Re: Mega Important Question - I am counting on some help here!

> 1. I found FAQ.php in the files that were sent to me that are meant to act
> as backup files. I opened it up in Frontpage and it certainly looks like I
> can simply type in the changes, resave it, and upload it. Is this the
> case? Can I simply edit this as if it were an htm or html file, save it,
> and then simply FTP it to the server? Or is this like CGI in that it must
> be uploaded using ASCII with specific settings so as to allow everyone to
> view it?

A ,php file is similar to a .html file, you can edit it and ftp it to the server. HOWEVER - Frontpage has a nasty habit (this is why I don't use it, even thought it's faster) of adding extra code to your webpages. If you edit a .php file in Frontpage, it may add the frontpage extensions to your code and mess the whole thing up!

I haven't tried editing a php file in Frontpage, but I'd rather not take the risk...get my drift?

Here's something you can try - open the php file in notepad.
then open the php file in Frontpage.
Save and rename both of them with a different name.
Open them back up, and compare the Frontpage file with the Notepad file. See if FP added any extra code.

I always use Notepad when working with any scripts. It is stable, and won't corrupt your source code. BUT, Motepad has a habit of trying to save your .php files with a .txt extension. So, before you save the file, be sure you change the filetype "save as" to a .php extension.

> 2. Is there anything else I might need to know about php before I go into
> Webmastering this site? I have messed up many a site in the past by going
> in and mucking around without really knowing what I was doing. Don't wanna
> do that again!

I'm just learning php myself. I bought a good reference book and have been testing out .php scripts. I'm currently working on a .php header, footer, and left menu sidebar that is dynamic. Which means that I can make a website template, where the surrounding content (header, footer, left menu) are the same, and just add content in the main table area.

This is beneficial because if later on, you want to add some links to your menu, you can make the changes in your .php menu file and it will apply the changes throughout all the pages in your website without you having to manually go in and edit each one.

I would advise getting a good php book. You know the value of having a good reference book at hand.

Congratulations on getting your BS degree. are you going for your Piled Higher and Deeper (Phd) degree?