I am developing a Q & A Site for my students. I find stackoverflow an amazing example and would like to have something similar(if not this feature rich) for my course.
I am a sytem programmer not much familiar with web-application development. How do I begin. Database scheme, features, AJAXness etc. Can I get some existing codebase I can build on top of? Something opensource?
Language of choice is PHP. Any pointers are welcome.
Thank you in advance.
Edited: Added info
It would be reasonably trivial to create something similar as a learning exercise, but the real value behind the stackoverflow site is the polish, attention to detail and vision that's gone into the site and associated branding/marketing, etc.
Irrespective, you'll probably find that you get more answers if you do the ground work yourself and then post questions for any specific architecture/design/implementation issues you get stuck on.
It shouldn't be hard to replicate using PHP/MySQL. It's not a very complicated site. plan out how you want all of the tables/classes to be laid out (Questions, Answers, Users, Tags,Rep,Badges,etc.) and start coding.
Is there any particular part that you are confused about or looking for advice about?
Related
I'm looking for a php/mysql-based rating and comment system that has a one time license fee per site. Can someone recommend something?
I could build my own -- I already started but then I was thinking there must be something out there already.
It would be nice if it included the ability to poll people too.
Thanks
I've been seeing a lot of sites using Disqus. You might give that a look.
It's not really clear what you need exactly, but facebook is offering comments for your site as well.
you could build your own threaded comment system with this class here:
http://www.jongales.com/blog/2009/01/27/php-class-for-threaded-comments/
You would just have to design your table structure, its not really that hard, as for polling would be something else, i dont think you'll find an integrated soultion since, they are two different beasts.
I am learning PHP with help of Wrox Beginning PHP5 but there aren't many practice question in there so can u guys know where I can find a whole bunch of PHP exercises? Kind of like homework/math problems. Where they get increasingly difficult and elaborate.
Practice I am looking for are on the following topics:
Decisions, Loops and Arrays.
Functions.
XML
Files & Directories.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
appu.
You could try to come up with a web application to create. Forums, a Pythagoras solver etc.
http://projecteuler.net/
There are lots of questions on here like this, search for php project/challenge.
If I were you I'd come up with a small project for yourself, build a small website based on some interest you have. Implement basic things like logins, CRUD operations etc.
This will give you much more experience and build your knowledge quicker than completing small unrelated tasks.
Learning PHP is easy. In fact learning an language is easy. If you try learning it in the course of building a whole project your self it would teach you the practical implementation of functions and concepts. You can even search for projects on internet which will help you for having an start. I even learnt php in course of developing an project for my course work. Good Luck with your efforts.
I realise this is probably not the best place to post such as question but thought I'd try anyway. I'm developing a new community driven website in the same vein as SO. I'm just wondering the best way to get the website out there and visible.
I'm wondering if anyone knows of any websites used to promote new startups and such? I'm aware of SEO techniques, etc.
The reason I'm wondering is that since it's community driven there won't be much content to get indexed by search engines.
thanks,
Jonesy
I think you have already missed some things if you need to ask this question. The following article explains in depth on what you need to do to at least come closer to getting successful with a community site: http://jasonlbaptiste.com/featured-articles/if-you-build-it-they-wont-come/
By the way, the whole blog is worth reading.
I know this isn't a directly programming related question but I need some help in deciding which book to buy. I usually never buy books, instead I download instructional videos and ebooks from file sharing sites. But I want to buy one big fat book now that I can read on the subways to and from work.
So for MASTERING php/mysql which book has helped you the most and you would recommend above all others.
I don't know how much experience you have with PHP/MYSQL, but the two main books that I have used to master PHP are Head First: PHP/MYSQL, which uses a really interesting graphical teaching method, and Advanced PHP Programming by George Schlossnagle. Those are really the only two books you need to get up and running with PHP. Read up on all of the content that is pre-built in PHP by using PHP.net. Other than that, just code a lot. The best way to master PHP is through experience.
Head First PHP/Mysql --very good book that gets you on the right track.
PHP and MySQL Web Development 4th Edition --covers everything of php/mysql that a beginner needs to know. EDIT: This book is better off as a reference then a "learning" book because it covers a lot but not in depth.
AFTER you have learned all of procedural PHP, consider moving to a framework.
I've looked through a lot of books after just getting in and working on things for about a year. None has been as useful as actually getting in, trying things out, and asking advice of people with more experience.
As such, I recommend Google and StackOverflow.
I am currently building a blog type website for myself. I have used wordpress in the past and really enjoy it, but when it comes to building more than just a blog I usually get bogged down in writing hacks for it.
The site I'm building is going to pretty much be a blog, but with a 'question and answer' side to it (NOT A FORUM - purely Q&A). Therefore, bbPress and buddyPress doesn't quite hit the mark. I have used CI for awhile now, but when it comes to security I fall short. CI does not have an auth library, however, Kohana does.
My question is: I would like to have full control over my site, but I'm worried about my lack of knowledge in the security department. Would I be better off using Wordpress as a base, or would it be beneficial for me in the long run to use something like Kohana?
Your advice is greatly appreciated.
First of all, I would like to say that you can't compare Wordpress and Kohana. One is a content management system and the other is a programming framework.
As for your question: Since you've stated you're not that experienced with security I suggest you stick with Wordpress; It's maintained by developers who know what they're doing.
If you want to go ahead and create something yourself then make sure you keep up-to date with all the current security issues and how to resolve them. Here are a few resources you might be interested in: PHPSEC, OWASP and PHP Security. You should probably read those anyway (as you're writing Wordpress plugins).
Good luck with your choice either way.
Hmm, if you can write the "hacks" for wordpress, than modify it to your needs.
If you think you can write the security better, than use Zend Framework since it has a Auth lib.
http://framework.zend.com/
I dont realy know about kohana
Hmmm... for the Questions and Answers, have a look at Qhub. I'm aboutto implement it for a client of mine who's an adoption counselor. She gets tons of questions via emails and it's always the same ones over and over. I saw it on Design Reviver a while back and I thought it was a great idea. Plus I got in contact with one of the co-founders of Qhub and they told me that they are implementing some more privacy and privileges controls which is really good news since I only want my client to be able to answer the questions.
I would use WP with Qhub to be honest. If it's a blog-type site and you're already comfortable with WP, why not stick with it?
Hope this helps!
Check out the TDO Mini Forms plugin. I think it may serve your needs perfectly!