Difference between Standard and PHP Article

[Maddog452]

  Dumb Question 

What is the difference between the standard article and a PHP Article and when would I use a PHP Article?

I have done a search but having the words PHP and Article in the string brings just short of a million responses>

Cheeers
Dog

PS - Be gentle!

[Ianedres]

With an standard article, you can format your content to appear as you want, add images, etc. and TP presents it as you want it to display to your site's visitors. A very basic method to allow you to make pages that pertains to your site by typing up text to present it through the portal.

The php article will allow you to add your own php code (see also block code snippets) that can dynamically interface with your site. This method is very versatile and powerful- you can extend your site with custom php code. I don't think there is any limitation to what you can do with this feature!

[Maddog452]

Thanks for the prompt reply. 

Your description have given me some ideas for some 'interactive' pages about memberships etc.

Thakns again

Dog

[Ianedres]

As a side note, I use PHP articles and Dreamweaver in conjunction to write some parts of my site.

I first create the php article, placing a one line script to include a php file on my server. Once I set up how TP is to present the article (right/left/center blocks, title, comments, etc), I can use Dreamweaver (with its features) to edit the script file.

Nevertheless, TP not only enhances your SMF message board, but it is flexible and provides this method to let you do what you want with the site. So once you get to using it, you'll wonder how you did without it.

[garry]

Could you post the code for a sinple example of a php page to show all the threads in a catagory

It would make it easier to get started using php if I had something to look at to see how it works

[Dragooon]

That won't be the simplest thing

Start looking the PHP Tutorials or the Block code snippets board to have a start

[IchBin]

Could you post the code for a sinple example of a php page to show all the threads in a catagory

It would make it easier to get started using php if I had something to look at to see how it works

You can see how that works by looking at the MessageIndex.template.php file in the default theme.

[garry]

Thank you

I will look at that



I looked at it and I can follow a lot of it but as of yet its way beyongd my comprehension


give me another 6 months  and I hope to understand it by then

thanks again

[SlashBlade]

Thanks... I needed that too.