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PHP

Ryan Hemrick
Ryan Hemrick
12,759 Points
Posted by Ryan Hemrick
Ryan Hemrick
12,759 Points

Gathering Form Data and Allowing Client Access to Data

Hey everyone,

I have a question concerning a project I am working on for a client. The client requires a single form on the page. The form will include multiple input fields and a file input field. I know the basics of getting form input from the user and emailing the data via email. I don't want to send emails to my client, I really want to have a simple database that they can access to see the form submission data. I am not sure what my options are for achieving this. If anyone could help show me what my options are that would be great!

The site's content will not be updated regularly so I figured a CMS wouldn't be needed.

Any feedback would be great!

2 Answers

Hugo Paz
Hugo Paz
15,622 Points
Hugo Paz
Hugo Paz
15,622 Points

Hi Ryan,

Seems to me that a CMS might be a good option. Even though you said the content itself won't be changed much, you still need a robust back end where your client can see form submissions, filter them, delete them and do a whole heap of other actions.

You will need to code that if you are going for a custom approach.

Ryan Hemrick
Ryan Hemrick
12,759 Points
Ryan Hemrick
Ryan Hemrick
12,759 Points

Thanks for the response Hugo. I don't like coding around a template and I prefer to start from scratch and then integrate with a CMS if I have to work with one. Do you have much experience with CMS? If so, which one allows for more of a DIY setup?

Hugo Paz
Hugo Paz
15,622 Points
Hugo Paz
Hugo Paz
15,622 Points

I mostly work with Wordpress. I wonder if there isn't a plugin that achieves something that similar to what you are looking for.

thomascawthorn
thomascawthorn
22,986 Points
thomascawthorn
thomascawthorn
22,986 Points

If you're looking to start an application from scratch, you should probably use an application framework. Frameworks provide the underworkings that almost every web app shares - all you have to do is extend and implement your own functionality.

I'm working with laravel, which has a course here on Treehouse.

From what you've described, I understand that you want to create database entries based on a single form?

Using a php framework just to acheive this functionality would probably be over kill so I would suggest looking at Wordpress -it really depends on your personal preference.

Both options might include a learning curve, but you should be able to deploy quicker because a lot of the heavy lifting has been done for you (unless you're looking to learn more in the process, and that's why you're coding it yourself ;) ).