Help With Database

Report · Jul 26, 2008

I'm currently working on a web site for my employer, and I've run into a bit of trouble. I had created an application in Flash that displays the brand name of an air conditioner and provides a drop down menu with a list of models we supply for that brand, with a submit button to validate your selection. The application brings up a picture of the A/C Unit and information relevant for ordering (with a link to locate a dealer near you in that text) when the user submits their selection from the drop down menu. However, my employers have decided that they would rather have this application done in Javascript so it is more accessible. I'm just learning Javascript and CSS, so I have no idea where to start or if it is possible to maintain the design they requested. If anyone can provide some code for me to get a start with or any suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated as they want to launch the site A.S.A.P. Thanks in advance for any support I can get.

Report · Jul 26, 2008

What server language are you using?

Could you post the URL and the source code?

Thanks

"Graphic_Guy08" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
news:g6fggr$enf$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> I'm currently working on a web site for my employer, and I've run into a
> bit of
> trouble. I had created an application in Flash that displays the brand
> name of
> an air conditioner and provides a drop down menu with a list of models we
> supply for that brand, with a submit button to validate your selection.
> The
> application brings up a picture of the A/C Unit and information relevant
> for
> ordering (with a link to locate a dealer near you in that text) when the
> user
> submits their selection from the drop down menu. However, my employers
> have
> decided that they would rather have this application done in Javascript so
> it
> is more accessible. I'm just learning Javascript and CSS, so I have no
> idea
> where to start or if it is possible to maintain the design they requested.
> If
> anyone can provide some code for me to get a start with or any
> suggestions, it
> would be greatly appreciated as they want to launch the site A.S.A.P.
> Thanks
> in advance for any support I can get.
>

Report · Jul 26, 2008

Unfortunately I can't access the URL or source code at the moment, as I basically only work on this web site during regular work hours (9-5 Monday to Friday). As for server language, I'm not really sure how to accurately answer that question - I'm just writing pages in XHTML in the standard Dreamweaver HTML page set-up, now incorporating some CSS and Javascript as I learn them. We are posting the site through www.hypermart.net, anything that has needed server side scripting or anything like that has thus far been handle through this hosting service (for example, a form that e-mails us the content a user has entered into a form). Sorry if I'm not getting what you're asking for, perhaps I don't properly understand the question. Thanks for your effort to help, and if you can provide any further information I will greatly appreciate it.

Report · Jul 26, 2008

What I am trying to figure out is whether you are using a backend database
and how you access it (PHP, ASP, etc) or are you just running a static site?

If this is a static site, then you'll need to replace all of the Flash
content. So images will be displayed by an <img> tag, forms will have to be
built to replace any Flash forms that you've created, etc. Depending on the
level of Flash integration and content in your existing site, you could be
looking at a substantial amount of work.

I'll need to see the site to be able to better estimate what needs to be
done.

HTH

Steve

"Graphic_Guy08" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
news:g6gq9o$op6$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> Unfortunately I can't access the URL or source code at the moment, as I
> basically only work on this web site during regular work hours (9-5 Monday
> to
> Friday). As for server language, I'm not really sure how to accurately
> answer
> that question - I'm just writing pages in XHTML in the standard
> Dreamweaver
> HTML page set-up, now incorporating some CSS and Javascript as I learn
> them.
> We are posting the site through www.hypermart.net, anything that has
> needed
> server side scripting or anything like that has thus far been handle
> through
> this hosting service (for example, a form that e-mails us the content a
> user
> has entered into a form). Sorry if I'm not getting what you're asking
> for,
> perhaps I don't properly understand the question. Thanks for your effort
> to
> help, and if you can provide any further information I will greatly
> appreciate
> it.
>

Report · Jul 27, 2008

Sorry for my misunderstanding. I'm just running (well, at the moment creating) at static site. I figured all the elements would need to be replaced. I have created a drop down menu with a submit button in Dreamweaver to try to figure this out, and of course I have access to all the items for the database (as well as pictures) at work. So I guess what I'm really wanting to know (and sorry if this is phrased awkwardly, and for not explaining myself better earlier) is if I can place a picture on top of a rectangular box (img, table, div, whatever it has to be doesn't matter) that is white with a thin black border, as well as placing text on top of the box (part of the text would be a link of course). Also, if it's possible (whether or not I can achieve the previous description) to make the data brought up by the drop down menu display on the page only when the user submits the corresponding entry from the drop down menu. I'm sorry if that's confusing or hard to understand, I will see if I can manage to show you what the completed Flash file is tomorrow during work hours. Thanks again so much for all your help. Best regards.

