8th Aug 2008 17:40pm
Mini Message Board Tutorial
Many websites like to have a message board / forum on their site, but would prefer their own "product". Well if you like, feel free to follow this tutorial and you'll learn how to create a mini message board in PHP and MySQL.
Database Stuff
Before we start with any of the coding, you will need to go into your phpMyAdmin and (if you haven't already got a 'threads' and 'replies' table) paste this in the SQL box. If you already have a threads and replies table in your database then you will need to change it accordingly to what's on the tutorial.
CREATE TABLE `threads` (
`id` INT NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT ,
`title` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL ,
`message` TEXT NOT NULL ,
`author` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL ,
`replies` INT( 11 ) NOT NULL ,
`posted` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL ,
PRIMARY KEY ( `id` )
) ENGINE = MYISAM;
CREATE TABLE `replies` (
`id` INT NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT ,
`thread` INT( 11 ) NOT NULL ,
`message` TEXT NOT NULL ,
`author` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL ,
`posted` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL ,
PRIMARY KEY ( `id` )
) ENGINE = MYISAM
This will allow the information to be stored in the database.
New Thread Form
Now as that has been added we need to start with the first page (index.php).
<?php
mysql_connect("localhost", "USERNAME", "PASSWORD");
mysql_select_db("DATABASE");
?>
The code above has connected to the database. You will need to change USERNAME to your database username, PASSWORD to your database password and DATABASE to the name of your database.
Now we need to first of all be able to make a thread. To do this you'll need to create a form on the index.php page with three boxes and a button.
<form action="newthread.php" method="POST">
Your Name: <input type="text" name="author"><br>
Thread Title: <input type="text" name="title"><br>
Thread:<br><textarea cols="60" rows="5" name="message"></textarea><br>
<input type="submit" value="Post Thread">
</form>
Your page should look something like this at the moment.
Inserting the New Thread
Now we need the form to enter the information into the database. To do this we will create a file, which is where the form will send the data to called 'newthread.php'. At the top of the file you will need to connect to the database again, then add an INSERT function.
<?php
mysql_connect("localhost", "USERNAME", "PASSWORD");
mysql_select_db("DATABASE");
$time = time();
mysql_query("INSERT INTO threads VALUES(NULL,'$_POST[title]','$_POST[message]','$_POST[author]','0','$time')");
echo "Thread Posted.<br><a href='index.php'>Return</a>";
?>If you don't understand what's happening about, basically we're telling the script to add the data sent from the form on the previous page into the database.
Hopefully when you fill something in the form and click "Post Thread" you should get a message like this.
Showing List of Threads
Great! So far. You've been able to add a thread into the database. Now we need to be able to show this thread. To do this we will be using mysql_query() again and also mysql_fetch_array().
On index.php underneath the end of the form (</form>) add a horizontal rule (<hr>) then add this PHP beneath it. I will explain it all with comments within the code.
<?php
// We are selecting everything from the threads section in the database and ordering them newest to oldest.
$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM threads ORDER BY posted DESC");
// Now we are getting our results and making them an array
while($r = mysql_fetch_array($sql)) {
// Everything within the two curly brackets can read from the database using $r[]
// We need to convert the UNIX Timestamp entered into the database for when a thread...
// ... is posted into a readable date, using date().
$posted = date("jS M Y h:i",$r[posted]);
// Now we will show the available threads
echo "<h3><a href='msg.php?id=$r[id]'>$r[title]</a> ($r[replies])</h3><h4>Posted by $r[author] on $posted</h4>";
// End of Array
}
?>
If you have followed the tutorial correctly you should now see something like this.
Reading Threads
Basically everything on the index page is done now. All that's left now is reading a thread and replying to a thread.
This stage will teach you how to read the threads. Create a file called 'msg.php'
Connect to the database...
<?php
// Connecting to the database again
mysql_connect("localhost", "USERNAME", "PASSWORD");
mysql_select_db("DATABASE");
Add a link to the previous page, so you can go back to the index page.
// Here's a link that will allow you to go back to the index
echo "<a href='index.php'>Go Back...</a>";
Do a mysql_query to select the thread you're reading.
// This query selects the current thread using the $_GET value.
$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM threads WHERE id = '$_GET[id]'");
Show the result from the thread query and show it with a horizontal rule beneath it.
