Clueless!!!

They have: 80 posts

Joined: May 2001

I would like to know what I need to learn to input data for a web page that can be sorted by category.

For example, on a recipe site if I had a description and link to a site that had a recipe for Asparagus, I would like to input the link and description only once, but have it appear alphabetically and by category (under "A" and under "vegetables").

I am totally clueless how to go about this and am not even sure if I am posting this in the correct category!

Thanks for any help.

Deborah

Busy's picture

He has: 6,151 posts

Joined: May 2001

by database ID's, you can have the main ID and a IID (item id) and of course name among other things, the IID (or whatever you cal it) can be something like v (for vege), f for fruit, p for plant ... and then sort by IDD and/or ID and/or name

Peter J. Boettcher's picture

They have: 812 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

You could setup a couple tables, for example:

Category Table
--------------
CategoryID
CategoryName
CategoryDescription

Item Table
----------
ItemID
CategoryItemID (Link to CategoryID in Category table)
ItemName

Then to display it in different areas just use a different query.

PJ | Are we there yet?
pjboettcher.com

They have: 80 posts

Joined: May 2001

Thank you Peter and Busy. Both ideas sound as if they would work. Where can I learn how to do them? Do you know of any sites that give tutorials with step by step instructions on doing this? I did find a site that does exactly what I'm talking about here:
http://www.shoppingbookmarks.com/

In fact, I would like to use the drop down menu to call the categories. I am self taught in html so I am looking for pretty much step by step instructions on learning how to do this.

Thanks again,
Deborah

Busy's picture

He has: 6,151 posts

Joined: May 2001

does your host provide server side scripting and use of databases? (server side) ASP, PHP, Perl, ColdFusion ... (databases) MySQL, Access ... ?

depending on with you choice as to where we can send you Smiling

They have: 80 posts

Joined: May 2001

I will soon be moving to iPowerWeb and they provide CGI, PHP, and MySQL. I am self taught in web page design, so any advice on which would be easiest and fastest to learn would be helpful. Thanks!
Deborah

Peter J. Boettcher's picture

They have: 812 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

If your host supports PHP & MySQL check out this link: http://www.mysql.com/articles/ddws/8.html

They have: 80 posts

Joined: May 2001

Peter-
I just checked out the link you listed and it looks like exactly what I want - PHP and MySQL for dummies. It looks like an easy to follow, well explained course. I have not yet set up my site with iPowerWeb yet, but will do so in the next few weeks. Then I'll follow the instructions at the site you recommended and hopefully be up and running soon.

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to help - I really appreciate it.

Deborah

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