orgcoco Posted May 27, 2005 Posted May 27, 2005 There are a bunch of these code generators available. Are they worth it? Do they create editable code? Does TCH support files created with them? Quote
TCH-Don Posted May 27, 2005 Posted May 27, 2005 Welcome to the forum orgcoco what code generators do you mean? what do they do? can you give us a link? In any case without looking at the results, I would say you should be able to edit most php code unless its somehow protected. Quote
surefire Posted May 27, 2005 Posted May 27, 2005 In the same way that Dreamweaver can't handle CSS-P and complex id tags automatically (at least as of MX) I doubt you'll find a drag and drop, plug and play sort of code creator that is going to do more than the very basic php code generation. I'd suggest finding a database extraction class and learning the two or three basic functions and how to use them. I would recommend either PEAR, phpclasses.org, or adodb. There are plenty of others. Database extraction doesn't have to be very difficult. And the reason that I think that hand coding gives you more power and flexibility is that when you learn more comples SQL joins and multiple table queries, you're able to cut down on the resource drain you put on a database and your pages load faster. Years ago I used Dreamweaver MX for CSS but eventually learned that hardcoding CSS beats plug and chug hands down, and it's faster if you know what you're doing. Same goes with php. Quote
orgcoco Posted May 27, 2005 Author Posted May 27, 2005 Thanks for your reply, Don. Here are a couple of links to some I have looked at. PHP MySQL | Web database software PHP Generator I am looking for a shortcut to create a complete web based application to maintain a database of private corporate information. I need sound security, multiple user access levels, add, edit, query, reporting. I even need it to be able to be updated by information from a database on another server. I have been programming on the IBM machines for 25 years, but this Web based PHP/MySQL stuff is new to me. This old dog has to learn a new trick as quickly as possible! Thanks Quote
stevevan Posted May 27, 2005 Posted May 27, 2005 First, welcome to the forums. Since you have a significant amount of programming experience, it shouldn't be too hard to teach the old dog. My personal take is that code generators are fine for initially learning the stuff (i.e. what goes on in the background). MS Frontpage comes to immediate mind. But for better, cleaner code, nothing beats hand coding, as surfire said. Sounds like you'll be able to be programming away in no time. You'll get it! Quote
jwbowden Posted May 27, 2005 Posted May 27, 2005 (edited) I am looking for a shortcut to create a complete web based application to maintain a database of private corporate information. I need sound security, multiple user access levels, add, edit, query, reporting. I even need it to be able to be updated by information from a database on another server. That's a tall order for a "generated" system, however, you could also take a look at PHPCodeGenie not sure how "uptodate" it is but it's something to look at. Edited May 27, 2005 by jwbowden Quote
orgcoco Posted May 27, 2005 Author Posted May 27, 2005 Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. It's nice to be on a forum that gets some attention. I wholeheartedly agree with the advice from Surefire and Steve that doing it the old fashioned way is still the way to go. I have had some experience with code generators for RPG, years ago. They produced code God himself could not maintain. I was hoping things had changed. I was looking to these as a way to get jump started and then build from there. It seems apparent that the pros are not real impressed with these products or you would be able to get more opinions about them. I guess programming never changes, only the languages do! Quote
surefire Posted May 27, 2005 Posted May 27, 2005 Just to be fair, I have no experience with those products or anything similar in the php arena. I just find it difficult to believe that a code generator is going to replicate higher level php code. But maybe that's my overblown sense of self importance rearing it's ugly head. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.