// Now we are getting our results and making them an array
while($r = mysql_fetch_array($sql)) {
// Here is the thread title.
echo "<h2>$r[title]</h2>";
// Everything within the two curly brackets can read from the database using $r[]
// We need to convert the UNIX Timestamp entered into the database for when a thread...
// ... is posted into a readable date, using date().
$posted = date("jS M Y h:i",$r[posted]);
// Now this shows the thread with a horizontal rule after it.
echo "$r[message]<h4>Posted by $r[author] on $posted</h4><hr>";
// End of Array
}
Now to show the replies, using the $_GET query from the thread.
echo "<h3>Replies...</h3>";
// Here we will get it to show the replies
// This query selects the replies from the database where the thread ID matches the thread $_GET value.
$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM replies WHERE thread = '$_GET[id]'");
// Now we are getting our results and making them an array
while($r = mysql_fetch_array($sql)) {
// Everything within the two curly brackets can read from the database using $r[]
// We need to convert the UNIX Timestamp entered into the database for when a thread...
// ... is posted into a readable date, using date().
$posted = date("jS M Y h:i",$r[posted]);
// Now this shows the thread with a horizontal rule after it.
echo "$r[message]<h4>Posted by $r[author] on $posted</h4><hr>";
// End of Array
}
?>
Now show the form to do the reply in.
<form action="newreply.php" method="POST">
Your Name: <input type="text" name="author">
<input type="hidden" value="<?php echo $_GET[id]; ?>" name="thread"><br>
Message:<br><textarea cols="60" rows="5" name="message"></textarea><br>
<input type="submit" value="Post Reply">
</form>
This will now allow you to do a reply to the thread. However if you test it you will get an Error 404 (cannot find the file), so now we'll need to make the 'newreply.php' file.
Inserting the Reply
Connect to the database again.
<?php
mysql_connect("localhost", "USERNAME", "PASSWORD");
mysql_select_db("DATABASE");
Get the current time as a UNIX Timestamp as a varible.
$time = time();
Insert the information sent from the form into the database.
mysql_query("INSERT INTO replies VALUES(NULL,'$_POST[thread]','$_POST[message]','$_POST[author]','$time')");
Now we will need to update the reply count in the threads database.
mysql_query("UPDATE threads SET replies = replies + 1 WHERE id = '$_POST[thread]'");
Now make a little 'reply posted' message with a link back to the thread.
echo "Reply Posted.<br><a href='msg.php?id=$_POST[thread]'>Return</a>";
?>
Give it a try and it should send a reply to the thread.
Finished
That's basically it. Obviously this is a quick and dirty method of doing a message board and it is open to so many bugs, hacks, XSS, etc.. but the code can be optimized to make it better.
What you should have learned...
- How to build a HTML form
- How to connect to a database
- How to read information from a database
- How to add new information into the database
Things to make it better?
- Why not try adding a registration section on it, that will allow visitors to sign up and post without having to enter their name each time.
- Add an post icons for each post, so posters can select various icons for each topic.
- Create an Admin Control Panel, for ease of use when you need to remove a reply or thread.
- Add more security to the board. (Search around about strip_slashes(), html_special_chars() and similar things)
- Use nl2br() to make each line down show as a new line down.
- Adapt on the methods used in this tutorial to make a discussion board / forum with different rooms and categories
The stuff you can do with this simple and basic script tutorial is endless.
Feedback
I'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any then please contact
Dale Hay (that's me!) or leave a comment on this post.
100 Comment(s) -:- Permalink
9th Aug 2008 0:24
Didn't your mother teach you to sanitize your database inputs? By Tim
9th Aug 2008 1:43
The database stuff seems clean enough. Though I am altogether a messy coder, my Dad tells me all the time about it when I do my VB stuff.
10th Aug 2008 17:52
Thanks. it is a very nice tutorial. but can you please go with the update & delete options? thanks.
10th Aug 2008 18:17
Is it just me or are you not closing your database connection?
By
10th Aug 2008 21:08
Abubaker Swedan - I will expand on this tutorial soon and make it so things can be updated and deleted. :)
*unknown* - I don't really see the point in closing the connection as the database link is closed automatically when the script finishes executing.
