[Tanax]

Can someone write a forum tutorial??
I'd love to learn

[Haris]

Start building it and we'll help you in between.

[Tanax]

Haha, but I have no idea, or well, I might have some.. but I'm still not very good, so the code will be really bad =//

[Jim]

Make a planning:

What does a forum need?
- Users
- Subforum
- Topic
- Posts
- BB Code

If you know this you can think of how to write it.
- Start with users (login + register)
- Create subforum list
- Create topic list under the subforum page
- Create posts under topic

These are the basics thoughts behind a forum. It's more easy than you would think. :)

[Tanax]

Originally Posted by Jim

Make a planning:

What does a forum need?
- Users
- Subforum
- Topic
- Posts
- BB Code

If you know this you can think of how to write it.
- Start with users (login + register)
- Create subforum list
- Create topic list under the subforum page
- Create posts under topic

These are the basics thoughts behind a forum. It's more easy than you would think. :)

Yea, but then it doesn't end there.
For example; users..
You need to decide what features users should have, for example users online, user groups, user profiles, etc..

Also, the hardest thing I can think of, is the template system.
I would want a different template for each view.
For example, a template for the postbit, a template for the navbar, a template for the forum index, a template for the thread view, a template for the topic view.

And so on..
And that's difficult! xD

[Jim]

A template parser isn't that hard. Create the base of the forum first, then think about such stuff. You will spend quite some hours in the base already :)

[xenon]

One thing at a time, Tanax. Think and make the basic stuff first, and think about the addons after that. Don't think in advance unless you're absolutely obliged to. Example: start with the user system, as sugested. The most basic authentication scenario is this: user enters his username and password and he is allowed to post a topic. Otherwise, only show that topic, without allowing posting. Then, when you have the most basic system set-up, you will have plenty of time to add more features and options, whilst have a working system.

[Tanax]

Hm, alright, I'll have a go at it later then ;) But it's a quite complicated task, so it'll take alot of time :|

[Jim]

I have written quite some fora/forums (in dutch its fora, don't know about english o_O), you can always email/msn me for questions.

[Tanax]

Originally Posted by Jim

I have written quite some fora/forums (in dutch its fora, don't know about english o_O), you can always email/msn me for questions.

Why don't you write a tutorial?

It's called forum btw

[Jim]

I mean forum in plural. :P

Writing a tutorial about it would take quite some time, writing a forum is not a small thing. :)

[Haris]

Since, it's your personal project, ignore the 'quote a client' part.

Go and make the project plan.

Planning your project

It'll help a lot initially.

[Village Idiot]

Forums are awfully big things to make. I know this may sound like circular logic, but if you don't know how to start making one, you probably shouldn't be doing this.

Either way, here is a tutorial I found on google
http://www.phpeasystep.com/workshopview.php?id=12

[ReSpawN]

Starting off with don't even knowing how to start... (Nice sentence! I am like Houdini, but with words) That's NOT a good start. One simple question, have you ever made something complex like an advanced login system, something with GD library or or maybe a news system?

Simply an advice, start off with something simple like creating a database, a planing (like Village Idiot, the darkside man said) and then just work your way up from there.

Your scripts don't have to be 100% correct at the first attempt. I know I have rewritten my mySQL Class handle about 5 times. Most of my knowledge gained here is mainly the reason and maybe the problem for that.

[Village Idiot]

Here is what forums look like when people who arent ready to make one do it (yes, I am talking about me back in the day)
Your old code?

[sketchMedia]

if its your first forum or 'big' application, just build somthing small (a very very simple forum, doesnt have to have templates and stuff) just start off basic then build on it.
I think writing a full tutorial on how to create a forum would be a mammoth task, alot of people dont have the time :(.
Just remember : KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid), you cant expect to jump right in and code somthing with as much features as PHPBB etc, it just isnt possible.

[CMellor]

This tutorial might be a bit advanced for you, but it's very detailed, you could at least check it out.

[Tanax]

Originally Posted by CMellor

This tutorial might be a bit advanced for you, but it's very detailed, you could at least check it out.

Already checked it out, and it's too simple xD I mean, the forum :P
But I might just start off with that and build on top of that..

Anyways, I belive that doing a plan might be a really good thing.

Thanks for all the advices!