Functional question with PHP 3

[rvnguy]

I know very little about PHP, only that it is a server side language along the lines of CGI.

My question is about an application I have loaded into a hosted web site that I own. This app uses PHP and I can not see any HTML, SHTML, CSS, or any of the file types that I might be familar with. Web pages seem to be generated from the PHP coded files completely.

I am wondering if I now have to learn PHP coding to effect alterations to the look of displayed pages or am I missing something?

If I do, is there a good "interactive" coding app for PHP along the lines of Dreamweaver that could be recommended?

Also, is this a normal situation for PHP or possibly just the way it has been implemented by this application?

Thank You In Advance for your Consideration.


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[DRJ478]

There are differing philosophies in PHP and web development. The script you have probably outputs the HTML code through the PHP. It basically "prints" the content to the browser. All presentational elements are generated programmatically.
The other philosophy is to strictly separate presentation and functionality. That would include some kind of a template engine.

However, most programmatically generating scripts have configuration files that allow some kind of influence on the presentation, e.g. colors, fonts etc.
It is difficult to give advise where to look for such information without having knowledge about the script you installed.

There are all kinds of environments for programming PHP. Dreamweaver does support some PHP coding. In any case I would advise to learn PHP from the very beginning and hand code. A thorough understanding of the material is in the best of your interest and enhances your knowledge and marketability.

 

[rvnguy]

DRJ478,

Thank You for the excellent description of the functional underpinnings. This supports my guess that the PHP must be asembling the viewed page.

I was afraid of the fact that I will most probably have to learn another language as I actually decided long ago not to be a programmer. But at every turn, I seem to be forced to learn one to acheive the results that I am seeking.

This one is template driven, and supports altering the templates. I just could not find a file type that I am familiar with, only *.php types.

There multiple files to assemble a complete page and being server side it appears difficult/impossible to prototype offline. Is there a way that I could rename & strip some php stuff and try to assemble it as ?html? or? offline? or am I just stuck with having to crack out the php for dummies book?

Thanks In Advance


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[sleipnir214]

rvnguy:
Are we talking about a home-grown system here, or something we might have heard about.

The most probable reason you're not finding template files may be that the templates are stored in the database.


Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[rvnguy]

sleipnir214,

It is not that I can't locate the Templates they are just not in a form that I am familiar with i.e. html, shtml, css or otherwise. All php & *.inc

Not to endorse here, but the app is ZEN Cart. They have fairly good support through a forum and are fairly extensible through their setup procedures. I have just found several of their users with a completely different look & feel and this is what I am after. Unique look & feel and didn't find this in other packaged cart apps.

My problem is I don't know php and the rest of what I have stated. I am hopeful that there is a method to proto-type "interactively" preferable, the changes that I am making through some method.

If they were using shtml (also can be server side) I would not have this problem, but alas they are not and I am sure they have their reasons.

Another reason that I have become slightly stuck on their app is for their international support as part of the implementation. Language & currency support native.(you/I have to do the translation but the currency is automated)

enuf....not home grown but will eventually be home modified.


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[sleipnir214]

It seems, then that your questions are not PHP questions, but are Zen Cart questions. Perhaps this is not the best place to ask your questions.

As I recall, there is a thriving Zen Cart community. You'll probably be best served asking your question on websites devoted to the product.


Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[rvnguy]

sleipnir214,

Thank You for your opinion. Yes there is a forum for this but I like this forum for many reasons.

As I have stated, the base product does a generous amount customization within its' template driven shell but I am interested in creating a "unique" look and feel for my usage. This will most definitely have to be accomplished outside of the provided templates.

As the product is php driven, I have choosen to attempt to bring my understanding of this to a higher level through the prefered forum of my choice.

I understand if you choose not to provide your assistance, as that is your choice.

I do have confidence that not all of the professional individuals that are part of this community will share your opinion and see me as an individual that is attempting to increase my personal knowledge in a manner of my choosing.


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[sleipnir214]

rvnguy:
The fact that someone is an automobile designer for the house of Ghia, Pininfarina or Bertone does not imply that he is the best person to ask to repair a car engine.

If you have a PHP question, then ask it here. I or any number of others will answer them. However, questions about Zen Cart are best answered by Zen Cart experts. Like the ones that hang out at the Zen Cart support fora at zen-cart.com


Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[rvnguy]

sleipnir214,

There you go again trying to send me somewhere else.