12th Aug 2008 12:18
It is an excellent! for me, it is my first time I see inside php and database coding staff!, very easy and best logical explanation that everyone can understand. Thanks a lot... By Abdullahi
17th Aug 2008 5:32
i'm killing time while waiting for laptop and reading some stuff, this is one of bestly provided db basics i've came across.
thank you m8 :D By dread coder
20th Aug 2008 6:30
Very nice basic tutorial, though I would stress the vulnerabilities of using this basic, unsanitized code on a live site.
By Reiss
20th Aug 2008 8:59
Thank you Reiss, also yeah I have mentioned it within the tutorial about the fact it is open to so many bugs and stuff. Though using this as a skeleton and working out from it would be good for an offline (or hidden online) project.
21st Aug 2008 22:30
Yeah for all you people out there, it's not required in MySql to ALWAYS close out your connection. However, it makes it a bit more secure when you do close it, and have to reopen a connection or something else...
21st Aug 2008 23:25
The thing that would get me though is say if you had a site like MySpace where there are thousands of connections being made every minute, wouldn't closing and opening it cause a slight bit more server load?
21st Aug 2008 23:53
is there a way round so we can use the forum system into a login system
22nd Aug 2008 0:08
Are you wanting to add a login system on this forum? Or you wanting to change this tutorial to a login system?
22nd Aug 2008 2:52
i want to add a login system to this forum
22nd Aug 2008 20:48
i want to add a login system to this forum that im using
23rd Aug 2008 4:35
I will write up a tutorial addon for this over the next couple of days. Keep checking back or subscribe to the RSS Feed.
23rd Aug 2008 7:39
Hello. I'm a very poor coder and new to PHP. I suprised myself by making it as far as, well, I posted this in another forum, I was wondering if you might be able to help:
I am trying to make a message board while viewing [URL="http://www.dalehay.com/comment/497/"]this thread[/URL]. Everything was going unexpectedly well untill I got to the part in the tutorial labeled "Showing List of Threads" and it said on the [URL="http://trymegraphics.com/mb/"]message board URL[/URL]:
Warning: mysql_fetch_array(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /home/trymegra/public_html/mb/index.php on line 20
I added that code the way they said, but that came up and I'm wondering, was I supost to modify something, add something in a mysql thing, what? >.< I don't understand why it isn't connecting
*******************
If you are able to help me it would be MUCH appreciated. If you may, please contact me at rbj1994[at]yahoo[dot]ca (I typed it that way because I get enough spam as it is
) I'm terribally sorry if you're too busy to help me, I'll look around more to see if I might be able to resolve this issue. And
you're not a messy coder! My sites are just terribally coded, and it's really rather depressing
23rd Aug 2008 19:39
i want to use it with a login system
23rd Aug 2008 20:04
SQL Injection here we come! By Remco
25th Aug 2008 4:21
Rebecca - The code above should connect, as the mysql_fetch_array() is correctly made and I have also ran through the code in this tutorial before I made it live. The problem you're coming up with is probably to do with either your server's PHP version is out-of-date (out-of-date a lot!!) or you've not entered your correct settings.
Paultiscali - As I said earlier... I'm going to make another tutorial soon that allows this message board to be login-able.
Remco - Get a life and fuck off if you're going to "SQL Inject" the things that I teach others to do. I bet you're one of these people that just sit there... browse Pixel2Life and think "Ahhh, there's a new tutorial on here.. I'm going to go on the site because I know how to do this little "script kiddy" style crap on there because I have loads of MySpace friends to show it off too." - You're a wanker and you need to get a fucking life... yeah... get a life. Toss Pot.
26th Aug 2008 10:58
Thank you so much. This is truly great code for a base of forum. I am allowed to make add-ons right? If so, I will add BBCode, Post Count, Signatures, etc.
Thanks!!!
26th Aug 2008 21:41
Dan, you are allowed to make addons and if you wish you can also mention / post them on here if you want to allow other people to have them too.
I will be making a login system for it over the next few days too. :)
31st Aug 2008 10:12
all i want to know is how to add the login system to the messageboard and if its ready yet and also can you answer my question on your forum please dale
2nd Sep 2008 21:53
This is a nice straightforward basic system. There are two elements of BB's that I don't understand and would love to see discussed..
