Posted 7 months ago #
For my page, I need to get a number from a db.
I then need to place the number in the page.
I then need to update the db to add 1 to the db field, so the next time I retrieve a number from the db, it will be incremented.
Questions: how do I set up the db from which I can retrieve the number?
Once the db is set up, is there anything special about the php coding I will use?
Do I use a plugin for the php coding?
If so, which plugin?
this isn't really a WordPress question, it's a MySQL and PHP question.
you can setup a column in MySQL to increment when creating the table.
Perhaps if you explained the actual task it might be possible to do it within WordPress instead.
Posted 7 months ago #
I can do this in a non wordpress site. In fact, I could have wp open my present php page in a new window, but I prefer to have this all within wp.
Explanation: I have an online ticket for an association fund raiser. The first ticket each year begins with the number 1. When a user goes to my ticket page, she sees the number 1. The next user to go to the page sees the number two. On and on.
I'm looking for something very basic to get started. How do I create a table in the wp MySQL db? I know how to do this using MySQL (non-wp). I would just go into MySQL and create a new table. Then I would code the php into my php page.
Do I start by going into the wp MySQL db and making a new table there?
Perhaps you can consider using post_meta instead? Take a look at the following tutorial to see how it's used to keep track of page views.
http://wp.smashingmagazine.com/2011/09/30/how-to-create-a-wordpress-plugin/
Posted 7 months ago #
I took a look at that, and I'll come back to it.
When I read your post, it prompted me to search in a different way. I found an article that says:
"In 99% of the currently available WordPress plugins, there is absolutely no need for them to have a custom table – WordPress utilizes the ‘options’ table to help in most cases. However, what if your plugin requires it’s own “space” in the WordPress database?" (http://wptoy.com/tips-tricks/create-a-plugin-with-its-own-custom-database-table/)
Do you know how to access the options table? Or, perhaps that wouldn't fit with what I'm trying to do?
http://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/get_option
http://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/add_option
and similar functions for update and delete.
These functions are usually used to store plugin settings, but you could use them to store anything else.
It basically adds entries to the wp_options table.
Posted 7 months ago #
I'd like to give this a try first.
Sounds like I need to go into wp-includes/functions.php and put the following in:
<?php add_option( 'ticket_count', '1', '', 'yes' ); ?>
Although, since I am going to be calling the number with my php code, I may want "no" instead of "yes".
No, you should not edit core files or you'll lose the changes on the next update.
Create a plugin and add the option when the plugin is activated.
Posted 7 months ago #
Much to my surprise, I've found that within my wp page I can retrieve the information I need from my non-wp db that I've been using all along for my non-wp page (I'm changing my site to wp from my traditional XHTML coded site).
I'm using the plugin Exec-PHP for the PHP code and the MySQL code, and everything is working perfectly.
Is there any reason I shouldn't use my non-wp db? I do have a limit on the number of db's I can use, but I'm not near that limit.
Not that I can think of. If that works for you then it's fine, glad you got it sorted out :)
Posted 7 months ago #
Thank you. I'll go with that then, at least until I can learn more about using the wp db method you suggested.
Thank you for your help. One thing led to another after I started talking to you, and that finally led to a solution.
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