Digital Workshop

Hi

I'm new to the Post Web Data action (never tried it before) and need some leads as to scripting the web site side script (Perl?) that will process my data. The data is relatively simple: I need have quiz-takers submit their first and last name, age, gender, email address and their scores on 2 quizzes (all saved in the project in variables (firstname, lastname, age, gender, email, score1 and score2).

Fiddling with the Post Web Data action dialog box, I suspect that all I will need to do is add the correct URL/plus cgi-bin/results.pl and enter the variables in the Source area (no need for Destination, as I don't need to have data sent back-I can directly view the collected data on the site).

Here's where I get stuck: not understanding the "mechanics" of Post Web Data, I can't figure out what happens on my site when the data is sent. I understand it needs a script to process it (tell it what to do, where to be stored), but what file needs to be set up on the web site to hold the data? Can I create, upload and use an Access .mdb file or an Excel .xls file with cells for each of the variables on lines going down the spreadsheet? Even simpler, can I store the data line by line in a .txt text file?

What would a script look like. Where is the script placed?(file on web site?) If I had a basic script sample, I could probably adapt it to include these variables.

I am hoping for some leads to help me learn how to accomplish this and would appreciate any help.

Kind Regards,

Have you taken a look at the tutorial DW created?

http://www.digitalworkshop.com/Resources/Tutorials/PostWebData1.shtml

Maybe it will help you find your answers.

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for the email about this one. I've posted a detailled reply but here are some crib notes:

1. Opus talks to a php (asp) script at a given location (http address). It can either execute the script and cause an action; or it can post or get variables.

2. PHP, like Opus, uses SQL to talk to an SQL databases that is either stored on your web server or another web server somewhere else in the world. You don't have to upload anything. Either the package you purchased by your host (mine is 1&1) provides a web database for you or not. If not you can choose a free one provided by somebody else and still access the data from a PHP script on your web server.

3. You will need to create an actual database within the mySQL database that contains tables, fields and data in exactly the same way as you would with an Access DB - but you will most likely have to do this 'online' via an interface provided by your host - such as myPHPAdmin. For the more technical person - the fantastic T.O.A.D is available for free for mySQL but requires the correct permissions.

Basic data storage / retrieval with the tutorials on the forum is straightforward if everthing is working correctly. With a little more effect, and a few PHP / SQL tricks you can solve more complex problems.

Mack

Hi Mack

Thanks for your reply. From both your email and this posting, it sounds like the first item I'll need to check is availability of myPHPAdmin or a similar program from my ISP. This sounds like the way to create a basic DB on my site as a first step.

Again, thanks, for this very helpful education on how these features work.

Kind Regards,

Stephen