do the following

Have a login screen and perform some sort of authentication with an accounts dbase of some sort.

I need to be able to add records to it using a standard form for entry. e.g Name , Address, Tel, Fax, E-mail

I need to be able to import records to the database from a ".csv" or a ".txt" file.

I need a query screen which can find records under any field name even with just the first few letters of any word you decide to search on.

I need to be able to dump all the data into a text/csv file and also a log file.

I want to be able to run a report/query and output the results to a text file of some sort.

Because it is a database of names and addresses I want to be able to select a few records and fill my printer with address labels then print all the selected records on to these address labels ready to attach to envelopes.

I don't know where to start basically.

What language should I use?

Why should I use a particular language?


Any help would be good.

 

[Dimandja]

I hope you don't need this sophisticated website today or tomorrow. Some large corporations will pay top dollar to get what you are asking. I also hope you have access to the necessary hardware.

But, with some determination, you can knock this off within a few days (depending on your aptitude in using the software and hardware).

First, there are many ways to develop your system. The following is but one of those ways.

Database: MySQL (cheap/free and good relational database).
Webpage presentation: HTML and embedded Javascript(common).
Database accessor: PHP (cheap/free and easy to learn language which can be embedded in the HTML, and works well with MySQL databases).
Local database (on your PC): Microsoft Access (cheap/"free" database you can link to MySQL database for retreiving records to print.

Dimandja

 

[Dimandja]

You can use either Javascript or PHP for the same purposes.

 

[bhogaj31]

Thanks , now I can start,

I did also go to

Http://www.php.net

because somebody else mentioned the same things you have above.

They have some good pointers and links to free server based software for allowing your webserver to handle PHP format files.

But thank you for all you information.

 

[willir]

bhogaj31

By the end of this project, you may be able to add a few items to your resume...

One thing not discussed is the design of your database. Please spend some time on this aspect. Regardless of platform, front end and back end, a poorly designed database will be problematic.

Richard

 

[bhogaj31]

Willr

That is a very good point. Before I submitted my requirements above I had drawn out a little diagram which is part of the initial design.

Thanks for your help ,

Kind Regards

J

 

[bhogaj31]

Is it possible to get MySQL and PHP running locally on a windows 2000 laptop and play around with it on the one machine?

If so where can I download the versions of MySQL and PHP to do this.

I haven't got access to a network of machines to do this in a true client/server enviroment and need to try a few things out .

Thanks in advance .

 

[Dimandja]

You could start here:

http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/99/21/index2a.html

Dimandja