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Question

Advice for a beginner...

Aug 3, 2013 6:29PM PDT

I have developed an excel spreadsheet that provides analysis (including in charts and tables) across a number of sheets based upon a small amount of data the user enters in the first sheet. I want to run the spreadsheat enabling the user to enter the data and providing all the analysis but through the internet. I want to create a platform that is secure and can't be downloaded into an excel format, protecting all the formulas etc. I would like to include a forum and online payment.

I really want to develop this myself if possible but am not sure where to start. I have been looking at various options but am not sure if I should be using a database to set this up or if there is software that would make it easier. I'm prepared to put in a lot of time learning the likes of PHP and MySQL but don't want to spend a lot of hours on this if its not what I need to do this...

Any help gratefully appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I think you can better publish this as an app ...
Aug 3, 2013 8:15PM PDT

for iPhone, Android, Windows 8 and maybe Blackberry.

Kees

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Answer
2 ideas.
Aug 5, 2013 7:40AM PDT

1. don't want to spend a lot of hours on this if its not what I need to do this

I'm unsure what this means. That is a client wanted me to code a really big app but wanted it to be done by Friday and would only pay for half a day of coding. I side stepped that one by offering a list of companies that do outsourcing.

If you mean if you are choosing the right stuff to make that app, only you might know that answer. It's like an artist and their tools. Good friends.

2. Go get Visual Something Express (which ever one you like) and write the app. Put it up on your web site.
Bob

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Advice for a beginner...
Aug 5, 2013 2:07PM PDT

Thank you for your responses.

By "I don't want to spend a lot of hours on this if it's not what I need to do this" I just mean choosing the right way to make the application. I understand completely what you mean by your response to that!

While I think I will develop an app for the product I'm not sure an app is going to provide the scale of tool that I want initially... I want the web application to provide reports and tables for the user based on the information they input and the calculations I have loaded into the sytem and I'm not sure a phone app is the right platform for this...

Does that make sense?

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Small world.
Aug 6, 2013 2:08AM PDT

I have apps out there and among them are apps that are on the little screens. While it is a challenge to make it all fit, today I can almost always make it right.

As to the reports there are more solutions than Carter has pills.
Bob

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Small world
Aug 6, 2013 4:31PM PDT

Thanks very much for taking the time to respond to me Bob. I will investigate further!

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Answer
What you would need to learn is
Aug 8, 2013 12:13AM PDT
HTML/CSS - language to create designed pages the browser can interpret and render.
Responsive Design - a concept that takes mobile into account; it would ensure that a user on a desktop with a large monitor and a user on a phone/tablet can use your site. One stone, two birds.
PHP - language to process requests server-side.
MySQL - language to interface with MySQL database.
jQuery - language to dynamically create charts and graphs, and interface with PHP.

You most likely don't want to start this from scratch, so depending on what's more important, you have a few options. All these options can take care of authentication, caching, database interfacing, etc, which lets you focus on the problem at hand.

For the graphing part, there are a ton of jQuery plugins that will do what you need. Install the plugin, give it data points, and display it any way you want.

1. Content Management System

You could start with a content management system like WordPress or Drupal.

Pro: Managing content is a breeze and it's a bit easier to learn
Con: Set in their ways and you need to work within that.

2. Framework

You could start with a framework like Yii.

Pro: Build anything you want, any way you want (it makes little assumptions).
Con: Will require more building on your part and also steeper learning curve.

~Sovereign