Report · Jul 28, 2008

Graphic_Guy08 wrote:
> Sorry for my misunderstanding. I'm just running (well, at the moment creating)
> at static site. I figured all the elements would need to be replaced. I have
> created a drop down menu with a submit button in Dreamweaver to try to figure
> this out, and of course I have access to all the items for the database (as
> well as pictures) at work. So I guess what I'm really wanting to know (and
> sorry if this is phrased awkwardly, and for not explaining myself better
> earlier) is if I can place a picture on top of a rectangular box (img, table,
> div, whatever it has to be doesn't matter) that is white with a thin black
> border, as well as placing text on top of the box (part of the text would be a
> link of course). Also, if it's possible (whether or not I can achieve the
> previous description) to make the data brought up by the drop down menu display
> on the page only when the user submits the corresponding entry from the drop
> down menu. I'm sorry if that's confusing or hard to understand, I will see if
> I can manage to show you what the completed Flash file is tomorrow during work
> hours. Thanks again so much for all your help. Best regards.

Blimey, its not exactly fair of your employer to make you dive head
first into a very complicated project when you have don't appear to have
any web development skills.

First you need to be competent at HTML and CSS just to create the static
site,
Then you need to be competent and experienced with database applications
and server side language. This could take you months to get your head
around, I know I did.

To save yourself major frustration and your boss time, employ someone
else to do this for you. This is by no means easy, and not something you
just quickly learn how to do. Whilst you have someone do this for you,
play around, tinker, learn, but don't attempt something like this which
needs to up asap, cos it won't be easy. Sorry for being blunt, but I
think its best in this situation to let someone else do it, and you
learn from them in the process.

Steve

Report · Jul 28, 2008

Well, I wouldn't say I don't have any web development skills - I mean, I am competant with HTML/XHTML coding as I have done some basic work with web sites before. However, I haven't used those skills for a while as my specialty is graphic design for print media. I was hired for this position because that is the primary work that I am doing, they just so happen to need to have their 3 web sites redesigned. CSS and JavaScript though are a different matter, I'm picking up CSS well enough so far, but I am just beginning to learn both of those programming languages. I also learned Action Script (for Flash) on the job (I had previously only done some basic animating in Flash), so that helps me understand the syntax of JavaScript, but I do still find there is a learning curve as find myself not knowing where to start with a new project.

As for what I'm working on, I'm going to try to place a picture of it in this post. It looks like this:

<img src="C:\Web Site Files\Resources\Images\database.jpg />

Just wanted to confirm that this is in fact an application that will not be something I can just learn to do with my level of understanding of JavaScript and CSS, in case my description gave a different impression. Thanks again for everyone's help.

Edit: Nevermind, apparently it won't just show the file here, and I can't upload it to our FTP site. Please disregard this post.

Report · Jul 29, 2008

Graphic_Guy08 wrote:
> Well, I wouldn't say I don't have any web development skills - I mean, I am
> competant with HTML/XHTML coding as I have done some basic work with web sites
> before. However, I haven't used those skills for a while as my specialty is
> graphic design for print media. I was hired for this position because that is
> the primary work that I am doing, they just so happen to need to have their 3
> web sites redesigned. CSS and JavaScript though are a different matter, I'm
> picking up CSS well enough so far, but I am just beginning to learn both of
> those programming languages. I also learned Action Script (for Flash) on the
> job (I had previously only done some basic animating in Flash), so that helps
> me understand the syntax of JavaScript, but I do still find there is a learning
> curve as find myself not knowing where to start with a new project.
>
> As for what I'm working on, I'm going to try to place a picture of it in this
> post. It looks like this:
>
> <img src="C:\Web Site Files\Resources\Images\database.jpg />
>
> Just wanted to confirm that this is in fact an application that will not be
> something I can just learn to do with my level of understanding of JavaScript
> and CSS, in case my description gave a different impression. Thanks again for
> everyone's help.
>

Can you upload the picture to your website? I can't see the image using
NNTP.

