Unsure of What Programming Languages I Need

Good Morning!

While I realize I’m not a genius when it comes to coding, my main issue is figuring out precisely what coding languages I will need to undertake the vision I have in my head.

Basically, I wish to create a PHP forum for gaming that has an exceptionally high level of interactivity. One of these levels is that members of the forum will be able to add to a large wiki and create their own worlds/races/cultures.

I was researching the $myfile function in PHP and was wondering if this would assist in this manner.

In order to join, you would fill out a form.
When you fill in certain required information on the form, I’d like there to be an option to “Create Your Own.” For instance.

What Race Are You? [Select from Drop Down Box: Angel, Demon, Werewolf, Centaur, Elf, Dwarf, etc.] or [Click button to Create Your Own!]

Without leaving the page[AJAX?], I’d like another smaller form to populate beneath the original question: “What Race Are You?” asking specific questions regarding their original/unique race.

What do you call your race?
What physical features define your race?
What land does your race dwell in?
Where is your race originally from?
What language does your race speak?
Please upload a picture of your unique race: [Upload] [Submit]

Upon answering these questions, I’d like it to create a page in my wiki/on my website that displays the information they filled out in a structured way (to fit in with the overall theme of the site). Once they are finished with the race creation, they can move onto the next question in the character registration.

“What is your character’s name?” etc etc.

Would this be PHP or AJAX or some other language?

Thank you!

Rather than look at programming languages, you should look at applications to use as a base.

You asked on PHPHelp, though, so I would say, PHP.

PHP and AJAX work together - So you can use both on the same project.

Thank you!

Build your project using PHP to a fully working version. (including all forms)
Then go back through the project adding the ajax calls. This way, users without javascript can still access a working site.

Red :slight_smile:

Sunflower, creating your own full featured forum from scratch is a hard project.
Security, log in and user systems, tracking, logging of user actions and hundreds of other things
to track and program. A huge project.

Now with that said, there are many free PHP forum systems out there. One that I have played with is
Simple-Machines-Forum. (SMF) It has an easy setup once you have a server set up and MySQL in place.
It is simple to customize and is written in PHP, so you can alter it if needed. You might want to peek at
it…
http://www.simplemachines.org/

It also is free for the basic system and I have set up two forums with it… Hmmm, I think I found it HERE
as I think this site uses it. Hope this helps…

Regarding supporting users without javascript.

You should consider the time spent on creating a hacky php/jquery/ajax mess in order to support the 1% who have javascript turned off. I would strongly suggest trying to make something simpler, like a todo app, with a couple of different approaches. With a front end built in a JS framework like AngularJS you will probably get a much richer application that is more structured and with a clear divide between server side and client side. Having these separated (and using a framework like Angular) enable you to write much better unit and end to end tests.

Btw most users who have disabled JS (myself included) have it off for a reason, and will turn it on for your service if they want to use it.

You guys are the best! I have heard excellent things about SimpleMachings.org and its flexibility, so I truly appreciate the advice.

I’m aware that the task will be daunting (and will most likely hire a developer to assist me with it), though I’d like to still attempt the project. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Not going to lie, wasn’t able to understand JimL at all, but that’s probably because I’m still very new to Php.

Again, thank you!

will most likely hire a developer to assist me with it

I can be available if you reach this point.

SunFlower,
JimL was mostly explaining that Javascript is okay, as most people use it. In some businesses they block
it’s use to protect their computers. He also was talking about other items which may be above your current
level.
As far as SMF goes, this site you are on uses it. I have installed it twice and it was very easy. You just
have to have a server, PHP installed and MySQL installed. Most of that is easy and ready on any hosting
company. Or, you can download and install WAMPserver or ther system to run on your computer.
Once you have a server with PHP and MySQL, download the free version of SMF and follow the setup
instructions. They are very easy to do. I have changed the backgrounds on one of them and added in
animation to beef it up. All worked very well. But, I do think you will have questions. The SMF blog is a
bit limited but I am sure we can help or use your friend Google. And keep Kevin’s link around if you want
to hire someone. good luck…

Why not use a game engine that will output the game to a format usable by the web? GameMaker games can be played on websites. The games are generally simple and not much for graphics. A better example is UNITY 3D. It is a much more powerful program that allows you to create 3D games and will allow you to even export the game to XBOX and PlayStation format. This way you would be able to concentrate on the creation of the game instead of trying to fix leaky account control and weird things happening with the coding. I have coded within SecondLife, GamMaker, and Unity. I think Unity is up your ally. Hope you find what you need.

Mikey, if that is what he was doing I would also suggest Unity3D. I love it.

But, he said he wants to make a FORUM for gamers not a GAME. So, you are a bit off topic, I think.

BTW, The original GameMaker was just for the PC, I think DOS and Early Windows. I have a copy in my
pile of older software. It was fun, interesting and I assisted in helping them design it with one part of it.
I have not looked at the new versions, but, thanks for mentioning it as I will look it up.

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