Website Database Integration: NEED SERIOUS HELP!!!

[Maverick2002]

Alright, let me start by saying that I don't know much about databases, next to nothing actually. If you read my sig, you'll notice I run a hardware site and have been doing so for about 1.5 years now. It's gotten to the point where even multiple SSI integrations don't cut it. We need database software. But this is no simple project. I need to be able to do anything anywhere anytime. If it sounds ambitious, it is. Here's the "Iwanna list":

I want to be able to change the ENTIRE layout of EVERY page on the site with just a few clicks.
I want to be able to add/remove/modify ANY features I see fit.
I want to be able to post news and articles and any and all kinds of updates from remote locations.
I want a control panel that gives me access to pretty much anything and everything on the site.
I want to be able to organize any news/reviews/articles in any way I see fit.
I basically want software integration that will let me change an entire site's operation without changing hundreds of pages manually.

Things like on-site search engines, polls, stats, "print this page", security (read: anti-hack) and backup features are just minor things that I should be able to add at any time. I daresay I want what Anandtech has. Unfortunately I don't have that kind of a budget. I'll be doing research for the next 3 weeks and hopefully I can get something up during the first week of April (Spring Break for me). If not it'll have to wait til the summer when school is out. Any information would be GREATLY appreciated, and so would software recommendations/prices and who could help me set the stuff up (if I can't do it myself, which I doubt I could). I hope you guys can help a fellow ATer out

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

For DB software, here are a handful of choices - most of which would be serious overkill for your needs.

Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft Access
Oracle Server
Sybase Adaptive Server Anywhere

For page editors, any middlewhare tool worth its weight allows simple connectivity to any database via ODBC drivers.

Microsoft Visual Interdev
Microsoft FrontPage
Dreamweaver
Notepad

By the way, your "Iwanna list" is a bit overambitious for your first foray into a DB driven web site. Configuring the individual components is the easy part. Its actually designing the connectivity and database structure that's difficult.


<< I can get something up during the first week of April (Spring Break for me). >>


You're kidding right? Converting a website will essentially require a complete rewrite.

I have little experience with web design. Any experience I have is in the backend. I'd love to help in any way possible. Perhaps helping setup data structures or SQL coding?

 

[blahblah99]

Let me see if I read this right...

You want to STORE your variable (templates, site layout, page layout, article content, colors, fonts, etc etc) in a database and want to access that database and change the layout with just a few clicks... if that's the case, then this is not a project, its A MISSION.

First of all, it is not going to be simple as you will have to create a database of your site's variables that you want to be able to change. Then you'd have to write the server-side scripts to use the variables that you select and generate dynamic html files for each page hit. All html content would probable be generated on-the-fly.

I'm not sure if that's the most efficient way to do it, but its one way.

I'd use MYSQL/PHP/APACHE combo. Its extremely FAST, its FREE, and it uses good old C language. All dynamic html content would be server-side created using the variables stored in the database to generate the page.

For example, the variables stored in the table could be bgcolor, fontsize, fontcolor, and layoutstyle

a global file called globals.php (similarly to style.css) would contain all the options (fontsize[] = 100%, 150%, 200%, 250%)

a management page would then read the globals.php and allow you to select your different layouts and store the result back into the database.

 

[bigdaddykane]

try coldfusion

 

[Sunner]

I agree on *NIX/MySQL/PHP.

 

[vrs]

They already have something that does what you're talking about.. it's called PHP-Nuke :/

 

[Maverick2002]

Get ready for a lengthy reply ...


KnightBreed:



<< For DB software, here are a handful of choices - most of which would be serious overkill for your needs.
Microsoft Access
>>



Is this the same Access that comes with Office 2000?



<< By the way, your "Iwanna list" is a bit overambitious for your first foray into a DB driven web site. Configuring the individual components is the easy part. Its actually designing the connectivity and database structure that's difficult. >>



I know it's a lot but I just want to set up something where in the future I can just upgrade things without having to do another re-write of the site. By then we'll have too many articles and pages to do that. Designing the connectivity and database structure that's difficult is exactly what I'm asking for. I can probably figure out how to integrate features on my own (I'm an OK learner) but I doubt I can do any of the designing (for instance, I wouldn't be able to eliminate any of the loopholes, etc).