You can't do database with Javascript, you need a server side language.

Steve

Report · Jul 30, 2008

Sorry about that, I thought that I would just be able to display an image through this message board. I have been trying to get everything else done for this web site so that this would be the final change before launch. As for the reasoning behind not sourcing out the application to a web developer, my employers have had problems getting changes done in a timely manner in the past when they have outsourced their web sites, if someone in the office knows how to make the changes things would be updated much sooner.

Rather than upload the image to my web server, I'll just place one of the Flash files so you can see exactly how the application should work. It's not a very complicated application, so I would imagine it can be done in Javascript as well.

You can find the file at http://www.inner-flow.com/carrier.htm

I've only posted the bare bones page with the Flash application, so there is some content missing - I didn't want unnecessary details confusing things. You will find the database application in the middle of the page (the big white box with the drop down menu and submit button slightly above it).

Please let me know how complex this application will be to create with Javascript and CSS. I would also appreciate Even if it is complex, and beyond my current capabilities and understanding of web development, I would greatly appreciate some help in getting started with this project - I could possibly convince my employer to launch the site as it is or delay the launch if I am working to figure out the application. Thanks again for all your help, and thanks in advance for helping me to solve this dilemma.

Report · Jul 30, 2008

Graphic_Guy08 wrote:
> Please let me know how complex this application will be to create with
> Javascript and CSS. I would also appreciate Even if it is complex, and
> beyond my current capabilities and understanding of web development, I would
> greatly appreciate some help in getting started with this project - I could
> possibly convince my employer to launch the site as it is or delay the launch
> if I am working to figure out the application. Thanks again for all your help,
> and thanks in advance for helping me to solve this dilemma.

You can't do it with Javascript, you need to learn server side
scripting. Which one you use depends on what your host supports. You
will also need to learn about databases, again this depends on what your
host supports. Find this out and report back.

Steve

Report · Jul 30, 2008

Sorry, I wasn't ignoring your previous post, I just wanted to make sure when you actually saw what I was working on that it definitely couldn't be done in Javascript. Having browsed the site host's web site, I have found that they support MySQL and phpMyAdmin, as well as Joomla content management. It also supports Perl and Python CGI script, Server Side Includes and PHP scripting. The host also offers some support for getting started with these scripting languages, including links to basic tutorials (which I will be investigating further). Hopefully this information is useful for answering your question, and you can let me know which option to persue to get started on this project (if I don't find it out for myself before I hear back from you). Thanks again for all your help.

Just for your reference, the site I am working on is hosted by http://www.hypermart.net

Report · Jul 30, 2008

Graphic_Guy08 wrote:
> Sorry, I wasn't ignoring your previous post, I just wanted to make sure when
> you actually saw what I was working on that it definitely couldn't be done in
> Javascript. Having browsed the site host's web site, I have found that they
> support MySQL and phpMyAdmin, as well as Joomla content management. It also
> supports Perl and Python CGI script, Server Side Includes and PHP scripting.
> The host also offers some support for getting started with these scripting
> languages, including links to basic tutorials (which I will be investigating
> further). Hopefully this information is useful for answering your question,
> and you can let me know which option to persue to get started on this project
> (if I don't find it out for myself before I hear back from you). Thanks again
> for all your help.
>
> Just for your reference, the site I am working on is hosted by
> http://www.hypermart.net
>

Javascript is client side, in other words it executes in your browser.
You can code in ASP using Javascript as server side language, but its
not as common as using VBScript with ASP... anyway, enough of my
ramblings... you need to learn PHP and MySQL, so grab yourself a book by
David Powers, he is the resident expert around these parts, and has
published the best books on this subject. He has ones that deal with
Dreamweaver and PHP and MySQL and will get you up and running in no time
at all.

