Php Simple Forum

[ipsauron]

Step 1: Setup your database
Im going to use MySQL for this tutorial.

First create a database. Im going to use one i call "Test_Forum".

Second we're gonna create the tables:

SQL: (for execution in PHPMyAdmin)

CODE

CREATE TABLE `topics` (
`id` INT( 11 ) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY ,
`title` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL ,
`post` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL ,
`author` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL ,
`mail` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL ,
`date` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL
) ENGINE = MYISAM;

CREATE TABLE `replies` (
`id` INT( 11 ) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY ,
`topic_id` INT( 11 ) NOT NULL ,
`post` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL ,
`author` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL ,
`mail` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL ,
`date` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL
) ENGINE = MYISAM;

Step 2: index.php
Now we're gonna make the index.php to show our topics.

CODE

<?php
$host = "localhost";
$user = "root";
$pass = "";
$db = "Test_Forum";

$con = mysql_connect($host,$user,$pass);
mysql_select_db($db,$con);

echo "<a href='create_topic.php'>New topic</a>";
echo "<table border='0' width='100%'>
<tr><td>#</td><td>Title</td><td>Replies</td><td>Post Date</td></tr>";

$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM topics ORDER BY id DESC");
while($row = mysql_fetch_array($sql)) {
$replies = mysql_num_rows(mysql_query("SELECT * FROM replies WHERE topic_id='".$row['id']."'"));

echo "<tr><td>".$row['id']."</td><td><a href='show_topic.php?id=".$row['id']."'>".htmlentities($row['title'])."</a></td><td>".$replies."</td><td>".date("j/n - y",$row['date'])."</td></tr>";
}

echo "</table>";
mysql_close($con);
?>

Explanation:
First we connect to the host and database using the functions mysql_connect() and mysql_select_db().
Then we make the link to create_topic.php.
Then we make the start of a table where we will inside of it save our info.
The $sql variable contains the mysql_query and SQL to use in our while loop.
Inside the while loop we got a $row variable with a function called mysql_fetch_array() which uses the $sql variable.
The $replies variable counts the number of rows inside the replies table using the functions mysql_num_rows().
Then we post the HTML with the $row array.
And lastly we close the connection to the MySQL host using mysql_close().

Step 3: create_topic.php

This is gonna exist of a form which leads us to add_topic.php.

CODE

<table>
<form action='add_topic.php' method='post'>
<tr><td>Name</td><td>:</td><td><input type='text' id='name' name='name' /></td></tr>
<tr><td>Email</td><td>:</td><td><input type='text' id='mail' name='mail' /></td></tr>
<tr><td>Title</td><td>:</td><td><input type='text' id='title' name='title' /></td></tr>
<tr><td valign='top'>Post</td><td valign='top'>:</td><td><textarea id='post' name='post' rows='7'></textarea></td></tr>
<tr><td> </td><td> </td><td><input type='submit' value='Post Topic' /> <input type='reset' value='Reset Fields' /></td></tr>
</form>
</table>

This form is self-explanatory.

Step 4: add_topic.php

CODE

<?php
if (!empty($_POST)) {
$host = "localhost";
$user = "root";
$pass = "";
$db = "Test_Forum";

$con = mysql_connect($host,$user,$pass);
mysql_select_db($db,$con);

if (mysql_query("INSERT INTO topics (title,post,author,mail,date) VALUES ('".$_POST['title']."','".$_POST['post']."','".$_POST['name']."','".$_POST['mail']."','".time()."')")) {
header("location:index.php");
} else {
echo "Error!";
}

mysql_close($con);
}
?>

First we connect to the host and database using the functions mysql_connect() and mysql_select_db().
Then we use mysql_query to insert the data into our table.
If its a succes it will return you to index.php.
If not... Well it will say Error...

