I am a newbie and because I have so much database development/design, I am having trouble with some functions I need. I have two questions:
1. How would I go about populating a Select List dynamically? The select list will be a table from available options that can change. Therefore I would like to query the database table for all the available options and use them for the select list.
2. Because of my database development experience, I keep trying to design the database. When designing my site, is it a good idea to think about my database tables design and create my pages from a good relational database design? For example: A Member can have a different Membership type each year. In good database design you would have a relationship between at least two tables so that your Membership table would not have the member record recorded each year resulting in duplicate membership person record for the same person for each year.
Comments
Life will be much simpler if
Life will be much simpler if you let the CMS handle the tables.
For example, you can use a vocabulary as the list of possible values and a term reference field in the entity (be it a content type, user object or other).
User will be controlling the list
A management user will be maintaining the list. I don't want it to be complicated for a non administrator. So, why do they have the Data Module & Webform Views Module if this was not the process to use? I am a very new to Drupal but have been a developer in different languages for many years. I think the biggest problem I am having is to decide which modules to use because you can take several approaches. How do I know which set of modules will give me the best performance if they all have the functionality I require? In my opinion, I will get better performance if my database tables are structured in a good relational design. UGH!
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I frequently see developers new to drupal making these kinds of mistakes. Resist the urge to manipulate the schema directly (at least until you learn drupal enough to know when and when not to do it)-- if thats what you want to do then you probably shouldn't be using a CMS in the first place.
What you describe is pretty much what taxonomy was created for but i've also used nodes and entityreference fields when I needed more control over the interface and permissions.
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Thanks!
Thanks, WorldFallz, I am reconsidering using Drupal and just go ahead with a custom design. My first thought was the next webmaster would find it easier to maintain if I used a CMS, I would maintain more consistency, and I would save a lot of time by using the CMS. I also wanted to add another development tool to my resume. But, now I think I will probably just go ahead and do it in .NET. I don't find Drupal intimidating at all but much of the application portion of the site just doesn't seem to be as clear on the best practices and I am very use to working with that. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.
Is there a module?
I can use the contributed modules for some of it but do you know if there are any modules that will allow me to let Management Users Input Menu Items in this dynamic select list via a page that they will understand? When I create content, I know what I am doing but I want certain members to input new selections and new members and the only way to do this is through administration. I need certain Non Drupal Users to maintain their database entities through a page that they understand. I also need to query via linking several tables together. I can turn on the SQL Statement but can I alter the Sql Statement directly?