I am an ASP and MSSQL man, but the theory is the same, its just the
implementation that is different. What you want to do isn't rocket
science, but having a firm understanding of the basics will help you
more than anything.

Steve

Report · Jul 31, 2008

Thanks for all your help so far. I was able to pick up a book on PHP and MySQL, however there weren't any in stock by David Powers so I ended up picking up the PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Site Visual Quickpro Guide by Larry Ullman. I'm starting to understand PHP, it doesn't seem that difficult to learn. However, in the book I find I have to install MySQL, PHP and Apache - so, no problem, there are instrucitons on where to go on the web to get them. However, the book suggests an downloading an older version of Apache (1.3), which wasn't available for Windows on the Apache site. I ended up with Apache 2.2, but I am having a hard time configuring the httpd.conf file as the directions don't match with the information in that file. Any further help you can provide is much appreciated. Thanks.

Report · Aug 01, 2008

Graphic_Guy08 wrote:
> Thanks for all your help so far. I was able to pick up a book on PHP and
> MySQL, however there weren't any in stock by David Powers so I ended up picking
> up the PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Site Visual Quickpro Guide by Larry
> Ullman. I'm starting to understand PHP, it doesn't seem that difficult to
> learn. However, in the book I find I have to install MySQL, PHP and Apache -
> so, no problem, there are instrucitons on where to go on the web to get them.
> However, the book suggests an downloading an older version of Apache (1.3),
> which wasn't available for Windows on the Apache site. I ended up with Apache
> 2.2, but I am having a hard time configuring the httpd.conf file as the
> directions don't match with the information in that file. Any further help you
> can provide is much appreciated. Thanks.

The reason I suggested David Powers book is because it deals with
Dreamweaver and PHP and MySQL and it tells you how to get them all
working together nicely.

Uninstall everything you have downloaded, and get this instead:
http://www.wampserver.com/en/

Its all you need, preconfigured to work straight away.

Steve

Report · Aug 04, 2008

So, I've tried going through the lessons in the book, I've built an understanding of PHP and (to a lesser extent) MySQL, but I'm still unable to achieve this application. They don't discuss this specific type of application in the book (or if they do, they don't mention it in a way that is as obvious as I would expect). Can your provide any other help, suggestions for online tutorials, etc.? I just really need to get this done, and I'm having a hard time with it because while I can learn some web coding language, my background is as a graphic designer, and so programming as a whole is outside my realm of expertise. Hopefully you can provide me with a little more help.. Thanks in advance.

Report · Aug 05, 2008

Graphic_Guy08 wrote:
> So, I've tried going through the lessons in the book, I've built an
> understanding of PHP and (to a lesser extent) MySQL, but I'm still unable to
> achieve this application. They don't discuss this specific type of application
> in the book (or if they do, they don't mention it in a way that is as obvious
> as I would expect). Can your provide any other help, suggestions for online
> tutorials, etc.? I just really need to get this done, and I'm having a hard
> time with it because while I can learn some web coding language, my background
> is as a graphic designer, and so programming as a whole is outside my realm of
> expertise. Hopefully you can provide me with a little more help.. Thanks in
> advance.

From what I can see in your posts you need to create a table in MySQL
that holds all your products, you will then create a recordset on your
page that is filtered by the type of product. This type of product
information will also be in the same table (so you can filter it). On
your page you will have a repeat region where the data will be
displayed. And at the top of the page will be a select which has all the
different types of products. When you change the select it will submit
the page to itself and filter the recordset.

I suggest you pick up one of Davids books, its totally geared up to
helping you understand databases with Dreamweaver, once you have read it
all, and followed all the examples, you should have a better idea how to
do this.

I am sorry to say its going to take time, as you need to become a
programmer and database designer. If you want this done sooner, then it
might be an idea to out source this project.

Steve