1. Threading. How the heck do you retrieve nested threads when you don't know how many levels you need to pull back? I've not been able to figure out the logic to do it.
2. Quoting. How do they grab a quote from someone else's post with a button? By James F
4th Sep 2008 7:36
uh how do i make it where there is a minumal amount that must be typed so people dont just spam the post thread button
17th Sep 2008 10:07
very good tutorial i made it compeletly true thanks By 3m masr
18th Sep 2008 23:43
thanks for great tutorial. but
INSERT INTO threads VALUES('','$_POST[title]','$_POST[message]','$_POST[author]','0','$time')
code doesnt work with mysql 5 I solved this problem through mysql 4.1 By shelltox
23rd Sep 2008 14:59
Do you know how to update the tutorial so that
INSERT INTO threads VALUES('','$_POST[title]','$_POST[message]','$_POST[author]','0','$time')
works for mysql 5?
By Richard
23rd Sep 2008 17:17
I take it I don't use MySQL 5 as I have no problems with it, however there doesn't seem to be any solutions lingering around on the internet. Try these two edits then... as I think that may work.
Try replacing:
mysql_query("INSERT INTO threads VALUES('','$_POST[title]','$_POST[message]','$_POST[author]','0','$time')");
With:
mysql_query("INSERT INTO threads (`id`, `title`, `message`, `author`, `replies`, `posted`) VALUES('','$_POST[title]','$_POST[message]','$_POST[author]','0','$time')");
Also try replacing:
mysql_query("INSERT INTO replies VALUES('','$_POST[thread]','$_POST[message]','$_POST[author]','$time')");
With:
mysql_query("INSERT INTO replies (`id`, `thread`, `message`, `author`, `posted`) VALUES('','$_POST[thread]','$_POST[message]','$_POST[author]','$time')");
26th Sep 2008 3:08
I found the problem.
in mysql5 if you use
INSERT INTO threads VALUES('','$_POST[title]','$_POST[message]','$_POST[author]','0','$time')
it gives Incorrect integer value
use null instead of '' it works fine.
namely
INSERT INTO threads VALUES(null,'$_POST[title]','$_POST[message]','$_POST[author]','0','$time')
By shelltox
26th Sep 2008 3:11
Ahhh, thank you for that shelltox. :) I'll update the tutorial with that correction now. :)
It should work fine using NULL with MySQL 4?
29th Sep 2008 7:38
Hi, I think in replyform
<input type="hidden" value="" name="thread"><br>
value="" must be value="$_GET[id]"
and can you give us some security information about this mini board.
By shelltox
29th Sep 2008 9:32
Oops... that ended up not parsing properly when I updated the tutorial a few days ago. I've sorted that out.
Also "security" ? In what sense? This tutorial is just for a bog standard forum, nothing special - unless I turned it into a full time project, with which I'd then take time to sort out the bugs and holes in it. To be honest any script kiddie could have fun playing with this board as the amount of problems with it - it's just not 100% practical for use on a commercial basis.
20th Oct 2008 6:35
I use MySQL 5 and I have problems with replies Nummbers ()[The nummer is always 0]. Can you help me, please?
Could you send me a working Code for MySQL 5?
Thank you very much. By Alan
21st Oct 2008 4:01
Could you send me please the correct Mini Message Board Code for MySQL 5? I'd really appreciate that.Thank you very much.
By Alan
22nd Oct 2008 18:39
For those idiots that come posting about "escaping" queries, etc., why are you reading this tutorial if you know all that? It's good for a beginner, so no need to put beginners off with that rubbish.
30th Oct 2008 23:11
i followed this tutorial and cant seem to get it working, the index page works fine but when you try to create a new thread i get this -
Warning: mysql_connect() [function.mysql-connect]: Access denied for user 'Sweet92_Izzy'@'localhost' (using password: YES) in /home/sweet92/public_html/private/newthread.php on line 8
Warning: mysql_select_db() [function.mysql-select-db]: Access denied for user 'sweet92'@'localhost' (using password: NO) in /home/sweet92/public_html/private/newthread.php on line 9
Warning: mysql_select_db() [function.mysql-select-db]: A link to the server could not be established in /home/sweet92/public_html/private/newthread.php on line 9
Warning: mysql_query() [function.mysql-query]: Access denied for user 'sweet92'@'localhost' (using password: NO) in /home/sweet92/public_html/private/newthread.php on line 12
Warning: mysql_query() [function.mysql-query]: A link to the server could not be established in /home/sweet92/public_html/private/newthread.php on line 12
everything is right (username,password,database name)could someone please help me i dont whats wrong
31st Oct 2008 3:33
By the looks of it, you've used two different usernames in the script. (Sweet92_Izzy and sweet92)
4th Nov 2008 5:14
Could you send me please the correct Mini Message Board Code for MySQL 5? I'd really appreciate that.Thank you very much.
