Automatic posting of forms?????

[druggist]

Is there a way for me to post the results of a form automatically?

I want to have some control of how the posting looks. I am running a database website and would like it to be free standing. If i could have automatic posting it would make life alot easier for me.


thanks,

druggist

 

[goBoating]

Good morning druggist,

ANSWER: Yes.
Forgive me if am misunderstanding the question, but it sounds like you are asking what CGI can do for you. CGI is a set of rules that governs how to get a web server process to do some work for you on the server. If you follow the rules, you can do nearly anything you want on the server. It is a fairly straight forward process to write an HTML form to accept the user's input and submit that input to a piece of CGI code on a server. Also, make the CGI code smart enough to log into the database, update the database, and then produce a new HTML page for that user containing the results of the database update operation. Straight forward, I say, but, not trivial.

There are some good how-to pages available to get you started.

If this is not speaking to your question, let me know and we'll try again.






keep the rudder amid ship and beware the odd typo

 

[druggist]

yes, this is it. you are right on.

the only problemis that i am so green behind the ears that cgi writing sounds like trying to swim across the pacific ocean.

is there a pre-fab cgi script that has this? free? $$$$??


thanks

 

[goBoating]

I don't think you'll find a canned piece of code that will do enough of what you want without having to make some significant modifications to it.

What kind of time line are you on?
If you need this in a few days, then you better pay for some help.
If you can take a month, have some aptitude, know a little Perl and have time to put into it, you can do it.

Do you know a little HTML?

Do you know any Perl?

What kind of OS, database server, and web server are you using?

Do you know SQL?

Do you have access to the machines on which this stuff is running?







keep the rudder amid ship and beware the odd typo

 

[druggist]

i do not know any of the languages. i do need this sooner than later. i am using addr.com as a web host.

who do i ask for the help? how much will it cost?


druggist

 

[goBoating]

One guys humble opinion.....
I have setup and managed small MySQL databases. I have written a lot of Perl. I have written a fair amount of CGI with Perl. I am only one perspective. Disclaimers are now complete.

Who do I ask for help?
Seems to me you have two basic options.

ONE - you do the project management and pull together independents for the various system components (database setup, CGI code, hardware provider/configuration). One person might do all of this. If not one person, this has the real potential of being a project management nightmare. You would have to be very good to keep the several independents on the same page so that you would end up with a high quality functional, maintainable, extendable system. I think this would be very difficult.

TWO - higher someone to do the whole thing for you while you behave like the end product consumer. This might be more expensive up front. But, you can leave all the design decisions up to the provider. You define the functionality you need and periodically review the develop of the system and they take care of all the heavy lifting.
I would find a local technology company that was easy to work with.

Cost?
I have never paid anyone to do this. (oops - another disclainer) So, the following is based on what I would charge to do this. Assuming a very simple system, at about $50/hr. Assuming the appropriate hardware and internet connectivity exists (third party free server probably would not do).

1 - get definition of functional and aesthetic needs from you. Document and confirm them. - 2 days minimum.
2 - setup MySQL database - 2 days minimum.
3 - write Perl CGI code - 2 days minimum.
4 - get you to review the work and incorporate your responses as appropriate - 2 days minimum.

Total 8 days at $50 per hour = $3200.

Plus, long term hardware and database maintenance.

The listing above is very idealized and represents an ideal development cycle. That never happens. So, that $3200 is kind of a minimum starting cost. THIS IS NOT A QUOTE. I HAVE A JOB. There might be local internet service providers that will setup and run commercial e-bussiness sites that might cut that cost some. I don't know.

THREE - OK, I know. I said there were only two basic options. The third would be to piddle along on it learning the stuff as you had time. I could see this option taking a long time.

I hope this is helpful.

I would be interested in seeing responses from others on this.






keep the rudder amid ship and beware the odd typo