"is there a good "interactive" coding app for PHP along the lines of Dreamweaver that could be recommended?"

the

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[sleipnir214]

I'm not trying to send you somewhere else. I'm trying to send you to the place where you are most likely to get help with the nitty-gritty details fo Zen Cart.

"is there a good "interactive" coding app for PHP along the lines of Dreamweaver that could be recommended?"

Have you looked at faq434-4252?


Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[rvnguy]

sleipnir214,

Sorry, hit the wrong button.

is there a good "interactive" coding app for PHP along the lines of Dreamweaver that could be recommended?
and

Also, is this a normal situation for PHP or possibly just the way it has been implemented by this application?

Now for a dummy on the subject of php aren't the quoted questions about php?

I only provided the background(nameless) for why I was asking.

I do not believe that I have asked you or anyone to repair my problems with this app.

I am only attempting to gain insight into how php functions differently from what I am familiar with.

I understand the stance with zen and know that to do what I want will require that I learn some/much php and apply my own changes.

And I believe that Tek-Tips is the better place to accomplish this.

I like Tek-Tips, now stop with the matching of wit.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[rvnguy]

sleipnir214,

Hey,, Thank you highly for the FAQ, I searched but only the forum.

This helps imensely.


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[sleipnir214]

Now for a dummy on the subject of php aren't the quoted questions about php?

They seem to be. I don't understand -- why do you ask?

I do not believe that I have asked you or anyone to repair my problems with this app.

I, too, do not think you have asked for anyone to repair anything for you. Again, I don't understand. What is the the significance of this statement?



Your statements seem to me to be very aggressive, and I do not understand why.


Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[rvnguy]

If you have a PHP question, then ask it here. I or any number of others will answer them.

They seem to be. I don't understand -- why do you ask?

As far as I was concerned I was asking php questions.

The fact that someone is an automobile designer for the house of Ghia, Pininfarina or Bertone does not imply that he is the best person to ask to repair a car engine.

Your parable on asking a designer to repair an engine is what I was refering to.

I also think that you were aggressively trying to interpret my needs as best served at another forum. I have been there and already know that I need some grounding in php.

I am not lost in the Zen environ(it is template driven and quite simple) but to do what I want I will need php and this is where I am at a loss.

This is not productive and most off topic. Let us agree to drop it. O.K.


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[sleipnir214]

Yes, you have asked some PHP questions. And you have asked questions that fall into another subject. I posited my metaphor only to point out that the best place for asking questions on one subject may not be the best place for asking questions on another.


Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[Olavxxx]

I would guess that if you can not find this answer on the support-sections of the product, you can not DIY, as you are asking other people for help.

Not to be rude, by all means, but it takes a great deal of understanding to "decode" other peoples "encoding".

I would simply recommend you to google for +"template" +<your product>, or ask on the support-forum for the product which you wish to alter the design of.

If I ask an auto-mechanic how to swap an engine, I dont have the skills to DIY.

ps. not to be rude, as I said above.


Olav Alexander Mjelde

http://www.volvo-power.net

Admin & Webmaster

 

[rvnguy]

DaButcher,

Thank you for your comments and concerns.

As I had stated, maybe not clearly, I have looked into the product site forum.

Yes this product supports any and all customization.

To accomplish this, one must write their own Page code with the product hooks. They have a list of necessary hooks.

This must be done in PHP code lang as I understand.

And finally, I do not know PHP, how it is set up to function or much of anything about it.

Having used cgi along with shtml pages I was expecting to see some type of "html" flavor pages.

DRJ478 laid out some of the methods of functionality very clearly and this is how it is implemented.

sleipnir also provided some excellent php editing tools that seem will assist in writing/identifying what is php code.

I have installed Apache, and MySQL on my linux box to permit myself having a live test site for development of the look that I am seeking. With the PHP tools and Dreamweaver this looks like it will place me back into an arena that I am somewhat comfortable in.

Again Thank You


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[hessaacd]

TANSTAAFL!! ?
what does this mean?
slatfatf
(so long, and thanks...)

 

[sleipnir214]

<offtopic>
The initialism "TANSTAAFL!" stands for "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch!".

As well as good advice, the utterance is a literary reference to Robert Heinlein's classic novel, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.
</offtopic>

Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[ddiamond]

rvnguy,

If you do decide to learn PHP, I highly recommend the following tutorial:

http://www.zend.com/php/beginners/index.php