http://www.forum-ksa.com/vb
6th Nov 2008 3:04
I can't get mine to work. I don't have it under the index right now because I don't want to replace my current site. I saved it as index2.php and changed the appropriate code. I get a ton of warnings when I try and run it though:
Warning: mysql_connect() [function.mysql-connect]: Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock' (2) in /home/content/j/b/a/jbabrams2/html/index2.php on line 2
Warning: mysql_select_db() [function.mysql-select-db]: Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock' (2) in /home/content/j/b/a/jbabrams2/html/index2.php on line 3
Warning: mysql_select_db() [function.mysql-select-db]: A link to the server could not be established in /home/content/j/b/a/jbabrams2/html/index2.php on line 3
Warning: mysql_query() [function.mysql-query]: Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock' (2) in /home/content/j/b/a/jbabrams2/html/index2.php on line 17
Warning: mysql_query() [function.mysql-query]: A link to the server could not be established in /home/content/j/b/a/jbabrams2/html/index2.php on line 17
Warning: mysql_fetch_array(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /home/content/j/b/a/jbabrams2/html/index2.php on line 20
Can someone help??? My email is abrams6@illinois.edu. you can go to www.jeremyabrams.com/index2.php to view the problem for yourselves.
Thanks>
6th Nov 2008 5:51
Jeremy - the reason you're getting the "Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock'" error is something to do with your servers MySQL setup. Either you don't have MySQL setup on your website server (or if you do, then it's not setup correctly).
That's the only thing I can think of for that error (as I've had it plenty of times before).
6th Nov 2008 6:30
Well I'm using godaddy hosting services so they did everything for me...that's strange I guess ill have to call them.
11th Nov 2008 11:22
Around August 26th, I thanked you for your forum. Well I went and looked at the base and decided to expand.
Here is my result as of November 08:
http://cookyx.com/forum.php
(another web site I coded)
You're going to need to register in order to post and make topics, other than that, you can view topics.
What do you think Dale? :)
7th Dec 2008 4:51
This is not what I'm looking for
17th Dec 2008 9:10
Thanks, this is the one I want. It works fine.
4th Jan 2009 20:26
Thank you ill use this to work my way into creating my own software thank you so much.
7th Jan 2009 8:07
Nice Tutorial! Really Nice!
21st Feb 2009 1:48
For some reason the replies to a current posting are not showing up.
26th Feb 2009 0:13
Many thanks matey, Really well explain and a great foundation for me to build on. Love the site as well, really nice and colourful.
3rd Mar 2009 16:53
wOw, thats great..but the reply page for me didnt work enough.. By jam
4th Mar 2009 1:50
jam - Thanks. Also what happens? Does it send anything through? Or does it just show a blank page?
9th Mar 2009 4:34
brilliant tutorial, really helped me understand the process, the best I've seen.
thanks
xx By Nicky Donkin
11th Mar 2009 6:36
thanks a lot for ur briliant work , it helped me a lot to learn . but the last code " insert" is not working.
From the replies if I add text and post it then its showing error .
could u please help me on this .
thanks mate . By sarwar
4th Apr 2009 13:42
The code you provided is
<?php
// We are selecting everything from the threads section in the database and ordering them newest to oldest.
$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM threads ORDER BY posted DESC");
// Now we are getting our results and making them an array
while($r = mysql_fetch_array($sql)) { // line 17
// Everything within the two curly brackets can read from the database using $r[]
// We need to convert the UNIX Timestamp entered into the database for when a thread...
// ... is posted into a readable date, using date().
