Hi all,

 

I was hoping someone can help me with a problem.

 

I would like to build a price comparison website but I only have knowledge of HTML, XHTML and CSS.

I understand that I require some knowledge of scripting language such as PHP. Although PHP is a free open source language, I have been told to stick to Microsoft based scripting language e.g. ASP.net (No reasons given).

 

Can someone please direct me, with information on a suitable method of achieving this?

 

P.S. I would like to avoid buying scripts and rather learn to hand code them myself.

 

Any help will be most appreciated.

 

Danny

Hi all,

 

I was hoping someone can help me with a problem.

 

I would like to build a price comparison website but I only have knowledge of HTML, XHTML and CSS.

I understand that I require some knowledge of scripting language such as PHP. Although PHP is a free open source language, I have been told to stick to Microsoft based scripting language e.g. ASP.net (No reasons given).

 

Can someone please direct me, with information on a suitable method of achieving this?

 

P.S. I would like to avoid buying scripts and rather learn to hand code them myself.

 

Any help will be most appreciated.

 

Danny

 

Just use php and mysql ASP.NET idk who told u it but its not better

I would imagine coding a price comparison website from scratch is a very complex and long job, after you've learnt the basics of PHP and MySQLl I'd look at a PHP Framework as they could save you a lot of time when coding your site.

 

I don't know much about PHP Frameworks myself but I'm sure someone else can give you some good advice on which ones they'd recommend.

Ok, so I need to start with PHP and MySQL. I found XAMPP for Windows from Apachefriends.org.

 

I browsed around w3schools.com. It's seems like a great site to learn, but here is a new problem. According to w3schools I have to learn:

HTML - I'm good for this.

XHTML - I'm good for this.

 

and JavaScript before I can learn php.

 

Is JavaScript necessary?

I'd recommend you use javascript for various UI elements, however you should be focusing on functionality first. You should plan beforehand, mock up some wireframes and design the database. Don't cut corners or you'll never get it done.

 

 

Regarding the price comparison - It's a fairly simple task, however it's totally depedant on what type of data you're going to be pulling in as there's many ways to do it. If you're pulling the prices from external feeds you'd need to look at normalizing that data. It's much simpler if you're going to be entering the prices yourself.

 

A framework tends to be a big jump for someone who is learning and really you should learn basic PHP first.

Ok, so I need to start with PHP and MySQL. I found XAMPP for Windows from Apachefriends.org.

 

I browsed around w3schools.com. It's seems like a great site to learn, but here is a new problem. According to w3schools I have to learn:

HTML - I'm good for this.

XHTML - I'm good for this.

 

and JavaScript before I can learn php.

 

Is JavaScript necessary?

 

You just need to know the basics of Javascript.

I only studied Javascript for a few hour (reading over some of the basics) before I started PHP. I'm at the same stage as you, it would seem, just starting to learn the basics of PHP. It's actually quite easy to pick up the syntax, it's just putting what I've learnt to use that's the problem for me. W3schools is okay, but it teaches you pointless techniques (how to create a form which you enter your name, and it shows you what you entered, etc). I'm going to study over the basics and then download an e-book on how to put PHP into works I think.

Thanks guys, it's time for me to get my head around JavaScript and PHP.

If you're doing a price comparison website, how are you comparing prices?

 

Are you entering prices for items yourself manually, or are you getting them from third parties (i.e. the 'supplier')?

 

If the latter, you will need to ask the supplier:

 

a) for their permission to be on your site

if they have an XML feed you can use or if you can 'screen scrape' their site

Asp.net in webforms or MVC flavours are great for handling logic and flow over a complex site like a PCW.

 

Please don't under estimate the task before you.

 

Your PCW will need to securely capture data, connect to your suppliers for data, compile it and display back to the user.

 

Phew!

 

.NET is easy to learn, all the tools are free and supported and learning c# will make you a hot property if you decide to be a contractor.

 

Best of luck.