Laboratory 5: Programming with PHP and MySQL


The aim of this lab is to introduce you to the development of database-backed PHP applications using MySQL.

Tasks

  1. Download, install and test the prime minister database search example (assoc-mysql.zip) on dwarf.

    This version stores the prime minister database as an array of associative arrays as before. But it also contains some database access functions in file includes/db_defs.php and an SQL file for creating and populating a MySQL table pms in file sql/pms.sql.

    First, create and populate the table pms in MySQL.

    Then, carefully reread the section on user-defined queries in the PHP and MySQL lecture notes

    Finally, modify the function search() in file includes/defs.php to construct an SQL query from the parameter $query to perform the database search, and test it thoroughly. You should then have a working database search example (but without the ability to modify the database). .

    Remember that a well-written solution will link the same external style sheet to every page of the application, will validate and sanitise user input (the query), and will be well-commented and laid out.

    Remember also to observe the application requirements from Lab 3 for all PHP applications form now on.

  2. Complete the List Detail example (list-detail.zip) by implementing the delete and update operations.

    This is a key task for Assignment 1.

Milestone

Complete Tasks 1 and 2.