$posted = date("jS M Y h:i",$r[posted]);
// Now we will show the available threads
echo "<h3><a href='msg.php?id=$r[id]'>$r[title]</a> ($r[replies])</h3><h4>Posted by $r[author] on $posted</h4>";
// End of Array
}
?>
when I try this get error
Warning: mysql_fetch_array(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /home/danwari1/public_html/data/index.php on line 17
I added
or die(mysql_error())
to the code
and now it shows the error
No database selected
how to solve this, can any one help me !!
4th Apr 2009 20:55
Hi,
I have been following your guide and everything is working fine, except for one thing.
All the entries in the mysql table show the following:
Array=[The actual entry]
I have no idea what could be causing this:(
Any Ideas,
Martyn
4th Apr 2009 21:12
Further to my last message, i figured out what it was. I had:
mysql_query("INSERT INTO index_access
VALUES(NULL,'$_GET=[$ip]','$_GET=[$ua]','$time')");
when it should have been:
mysql_query("INSERT INTO index_access
VALUES(NULL,'$ip','$ua','$time')");
Martyn
11th Apr 2009 15:37
Heelo
Good site
3rd May 2009 22:31
This is great but only one thing :
<?php
mysql_connect("localhost", "USERNAME", "PASSWORD");
mysql_select_db("DATABASE");
Should here be a
<?php Tag?
$time = time();
mysql_query("INSERT INTO threads VALUES(NULL,'$_POST[title]','$_POST[message]','$_POST[author]','0','$time')");
echo "Thread Posted.<br><a href='index.php'>Return</a>";
?>
3rd May 2009 23:24
Destiny - There is no need for a " <?php " as it's already got it above. The " $time = time(); " follows straight on after the " mysql_select_db() " bit.
30th May 2009 19:09
This is a really great tutorial. Would it be possible for you to discuss the types of security issues which a basic system such as this would be vulnerable to, and how these could be addressed?
By Pedrito
1st Jun 2009 22:54
Hi bud did you get the new add-on uploaded... I checked your site but couldnt find it! thanks for a great script. By Dave Johns
2nd Jun 2009 5:07
Hello Dave,
I am slowly starting to work on the addons now. One that I am working on is the login side of things after it being requested by Paul (on the forum "ConvoWorld")
7th Jun 2009 8:27
Just want to make sure any one can use this. Why would security be a major concern if php is on the server side and the database is on the server as well? I would think that adding login systems to our indivisual sites would decrease these vulnerabilities, right. Adding by adding the ip address to the file(database) would deter illegal action as well. By Jim
9th Jun 2009 2:17
So cool, thanx man. This is such an basic tutorial, even I can understand it,
9th Jun 2009 6:36
Jim - There's always flaws easily to be found within PHP and MySQL. It's just annoying if they get exploited and cause havoc on the site.
bassline77 - Cheers mate.
8th Jul 2009 11:38
Love this I have been looking for a simple script to just let users post threads on my site. I did not want a full fourm.
I have just enough skill to write it but did not want to. You saved me a lot of time and taught me a few things.
Keep up the great work.
23rd Jul 2009 20:45
Nice
By Kim
27th Jul 2009 21:16
This is great...
Most scripts I find like this usually don't work, but this works just perfectly
By Damascus Steel
5th Aug 2009 22:17
This is exactly what I needed. Very helpful and clear and coincise. Thanks!!!
By Cathie
12th Aug 2009 17:32
Guys, RTFM!
"mysql_close() closes the non-persistent connection to the MySQL server that's associated with the specified link identifier. If link_identifier isn't specified, the last opened link is used.
Using mysql_close() isn't usually necessary, as non-persistent open links are automatically closed at the end of the script's execution." By Sebastian
15th Aug 2009 11:00
i was thinking for a way to make one of these thanks this helps alot By jake
17th Aug 2009 16:35
Awesome thanks alot, By Janker
9th Sep 2009 3:11
Wicked innit!!!! By Gemma
22nd Sep 2009 4:02
Is there any way to put BBcodes into this?
23rd Sep 2009 4:57
Anyway to add BBcodes to posts?
16th Oct 2009 9:05
Very nice By RDS
27th Oct 2009 2:59
Nice simple tutorial^^
However, it has these really strange errors--I'm not sure if you'd call them "errors" but its super weird.