Step 5: show_topic.php

CODE

<?php
if (isset($_GET['id'])){
$host = "localhost";
$user = "root";
$pass = "";
$db = "Test_Forum";

$con = mysql_connect($host,$user,$pass);
mysql_select_db($db,$con);

$id = $_GET['id'];

echo "<table border='0' width='100%'>";

$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM topics WHERE id='".$id."'");
while($row = mysql_fetch_array($sql)) {
echo "<tr><td>".htmlentities($row['title'])."</td></tr>
<tr><td>".str_replace("\n","<br />",htmlentities($row['post']))."</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href='mailto:".$row['mail']."'>".htmlentities($row['author'])."</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>".date("j/n - y",$row['date'])."</td></tr>";
}

echo "<tr><td> </td></tr>";

$sql2 = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM replies WHERE topic_id='".$id."' ORDER BY id ASC");
while($row2 = mysql_fetch_array($sql2)) {
echo "<tr><td>".str_replace("\n","<br />",htmlentities($row2['post']))."</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href='mailto:".$row2['mail']."'>".htmlentities($row2['author'])."</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>".date("j/n - y",$row2['date'])."</td></tr>";
}

echo "<tr><td> </td></tr>";

echo "<tr><td>
<table border='0' width='100%'>
<form action='add_reply.php' method='post'>
<input type='hidden' id='topic_id' name='topic_id' value='".$id."' />
<tr><td>Name</td><td>:</td><td><input type='text' id='name' name='name' /></td></tr>
<tr><td>Mail</td><td>:</td><td><input type='text' id='mail' name='mail' /></td></tr>
<tr><td valign='top'>Post</td><td>:</td><td><textarea id='post' name='post' rows='7'></textarea></td></tr>
<tr><td> </td><td> </td><td><input type='submit' value='Post Reply' /> <input type='reset' value='Reset Fields' /></td></tr>
</form>
</table>
</td></tr>";

echo "</table>";

mysql_close($con);
} else {
echo "invalid usage!";
}
?>

First we check if ID is set.
If it is we will connect to the host and database using the functions mysql_connect() and mysql_select_db().
And then we set the $id variable to $_GET['id'] from the address bar.
And then we set the $sql variable to contain the mysql_query and SQL to use in our while loop.
And then inside the while loop we got a $row variable with a function called mysql_fetch_array() which uses the $sql variable.
This is the Topic.
Then we make a seperation cell outside of the loop.
And then we set the $sql2 variable to contain the mysql_query and SQL to use in our while loop.
And then inside the while loop we got a $row2 variable with a function called mysql_fetch_array() which uses the $sql2 variable.
These are the replies if there are any.
Then we make the form to submit replies.
It leads to add_reply.php.
Then we close table and mysql connection.

Step 6: add_reply.php

CODE

<?php
if (!empty($_POST)) {
$host = "localhost";
$user = "root";
$pass = "";
$db = "Test_Forum";

$con = mysql_connect($host,$user,$pass);
mysql_select_db($db,$con);

if (mysql_query("INSERT INTO replies (topic_id,post,author,mail,date) VALUES ('".$_POST['topic_id']."','".$_POST['post']."','".$_POST['name']."','".$_POST['mail']."','".time()."')")) {
header("location:showtopic.php?id=".$_POST['topic_id']);
} else {
echo "Error!";
}

mysql_close($con);
} else {
echo "Invalid usage!";
}
?>

First we connect to the host and database using the functions mysql_connect() and mysql_select_db() if $_POST is not empty.
Then we use mysql_query to insert the data into our table.
If its a succes it will return you to the topic.
If not... Well it will say Error...

Step 7: Finish!

This concludes the simple forum tutorial.
Hope you find it useful.
I have not made any edit or delete because its a simple forum.

This has been tested on a PHP server and it works.

Online Demo

[soniasyril]

it's good but simple. you should add html tables with 2 columns.

[PSNcallofduty]

it's good but simple. you should add html tables with 2 columns.

There are tables used, he tends to use 'echo' to output his HTML instead of closing the php tag and putting the code and the starting the next php section. I must admit in some cases it looks better and is easier to edit and others its not. depends on your style, its always nice to stay consistent in your files though.