Hello all! I have been doing my best to learn PHP for database integration for months now, but life keeps on happening and preventing my learning process. I really need a PHP script so I can get a few apps going, but have no idea where to begin. I am willing to pay someone for their time...please let me know! Jeff

My advice would be begin documenting everything you need to have done, and check off the things you can do, or have already done. Then outline a requirements document stating what you can't/don't do but want, and what you expect. be sure to include any data input/output requirements/expectations. We've got a great community of folks here willing to help, and if you were to outline a bit more specifics on 'what part' you need assistance with, I'm sure someone would be willing to throw in some useful input. Although not a 'database' document per se, GoNorthWest has a nice bit on PHP/MySql in his document on gathering map locations: https://www.buzztouch.com/files/howtos/Posting_Current_Location_to_a_Database_v1.0.pdf Although not concise by any means, I have a bit of sample code I use with creating dynamic pages via "loadScreenObject" that you might get a tip or two off of... https://dl.dropbox.com/u/115208762/loadScreenObject.zip And if you have questions, just stop by the forum; someone should be around to bounce ideas off of... Cheers! -- Smug

Jeff, Let us know what you're trying to accomplish, and we'll all jump in to help out! Mark

Hey @jefe, Learning PHP and MYSQL can be difficult and very time consuming. Here is a good site to start and maybe tell us what you can or cannot accomplish: http://www.w3schools.com/php/default.asp LA

Life happening. I can so relate to that ;) iOS or Android? PM Sent!

Thank you all for the advice. Smug, I have learned more by reading your posts than anything else! I really appreciate the time you put in to this forum! To answer your question, I am learning MySQL right now, but the process isn't coming along fast enough. I have a basic understanding of how databases work, and how to use PHP to communicate with them. I don't fully understand how to set-up a MySQL database for a client yet, and definitely don't know how to write the PHP. Here is what I need to accomplish: I have a client who wants an enterprise app made. Their company provides aeration service to over 300,000 customers. They want one screen they can go to, which populates all of the open jobs, as well as completed jobs. Basically just a map screen with the a few different color pins. From what I understand, a database with PHP can be used to create this...is that true? Another feature they want is for another portion of their business, where they schedule insulation install jobs. They have several sales reps who will be using the app on iPads, and will need to view the detailed schedule in live time, so they can schedule clients. After they schedule the clients, they want the same pin type of map to show all of the pending jobs. It would probably be a neat feature as well, to allow installers the ability to update jobs from "pending" to "complete" (via the app) which would change the color of the pin from green to red, or something like that. I'm sure once I get the basics figured out, I would also be able to add a map view which shows ALL of the completed jobs, for the lifetime of the company. This way, a customer would be able to view all of the locations they have installed insulation. Hopefully that wasn't too long-winded!

Just meanderings... 1) Yes, you can create maps of this nature using PHP/MySQL to populate the map. In fact, most of my 'loadScreenObject' is for drilling down to a map, albiet single locations. Still, creating the database is easy. But I would suggest giving some thought to the 'design' of the database. 2) Again, yes. This can also be implemented. I'd recommend in the same database, with different pin colors to represent different status jobs; scheduled, pending, whatever... 3) Yep, you're basically going to update your database via PHP script anyway; Whether you update it from a desktop or mobile is entirely up to the user. Once the data is updated, the user merely need refresh. Any subsequent visitors will receive new data. So, quick answers for long questions. Now for the long answers to no questions. :) 1a) If they have a website already that is powered by a CMS like Joomla or Wordpress, then they already have a MySQL server somewhere... It wouldn't be an issue to create a new database for your testing. If you've ever played with MS Access, you can learn MySQL. If you've ever played with Visual Basic, you can learn PHP. The biggest problem I have with most new clients is obtaining the correct authentication for access to their web/database. 2a) It all sounds good. I'd prefer Android Tablets (like, a Galaxy Tab 7 or 10 inch). The reason for this is, all things being equal, the 'app' can be built and distributed immediately on Android, updates as well. If you plan to use an Apple Device, and you don't have that corporate membership, you're going to have to push this through the App store, which brings unknown results. And week-long delays on updates even if it gets through. And Android tablets are cheaper. The accountant will love that. Although I suppose you could get them an Apple Developer account, and use the 100 test devices throughout the company :) I genuinely believe that the hardest part of this project is going to be getting clean 'usable' data into your database, if it isn't already in digital format. If it is, then depending on your deadline, this is something you, with no PHP/MySql experience, could figure out in about a month or two using a few tutorials and playing around with your own tests. One of the 'challenges' of enterprise solutions is data availability and replication. You don't want or need several copies of the same data in different states of update; you need it all to be synchronized. However, if you use the same 'source' database for everything, you run the risk of data corruption or incorrect data being entered from a myriad of possibilities. You'll need to figure out a good Database schema (design) for the database, and some kind of logical workflow to obtain new data, and update old data. If this system is purely standalone, then it shouldn't be a problem. But if all your source data is coming from elsewhere, you'll need some way to query/update. How your data gets in and out of the system should be the focus of your dilema. Once you've thought that through and gotten the client to sign off on it, then you're free to figure out the rest of the implementation. Regardless of solution, the mobile device will need to have an internet connection to work. If the tablet doesn't have a cellular connection, either use the smartphone as a hotspot, or get a cellular hotspot to use with the tablet, if tablet is the way you're going. Hope this helps a bit! Cheers! -- Smug

Great feedback, @Smug! You hit on every single point that I was going to make, and then some. I will say that creating an "enterprise" level application will take more than a basic level of knowledge, and probably a lot more time than a person would think. Not only do you need to make sure the database is set up optimally, but you need to think about things like security, and data integrity, like you mentioned. It would be pretty easy to corrupt the data if you had multiple people making changes at the same time with no control measures. The first order of business, as Smug points out, is to spend time making sure your database design is optimal. You'll probably want to hire somebody with lots of experience to help with this. I only say that because of the enterprise nature of your project...that's something you don't want to hand over to somebody with a limited skillset. Mark

Mark makes several valid points that I tend to shy away from. Most of 'my' stuff is made for 'me', so error correction isn't a high priority, and is probably the most time consuming task, or at least in the top 3. You can be certain that for every hour you spend programming a script, plan on spending about 3 more additional hours fixing ways that users can screw it up. Error correction and data filtering is a big part of keeping clean data clean. And it doesn't matter how good you build it, somewhere in the shadows a user is lurking, just waiting to screw it all up. ;) Cheers! -- Smug

Yes what @Smug and @GoNorthWest said..lol You two lost me at hello..lol..j/k LA