surefire

Steve, I haven't done exactly what you're asking, but it would seem that an easy solution would be to create a CSV from the Access db and then use phpMyadmin to upload the files. But if you have a dump file.... if it's in SQL, I'd first try pasting the code into the query field in phpMyAdmin. That's how I transfered my 95 databases from my old host to TCH. But I was going from MySQL to MySQL... so there might be another twist in there that I'm not aware of.

I love all these comments. Since some of you guys have more experience with asp than I do, it's great to hear your experiences and opinions. It amazes me every time I see a job posting for a webdesigner, deverlop... all you see is ASP (and about twelve other requirements). The ignorance of companies never ceases to amaze me. It's like they're brainwashed to think everything Microsoft is gold. I guess there's no other option except for several us to start successful companies and hire php programmers.

Gemini, Lots of issues in your code. Here's what you need to do... I will point out some specific problems... but the REAL issue can be solved by demonstration. You need to give me a working html page with NO php in it and I'll show you how to use the include function. In general, the overall method you've chosen for coding doesn't seem to make much sense to me... but maybe I'm missing something. So I think there is a bigger issue involved here than nit picking individual lines of code. Now, to point out some other issues here, let's look at specific problems. I don't know if you can include html files successfully... but whether you can or can't... it's my opinion that you should be including a php file, or .inc... NOT html Second, you should change <? to <?php Since I can't see your directory tree or the actual links.php file... I can't say for sure what the issue is here. But according to the error message, the file is in another location. Your method of coding here is a security risk that is very vulnerable to hacking and site defacement. I would strongly recommend putting in some security measures... one option would replacing your if statement with a switch statement that has a default option. If you need more help with this, then please see the php manual at php.net and look under include() Same comment as I made for menu.htm above. I'll make you a deal... if you can provid me with a vaild html page... no php in it at all... and a short explanation of what you want to happen, then I'll post a thread in the scripting forum outlining the step by step process to make it happen. That way, you get code that works and other members get to see php coding example put together from start to finish.

Great tutorial for beginners. Thanks for sharing the link

dsdemmin is probably the one that you want to reply to this. But from what I've read... .htaccess is the better of the two choices. If I remember correctly, I think that you want to do a "301" redirect. I do know that search engines do NOT like meta tag refresh and other redirects since it often indicates that a "doorway page" is being used to try to spam and trick the search engines.

Natimage, Just a guess... but maybe the dwt ending. I'm not familiar with it but I assume it means, dreamweaver template also, I couldn't get your flash movie to open.

I totally agree. As someone who uses database driven code to create and post content, I use at least two layers of server side code to protect the security of the site and the database... on top of any javascript validation. One thing I like about form validation using js on the front end... is that the client doesnt' have to click the 'back' button to refill a form that didn't meet specifications. I can think of ways to create the same or similar effect with server side scripting... but I guess that pop up alert box appeals to me. Your comments on security are absolutely correct. Whenever you ask for user input... especially with text boxes in forms, you are really asking for trouble if you don't use good security checks.

At the risk of ruffling feathers, I'd like to open up the topic by stating that it's perfectly natural to want to pack our webpages with cool gadgets and gizmos. But as webdesigners progress, they start to realize that loading a page full of javascript (or other code) has disadvantages: Not everyone can enjoy your javascript It can slow down your site, depending on the amount you use Some javascript snippets will turn away visitors As a general rule, search engines 'like' text links better than image rollovers On the other hand, there are some things that javascript just seems born to do: Validating form input from users Easy navigation with drop down menus Popups used for useful communication... not advertisements So is it possible to limit the use of javascript and still get a beautiful looking page? Yes. One solution for replacing rollovers is to use CSS. The advantage is that you can often get the same effect put use a text link in place of an image. The downside is that CSS standards are not uniform across all browsers and so rollovers are much easier. Although form validation is often more user friendly with javascript, it can be accomplished with PHP too. Here are some other 'rules of thumb' that most webdesigners agree with: Popups turn away visitors... it's overused If search engine placement is top priority, consider text links instead of rollovers, or create alternate pages without js Limit your use of flashing, moving, distracting javascripts on your page Try to avoid js that affects the function of your visitor's browser Understand that not all of your visitors have javascript operating on their system (but most do) Put your javascript in separate js files and link to them in your webpages Personally, I try to use javascript only if there's no other way... not because javascript is bad... far from it. The sites that I have built are revenue generators so my aim is to use every advantage possible for a better search engine ranking. And if I can accomplish a task with CSS or PHP, I'll opt for that approach. But I use javascript and will continue to do so. It's extremely handy. Just make sure you aren't making your visitors wait while your neat code loads up. The lists and advice I've provided are far from complete, so please add your own recommendations or feel free to disagree with my posts.

That's how I got started too, the script that I wanted was in PHP, I wanted to modify the code and soon realized that it was sort of easy to understand what was going on by reading the code. But "winging it" only got me so far, and before I knew it... I'm writing my own scripts.