I need all the help I can get. Since this seems like it would take a long time it's best to start on it sooner so I can possibly have everything more or less set up by the beginning of June.

Now all this other stuff about the MYSQL/PHP/APACHE, NIX/MySQL/PHP, PHP-Nuke, and ColdFusion. I know this is going to cost me so whether it's free or not isn't the main concern. I need to have something that will do what I need. Whether it's a combination or a single software, I don't know. That's why I need your help guys. For instance, is there any one thing that can offer most of the features I outlined? And how reliable/error-prone/hackable are the other alternatives?

In essence, I need the basic code, like KnightBreed said. The other features will come later, those I can either work out on my own or have someone help me in the long run. Looking for something that I can upgrade as new types of software/standards become available.

I hope I can get more help from you guys ...

 

[rh71]

Here's what I posted in the other thread... I will provide more info later... it's late.

I have 2 words for you my friend. Cold Fusion. These forums are written in CF with a database backend. Change 1 variable and it's set across the board... etc. etc. You can write a web front end to add/delete/change your backend DB. I can get into greater detail and provide sample sites of what CF can do... give me a PM if you're interested.

Just as a quickie example, look at what I did for a client...
Divetristar.com --> Itinerary (all database)

Here's the web front-end I wrote for him to manage it (via the internet... from anywhere with a connection obviously)...
Administrator Tool

 

[Descartes]

I'd say stay away from ColdFusion if you can. You won't have an extensible framework from which you can build on for the simple fact that ColdFusion is *not* a programming environment. To get it to be extensible in nature, you'd have to hire a programmer anyway to produce custom CFML tags to handle outside functions.

I've done the very thing you're wanting to do many times over. I have a frontend for my clients that lets them simply select the "template" they want to use, and it changes automatically. We primarily use an ASP frontend with middle-tier components in VB/C++ and a SQL Server 2k backend. When you talk about sites like these, you're not "changing the pages", you're simply changing the content. The content is extracted from the database dynamically, and the html is rendered with said content. To change the content on a page, you simply change the data in the database. Writing an administrative interface to a database that allows an end-user to make updates is simple. Based on your requirements, you're never really going to get away from having to make modifications. You can't simply "add a feature" that you haven't even though of yet.

Basically, there's no piece of software on the face of the planet that can fully facilitate your requirements.

I want to be able to change the ENTIRE layout of EVERY page on the site with just a few clicks.
I want to be able to post news and articles and any and all kinds of updates from remote locations.
I want a control panel that gives me access to pretty much anything and everything on the site.
I want to be able to organize any news/reviews/articles in any way I see fit.
I basically want software integration that will let me change an entire site's operation without changing hundreds of pages manually.

These are all extremely feasible, and have been done many times over. As I said, I've done this very thing for my clients, so I can help you if you have any questions. This is the only one you're not going to have...

I want to be able to add/remove/modify ANY features I see fit.

What's a "feature"? You'll never have a nice interface where you can simply add ideas w/o making modifications. This is the work of a programmer.

 

[ET]

IMO, ColdFusion is more convenient than other scripting languages. The downside is that it's not free. But I sugget that you try it. You can download Coldfusion from Macromedia with the following links:
ColdFusion Express 4.5
ColdFusion 5.
ColdFusion Express is a cut-down version of ColdFusion, but it's not time limited, and is a good way to learn ColdFusion, IMO.

 

[psualum]

MS Access 2000 does come with Office 2000... which is the main reason people use it... its CHEAP(for a Microsoft product). MS Access isn't really a database package that is designed for "web" environments but you can get away with it until you outgrow it.... at which time you will prolly need to move to SQL Server.... which is much more expensive and has a much steeper learning curve.

Good Luck

 

[bigdwhitey]

My suggestion would be Zope. It's open source and provides a great scripting language in Python. It has an easy-to-use browser-based interface and it's highly secure. It can run on Windows or Linux. It also has an integrated database or can easily be configured to work with others.
It's relatively new but has a growing following with plenty of support via their website. Take a look:

Link

 

[JustinLerner]

Using a database and website management program in conjuction will work well.

A management program like Adobe GoLive could help out in addition to something as simple as an Access database.