Newbie: Wher to Start?

[johnnyshi]

I wanna build a web site, says like imdb.com, where people can browse and write reviews. I understand LAMP is normally used in this case, (am i right?). Php can interact with the Sql, and thus generate html on-the-fly, exactly how is this done with Apache, (Php file needs to be compile first, does Apache does it?). Also how is authentication done? (login,logout)

Thanks in advance for any help or direction.

[Compguy Pete]

What your looking for is called a CMS... or Content Management System. Most all CMS's that are worth anything will allow for people to comments to be on or off.

you should start by looking at the most common which is postnuke, phpnuke, joomla.

Or get real lazy and do a search for "IMDB Clone"

[skywalker2208]

There is also Drupal which is gaining popularity

[johnnyshi]

Okay, i guess i am still confused by the whole process.
Say a user's browser established a connection (HTTP:80) to the web site, then the Apache web server will fetch the php file and generate the html file, send it to the user? when or where does CMS come in play?

[Compguy Pete]

that is all part of the magic that happens on the server... if you properly install the software you shouldn't have to worry about that man behind the machine.

This is of course your if you using a webhost and not trying to run this on a home machine. If your trying a home machine your looking for more help than your going to find in this thread.

A note about drupal... I agree the later versions have made this software very friendly and I'm currently playing with it for a couple sites.

[ray326]

To add to what Pete said, the PHP file is part of the CMS. If the CMS is good, all you'll have to do is install it, customize it using its own set of tools and use it.