I've tested out the forum a number of times. Each time the dummy posts have displayed and added fine. However, I went to post a useful topic on it and it won't display at all! A moment later I'll try a gibberish topic but if I try a real one it won't add to the database. VERY weird. So weird that its driving me up the wall and I'll have to ditch this and work with something else.
28th Oct 2009 19:12
uhmm, u forgot to paginate if ever it reaches a higher level... :) By bp
3rd Nov 2009 4:39
Other variant is possible also
9th Nov 2009 21:28
For those who are getting the "Warning: mysql_fetch_array(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result" error, make sure you created 2 tables in 1 database, not 2 databases. I did that and got that error... im really new to this stuff so I hope ive helped By mc
9th Nov 2009 21:29
Can u show pagination and security????? By mc
10th Nov 2009 22:12
Thank You so much for this, this is great!
13th Dec 2009 6:33
@ Dale: This is an awesome tutorial for someone like me who has got no clue on how to start the message board coding.
I will do the same in Java.
@Dan: Have you implemented your web page design only in HTML or have you used CSS as well?
Please reply as soon as possible. By Ravi
16th Feb 2010 10:13
I was unable to log in to the database until I deleted the <u>'s around the username password and database name. This solved the problem. Now it logs on to the database. By
16th Feb 2010 11:58
Hello Anonymous,
Sorry about that, the new way I've got the site showing code didn't like proper HTML inserted in with it, so I've removed them now.
Glad it works for you.
10th Mar 2010 17:47
gd tutorial By yeung
10th Mar 2010 17:51
excellent work By yeung
16th Mar 2010 6:28
Thanks so much! By jonny
24th Mar 2010 20:51
Hei, great tutorial!
It's simple yet so useful
by the way,in my index.php page, the "($r[replies])" command always return the number 0
so the output will always be "thread-name(0)", even tough in that thread i already post many replies it will always be 0
any idea how to help ? thankssss, you rock By Anindita
2nd Jun 2010 2:18
Very useful and tutorial dale, the simplest i could find. Thank you very much! By Ronaldas
7th Jun 2010 18:50
Hi, thank you for the mini message board tutorial, got it all working as it should i beleive. Could you please let me know where i can find information about adding an admin control panel tutorial, as well as a tutorial in deleting the posts in there. I have searched but i dont think i am using the correct wording?
12th Jun 2010 1:15
it works just fine but how to prevent from spammers?
13th Jun 2010 17:48
Great post, thanx for sharing
13th Jun 2010 17:49
thanks! that helped me understand few very important things in mysql
21st Jul 2010 19:07
I'm trying to open forum but sometimes there are no images on it :( By xXmikeFaBXx
30th Jul 2010 5:00
Thanx for this easy to follow working tutorial, it working great and I have intergrated it now with my php based management system that I am writing
4th Aug 2010 21:39
Assorted thanks. All works. By Stootomor
12th Aug 2010 18:58
Hey
That nice tutorial, Im begginer in PHP.
It's help me a lot to understand besic command and conceptions. :)
THX bro!
2nd Sep 2010 1:59
I have been working with this, and I have gotten everything to work, except the names won't show?
When I go to the database the reply names are in there, but the thread names are not. I have checked the code again and again and I don't see anything wrong.
And even though the reply names are in the database, they are not being retrieved.
my site is http://www.opencreativesuite.co.cc/ and the comment box is in an iframe at the bottom if you want to check it to see what I mean.
Some of my names are different from the ones in the tutorial, but this is my codes:
(I left the comments in for my own reference)
my main comments page:
<html>
<head>
<title>Comments</title>
</head>
<body bgcolor="#000000" text="#ffffff" link="#ff0000" alink="#ffffff" vlink="#6600ff">
<?php
mysql_connect("MY HOST NAME", "MY USER NAME", "MY PASSWORD");
mysql_select_db("MY DATABASE");
?>
<center><table bgcolor="000000"><tr><td><form action="postcomment.php" method="POST">
Name: <input type="text name="name"></input><br/>
Subject: <input type="text" name="subject"></input><br/>
<textarea cols="60" rows="5" name="message"></textarea><br/>
<input type="submit" value="Post"></input></form></td></tr></table></center>
<hr></hr>
<?php
// We are selecting everything from the threads section in the database and ordering them newest to oldest.
