HTML/PHP Question

[SJP0tato]

Hi guys,

I'm running a Linux box with Apache, having a good time learning with it but I'm stuck on the following:

I'd like to have a simple test webpage that has a username field and password field. If the user enters their username and password for the first time they will be saved to a text (or some other type) file on the server. If they enter their name and password after having been once already the server will parse the previously recorded username and password in the log (text) file and display a "welcome back" message.

Basically before any of this functionality if I could just get an input box that the user types some text, hits submit and the data is saved to a text file I would be happy.

I've looked at xml, xhtml, PHP, cgi/perl scripts, and a few others so far. I think PHP would do what I need, but is it the best choice? Or is there something better/easier to use? I feel like I'm adrift in the massive ocean that is webpage development.

Any suggestions would be great!

 

[hans007]

i've recently had to do this sort of thing for a work project.

having no web experience i naturally asked all my friends who were web developers.

i'd say among asp, perl and php , i'd use php. it is by far the better language for doing web sites quickly. asp.net / jsp might be a little better from a whole programming model perspective, but php you can learn in a week.


you'd likely want to use some sort of database to store those passwords, as storing them to a file would b ea total pain and require parsing logic etc.

something like mysql or postgres. mysql is probably plenty.

i think webpage development is not that hard, there is just a lot of different ways to do everything and many choices. if you are already a programmer in some other language like c++/mfc you should pick it up fast.

 

[KEV1N]

PHP will work for you. However, rather than storing data in text files, pair PHP with its natural partner, MySQL. Apache/PHP/MySQL is the magic combination. Good luck. Google will help you out, but try starting somewhere like here: http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/phpmysql

 

[Granorense]

Here another great place to learn!
http://www.plus2net.com/index.php