Flat File Database for Code Retrieval

[boxerman]

Hi,
I don't expect someone to work this out for me, but I would appreciate some recommendations on where to start so I could try to figure out how to do this - maybe you know of a great resource that will guide me very specifically...

I need to create a form that asks only for the persons name and email address...(using a regular formmailer script-this is not my problem and is already done). I need to somehow make it to where when the form is submitted there is an autoresponse back to that person with their name inputted: "Hi Carol," but more importantly, in a special section of the autoreply there is a unique code inserted from a flat-file database. The codes do not need to be generated, in fact I need to manually paste them into the file myself.

Any ideas?

Thanks so much!

 

[KevinADC]

do you know how to open and read a file? Do you know how to use sendmail or SMTP?

- Kevin, perl coder unexceptional!

 

[stevexff]

Also, depending on how many subscribers you are expecting (not that many possibly, given that you are planning to edit the file by hand) you may be better off using a real database rather than a flat file...

Steve

[small]"Every program can be reduced by one instruction, and every program has at least one bug. Therefore, any program can be reduced to one instruction which doesn't work." (Object:erlDesignPatterns)[/small]

 

[boxerman]

Hi,
Thanks for the responses. I can code basic html, install cgi/perl programs and at least know the path to sendmail to use it. I thought about a regular database, but I was hoping for the simplest way to set it up.
Thanks!

 

[travs69]

I'm still a little confused at what you are trying to do. You want to have a form that someone puts a email address in. You are then going to send an email to that person with a unique code. Are you looking to do some kind of activation type of email?

You could have your perl script randomly generate this code for you and store it in a file/db with the persons email address for later verification. I would say whether to use a flat file or a DB would depend on your load. If you are only going to have a handful of people a day then use a flat file.

 

[KevinADC]

where to start....

http://www.perl.org/books/beginning-perl/

- Kevin, perl coder unexceptional!