Client Access Portal Website

[Chrisxs5]

We need to create a web page that will show our customers their reports. The reports will need to be created using our sql tables and of course their web access login. Any ideas for me to take a look at. I have only cretaed websites using frontpage and templates. I would like some easy to use software if there is anything.

[michaewlewis]

If you're looking for something easy, find a professional to do it for you.
If you feel like tackling it yourself, you will need to learn quite a lot about php. It's a server-side programming language that is fairly easy to learn and is very common in the www.

[Chrisxs5]

Is there any good php software out there I can take a look at? I am not opposed to learning code, was just trying to avoid it.

[michaewlewis]

The software you need to write php code is just a text editor like notepad or notepad++
To run the code, you need to have a server with php support. You can set up your own apache server with php by downloading xampp from www.apachefriends.org. Or you can use your current web host if they support php.

To get a good start on php, I recommend going to Barnes & Noble or Borders or another local bookstore and looking through their selection on books for learning php & mysql.

[Chrisxs5]

I think 'PHP for Dummies' would be my best bet. But yes if I go this way I will go get a book. But from a little research on php it sounds like I will have to convert my SQLserver databases to another style, is this correct?

[michaewlewis]

Actually php can interface with several different sql databases and other extensions outlined here: http://www.php.net/manual/en/install.windows.extensions.php
What database are you using?

[Chrisxs5]

Actually php can interface with several different sql databases and other extensions outlined here: http://www.php.net/manual/en/install.windows.extensions.php
What database are you using?

We have four seperate databases all of which are SQLserver (.mdf).

[michaewlewis]

Ok, mssql is supported. When you get your server and php set up, you will need to edit the php config file to tell it to use mssql databases, and probably tell it where the current databases reside.

[Chrisxs5]

I got 'Intro to PHP'and so far have not had the time to get into it, time of course is always my issue.  I am going to read through the book completely once and then start on the site. If I have any questions I will come back to this post and ask. Thanks for the advice!

[michaewlewis]

good luck. 

[Chrisxs5]

Thanks  It appears I will need it.

[Chrisxs5]

After a couple of meetings about setting up a php server, my boss decided he did not want to add the server software to our server. With that in mind I have set it up on my home computer and am trying to learn php right now, we will see how this goes. Is there another method to do what I am trying to do, I can explore?

[michaewlewis]

There's other software available to try out php, but I've never used them and can't remember what they are.
I think using xampp is easy enough and will give you a better idea of what a server acts like.

Maybe someone else will tell us what the other programs are.....

[Chrisxs5]

Just a short update on what I have decided to do.

I will be using Content Management System (CMS).  [Joomla.org] It appears to be about 80 percent of what we need and we have the other 20 percent on hand so we are excited.

Thanks for all your help.