Forms help! - HTML Forums

j_marie23 · 07-21-2003, 07:18 AM

Okay, I am in desperate need of help! Here's what I want to do:

I am creating a website that will allow visitors to log into a password protected section of the site. The visitors will pay to get into this section. Once they log into the password protected section they will have to complete some forms that will ask specific questions (fill in the blank, essay, and upload files ie pictures, etc.) then I want them to be able to store this information and print the information. I also want the information to be able to be retrieved during their next login. What would I use to do this (java, html, dreamweaver, ect.)? I don't even know where to begin, can someone help me?

Goldilocks · 07-21-2003, 08:57 AM

Blimey! You're asking quite a lot if you have never done this kind of thing before. Basically you will need a database backend to store the login information and other data. This could be Access, SQL, etc. The pages you use to login, submit and interrogate the information can be produced with one of many server-side programming languages. PHP is popular these days but I use ASP, it's up to you depending on what your server supports. To allow uploading of images, you will need a particular component installed on your server. There are various places you can download the appropriate software, many for free.

That's a very broad overview of what you need. If you have any specific questions, please post them and we will try to help some more.

Good luck!

putts · 07-21-2003, 12:22 PM

Here's a good game plan:

1. Go to the web site that hosts your page, and see what they server side language (PHP, ASP, etc.) and database backend (mySQL, SQL Server, Access, etc). If you have a "free served" page, then there's a chance your server only serves HTML in which case you need to do some shopping for a new one.

2. Get your home computer up and running as a development server with the same language/Database as your web server.

3. Decide how much (if any) money you want to spend on a coding software. Dreamweaver's a good one, but it covers all server side languages for the most part and will probably be more than you need. I'd suggest google searching for one just for whatever language (PHP, ASP, etc.) that your server will let you use or go to download.com and do the same.

4. Get a book, or ask lots of questions and do lots of tutorials. I'd suggest a book, because sometimes you need answers NOW and cant wait for Forum responses or Tutorial searches.

5. Start your wonderful new life in code.