By Hanscraft on

I'm building my first Drupal website and my boss wants a database that users can search and contribute content to. I've seen other posts mention using CCK + Views without explanation of how to make that work. It'd also be nice if I could be given a tutorial which shows how to make this searchable database somewhat attractive. I've been Googling for tutorials all week and have been unsuccessful.

Thank you!

Comments

ludo1960’s picture

ludo1960 commented

lol, do you want next weeks lottery numbers too?

Hanscraft’s picture

Hanscraft commented

:-( I wouldn't have thought it was this incredibly difficult to find a tutorial on how to build a database of this kind. But I'm really having no luck on finding assistance.

bwv’s picture

bwv commented

This is a very broad subject and the only way you can truly grasp its essence is to start learning how to build custom content types with CCK. In the most superficial sense, the appearance of the search form is managed largely through manipulation of your style sheets. The form itself is created with Views. The various fields that can be searched are actually CCK fields that represent various elements of your content (in my case, that would be composer, conductor, artist, era, etc.). Unless he/she is unaware that you have no drupal experience, I think your boss may have asked you to undertake a project that you are not quite ready for.

NOTE: You don't build the database per se. As you add content, the database compiles itself. The form you create with Views gives you the ability to search against the data in the DB.

Hanscraft’s picture

Hanscraft commented

My boss doesn't really know what she wants but gave me a set of criteria that needs to be met. After doing some research and word of mouth advice, I was told Drupal is the CMS that would be able to handle my boss' pie-in-the-sky dreams.

Thank you!

tdimg’s picture

tdimg commented

the only thing to add is that there are also other means of changing the appearance of the search form by altering your theme, though this is more complex and requires a better understanding of Drupal - just in case the OP thinks just altering it by using CSS wouldn't provide the flexibility/customisability needed.

To get a grasp of how that works, the Documentation here on Drupal.org is very good, and there's a developer module (devel) that also helps when it comes to customising your theme.