What should I use?

[jalopyhead]

I will be building a site for a business which will have a lot of inventory to be able to be seen over the net. I really don't think html would be the best way to write up all of the inventory. Please advise as to how I should make the site.

jalopyhead

[NogDog]

A database along with a server-side scripting language that can query that database and output the selected data as [X]HTML.

[jalopyhead]

Thanks. What server-side scripting language would you use?

[Zipline]

I know NogDog likes PHP and that would be my personal choice especially for a beginner. If you're dealing with inventory you may wan't to look into some of the shopping cart systems that are pre-built and that will allow your to build a store like inventory system but will also let you turn off the cart features to keep people from trying to buy stuff (Unless this is what you want). They are usually easier to install and configure than trying to write a custom solution without advanced programming knowledge.

[coding2006]

there are numerous scripting language. There is ASP, JSP, & PHP. You should use that language that will be suppored by your web hosting package.

[JayM]

Download a copy of Zen Cart or OsCommerce shopping cart. All the work is done for you.

Available at http://www.zencart.com and http://www.oscommerce.com .

Cheers

[chrisranjana]

If you want to start learning a language or coding framework then try ruby on rails http://www.rubyonrails.com/

[NetNerd85]

I would not advise Ruby / Rails for a beginner.

[jalopyhead]

Thanks so much to everyone who posted. After looking at Agora, osCommerce and ZenCart I decided to go with osCommerce. It seems to be the most adaptable. I started with Agora, but went against it because you have to join the paid support to get anything but basic help. osCommerce forums are very helpful with third party "hacks" and "contributions". Thanks again.

Jalopyhead
http://jalopyhead.v33.org - Personal Site
http://ameagle35.com/osCommerce/catalog - Store

[NetNerd85]

Ah, I wouldn't have suggested that!

I've had a fair amount of experience with the OsCommerce software. It is alright for beginners who have no coding experience but if you are a PHP coder you will scream when you see how it is written.

Good luck either way :D

[jalopyhead]

Well, perhaps when I learn PHP I will scream. What would you use? (Of course we're talking about free stuff here.)

[NetNerd85]

lol, I'm developing my own software. Mainly for security reasons, to keep my mind at ease. Stick with OsCommerce for now if you aren't a programmer. You can customise it pretty well. It works well enough, just very out dated in some respects. Use it to earn some cash then perhaps buy something in the future.

[pcthug]

Seeing as your not to worried about the actual programming, I would try them all out over at OpenSourceCMS (http://www.opensourcecms.com) and probaly choose the one you feel most comfortable with. Also make sure it will fulfill your needs and has all the administrator features you need.

[J.B.]

You chose osCommerce -- it should work well for you. Ditto for the ruby on rails nod, though. Yes, it is not for the total noob or codaphobe, but the rewards of developing in this environment will pay off handsomely!

Good Luck!
J.B.
starchatter.blogspot.com (http://starchatter.blogspot.com)