Words to live by. You'd be amazed at how much you learn by doing.

I just thought of another one that has great tutorials and code examples SitePoint

Thank you all. As soon as I found TCH, I knew this was THE place. It's been fun helping others out where I can. As Bill pointed out to me, I need to get me an avatar. TCH Rocks

I picked up a big fat book on PHP 4 called "PHP 4 Bible" and then I started testing out my own little scripts. I'd look over the code written by other people and saw the different programming styles. I'd pick up tricks that worked for others. As my scripts got more advanced, I had to refer back to books and compliment my learning with online tutorials specific to the subject I was trying to master. It takes time, but if you've got a good book to reference, the learning curve is shorter. Here are three of my favorite sites for tutorials: http://www.devshed.com/Server_Side/PHP http://www.phpbuilder.com/ http://www.php.net/manual/en/

Before you vote or chime in... here's my two cents. The answer to "Which is better" really depends on the person answering the question. Usually, people are stronger in one code than the other... they are different in the ways they are written. I like the fact that PHP is open source and you get input from thousands of programmers willing to contribute script, tutorials, and improve the code for the next version. ASP is a Microsoft product. For those with a gripe against Microsoft... that's all they need to hear. Also, ASP runs best on servers running Microsoft, or can be installed with special software that ends up making it run a little slower, and less secure. Apache servers are great and that's what TCH uses.

When you ask for help with a script that's puzzling you, be sure to include all of the following details: URL of the page you're working on Details about what error message or results you observe (cut and paste error messages) A small snippet of the code that you think is causing the problem What the script is supposed to do Please don't post copies of scripts that are several thousand lines long... it's too much for us to go through. Several hundred lines is too much. If the script is a large one (example: a php bulletin board) then name the script, where you got it, and the problems you are encountering.

There are thousands of free (and low cost) scripts out there that you can use as-is or adapt to your site. Here is one of my favorite sites for scripts of all kinds: Hot Scripts Not only do they have ready-to-use scripts, they also have great tutorials on most popular programming languages.

Have you put together a major database application that you'd like to show off? Did you adapt someone else's script for your your site, layout that you're proud of. Please show us your work and give us an idea of how you did it. Please avoid posting thousands of lines of code, and start with general ideas of how you created your masterpiece.

Yep. I tried it twice. That doesn't mean that it will work 100% of the time.

btrfld, Great post! Useful stuff. I often forget to check the php.net page. They have a ton of good user feedback for how php is being applied in the real world. Now I've got to go back and double check that my hotmail members are getting my emails. Yikes. Lots o' programming.

Natimage, You've come a long way with the php... congrats! I don't use much javascript, but I would seriously doubt that the php would be interfering with it in any way. If someone knows differently, please step in and correct me. The page did take a while to load when I pulled it up. I'm on a dial up. I'm not sure if it's the images, my ISP, or what. I serious doubt that it's the php that's slowing it down. I also noticed that with the rollovers, they worked, but only when the cursor was over certain parts of the picture. I'm guessing that the javascript needs tweaking since it's responsible for the rollover effect. Anyhow, sorry I can't tell you what is slowing up the page, but it could be many things. Currently, the sites I have at TCH aren't slowed down at all by php includes... But I'm in the process of transfering a 7000 page database driven website that's full of php and mysql code. If anything is going to slow down, it's a site like that... I'll let you know. I'm optimistically expecting TCH's servers to perform like a champ. I've taken this one step at a time by gradually moving sites over to TCH before attempting this huge move for my "baby." So far, everything has gone great. Brings a 'dead' topic back to life so others see it and might respond to it. Bill was pointing out that the topic wasn't dead... I was just impatient and my subtraction was flawed when I thought several hours had passed.

Bill, sorry about the 'bump'. Won't don't it again. I could've sworn I looked at the time the message was posted and figured it had been several hours... obviously I was wrong. Mea culpa.

Bump...

Darkwoof, No, I didn't specify any from address... and it worked fine. Showed up in my hotmail account as From (blank). So, I don't know what to tell you on that one. I cranked out a test script, set up a hotmail account, and tested it out. No probs... Here's a link to phpmailer, the script I use http://phpmailer.sourceforge.net/ Hope that helps.

I just checked it out on a plain jane hotmail account... no problems. Now you tell me... Just kidding. It's not easy... it involves downloading a script, and understanding the basics of object oriented programming in PHP. I'm not trying to be snotty. But have you ever gotten neck deep into something and wished that someone had told you how involved it is... well, it's involved. But let me go find the link for you. Be back in a sec. PS - I didn't really say it was more stable... more robust. Meaning that you can send html and have a little more control over the headers as if the mail was really sent through your TCH email account. I've never had reported problems with the mail() function. So I consider it pretty darn 'stable'. Now for that url...

I've never heard this one... But I'm curious to check it out for myself since many of my members use hotmail. Hmmmm.... However, if it turns out that mail() function is a problem (I'd be surprised) then there are alternatives using smtp. More complicated, but much more robust mail. I'll elaborate after I check.