$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM threads ORDER BY posted DESC");
// Now we are getting our results and making them an array
while($r = mysql_fetch_array($sql)) {
// Everything within the two curly brackets can read from the database using $r[]
// We need to convert the UNIX Timestamp entered into the database for when a thread...
// ... is posted into a readable date, using date().
$posted = date("jS M Y h:i",$r[posted]);
// Now we will show the available threads
echo "<h3><a href='msg.php?id=$r[id]'>$r[subject]</a> ($r[replies])</h3><h4>Posted by $r[name] on $posted</h4>";
// End of Array
}
?>
</body>
</html>
postcomment.php:
<html>
<head>
<title>Post Comment</title>
</head>
<body bgcolor="#000000" text="#ffffff" link="#ff0000" alink="#ffffff">
<?php
mysql_connect("MY HOST NAME", "MY USER NAME", "MY PASSWORD");
mysql_select_db("MY DATABASE");
$time = time();
mysql_query("INSERT INTO threads VALUES(NULL,'$_POST[subject]','$_POST[message]','$_POST[name]','0','$time')");
echo "Thread Posted<br><a href='Comments.php'>Return</a>";
?>
</body>
</html>
msg.php:
<html>
<head>
<title>Message</title>
</head>
<body bgcolor="#000000" text="#ffffff" link="#ff0000" alink="#ffffff">
<a href="Comments.php"><b><u>BACK</u></b></a>
<?php
// Connecting to the database again
mysql_connect("MY HOST NAME", "MY USER NAME", "MY PASSWORD");
mysql_select_db("MY DATA BASE");
// This query selects the current thread using the $_GET value.
$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM threads WHERE id = '$_GET[id]'");
// Now we are getting our results and making them an array
while($r = mysql_fetch_array($sql)) {
// Here is the thread title.
echo "<h2>$r[subject]</h2>";
// Everything within the two curly brackets can read from the database using $r[]
// We need to convert the UNIX Timestamp entered into the database for when a thread...
// ... is posted into a readable date, using date().
$posted = date("jS M Y h:i",$r[posted]);
// Now this shows the thread with a horizontal rule after it.
echo "$r[message]<h4>Posted by $r[name] on $posted</h4><hr>";
// End of Array
}
echo "<h3>Replies...</h3>";
// Here we will get it to show the replies
// This query selects the replies from the database where the thread ID matches the thread $_GET value.
$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM replies WHERE thread = '$_GET[id]'");
// Now we are getting our results and making them an array
while($r = mysql_fetch_array($sql)) {
// Everything within the two curly brackets can read from the database using $r[]
// We need to convert the UNIX Timestamp entered into the database for when a thread...
// ... is posted into a readable date, using date().
$posted = date("jS M Y h:i",$r[posted]);
// Now this shows the thread with a horizontal rule after it.
echo "$r[message]<h4>Posted by $r[name] on $posted</h4><hr>";
// End of Array
}
?>
<form action="newreply.php" method="POST">
Name: <input type="text" name="name">
<input type="hidden" value="<?php echo $_GET[id]; ?>" name="thread"><br>
Reply:<br><textarea cols="60" rows="5" name="message"></textarea><br>
<input type="submit" value="Post Reply">
</form>
</body>
</html>
newreply.php:
<html>
<head>
<title>New Reply</title>
</head>
<body bgcolor="#000000" text="#ffffff" link="#ff0000" alink="#ffffff">
<?php
mysql_connect("MY HOST NAME", "MY USER NAME", "MY PASSWORD");
mysql_select_db("MY DATA BASE");
$time = time();
mysql_query("INSERT INTO replies VALUES(NULL,'$_POST[thread]','$_POST[message]','$_POST[name]','$time')");
mysql_query("UPDATE threads SET replies = replies + 1 WHERE id = '$_POST[thread]'");
echo "Reply Posted<br><a href='msg.php?id=$_POST[thread]'>Return</a>";
?>
</body>
</html>
any help would be greatly appreciated
thanks
2nd Sep 2010 2:39
well I was able to fix the reply part, I just deleted and recreated the tables in the database.
However the name of the comment poster for the thread still will not be recorded in my database. I figure it must be something wrong with either the form or my postcomment.php file, however they look fine!
I noticed in my form I was missing a " next to type="text
but even after I fixed that it still will not show up in my database.
This is so frustrating.....
