   [web] creating a forum with php and mysql
  Hi, i started creating a forum with php and mysql some time ago. I implemented a simple prototype and it worked well, but now I want to completely rewrite it and make it more robust.Does someone know any articles which could have some useful information on this? Because I have many questions, too many to ask in a forum. For example, I want to redesign the database tables, but I don't know what is the best way to do it. Previously, i had different tables for topics and replys, but now I want to use just one table for all the posts.If you could help me, i would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.   
  Look up database normilization.  This will give you the information on making a good database.theTroll   ;  Why do you want to create your own forum in php + sql when good forums already exist. Anyway, you could just download phpbb and study the source code   ;  I don't use a free forum because those who asked me to develop the site specifically required me to develop a forum specific to their needs. Phpbb is complex and flexible, but i don't need all of that. I tried to study the source code of phpbb, but i don't really like the way they organized the tables, and sometimes, i just get lost in the code. All i really want is a few hints to start creating my own forum. Phpbb is not the only forum that all of the Internet uses. Creating a forum is a common need, and I thought maybe there is some [free] documentation about creating a forum, although so far I couldn't find much.   ;  Creating a forum is a pretty big project.  You first of all would have to have a pretty good understanding of database design and operation.  Next you need to add all the PHP code to interface with the database.  The big part is going to be making sure there are no holes in the code, that is a big issue.  Anytime you expose your site to the public you need to make it pretty bulletproof, that is hard to do, there are lots of exploits that you might not know about.  If you can not figure out how to modify a current PHP based forum code set then writing one on your own might well be beyond you.  You might not want to hear that but is it not a simple project.theTroll   ;  Creating a forum is not a common need. Having a forum is. The vast majority of people (even big companies) use phpBB or vBulletin and simply develop a custom skin for it. I suggest you do that. Creating a skin is also lots of work and you can make it look exactly like your client wants.About database structure? What's so bad about how phpBB organised theirs? Threads & post are separate tables in pretty much any linear forum. It's easier and more natural. If you have a threaded forum (like slashdot) then a table with only posts could be more usefull.   