Filter By Selection

How do I get started with online filtering

[keno]

I have created a site from an off the shelf ecommerce package. The site has a menu drill down structure to ~2500 static pages. The ecommerce package is extremely flexible for almost anything. I have a local database too.

I would like to find out how I would go about implementing a drop down style filtering structure. The end result would have 3 drop down boxes in the browser. In the first drop down I could choose "Manufacturer X". This puts "Manufacturer X" product categories into the second drop down, and from there I choose "Category Y". In the third drop down all the "Category Y" models numbers are displayed and I can choose "Model Z".

I often see these filter "queries" on Websites and wonder I would implement something like that. Any body know what skills and tools I would need (PHP,MYSQL)?

Any good books on this filtering method? Might there be an off-the-shelf script available?

Thanks!

[Corey Bryant]

Are you talking about something like www.udm4.com

-Corey

[keno]

Whoops!

I thought I would get an email if somebody replied to this. Sorry for not replying sooner. Must have forgotten to checkmark the email box….

No, www.udm4.com is not what I had in mind, but thanks for pointing it out as a resource.

The style I have in mind is where the menu has like an option tag, and you choose from an option list (drop down box).

Now picture 3 drop down boxes. Lets say the first drop down box has values like, Ford, Chrysler, GM, BMW. You choose Ford.

Because you chose Ford the second drop down box is automatically filled with values like Explorer, Focus, Mustang, Thunderbird. You choose Thunderbird.

Because you chose Thunderbird the third drop down box is populated with values like Hub Caps, Battery, Tires, Seat Covers, etc. that would fit a Ford Thunderbird, and you pick one, which takes you to a product page.

So, I’m now thinking that I have to send a filter query to a database on my site. Somehow server will return values for the next query. That’s where it all gets fuzzy for me.

IMPORTANT – If page size increases or performance decrease significantly using the above query structure, I may have to drop the idea. I say that because I have used a cascading style menu before, and 500 pages slowed it down quite a bit. I had to disable the menu and use a drill down style instead. (now I have 2000+ static pages)

At this point, I’m pretty certain I would need a PHP, MySQL implementation. Would that be the best way to go? Is there an off-the-shelf solution?

I looked at the code script site but nothing seemed to match my requirements, or even come close.

I have seen this book, PHP and MySQL Web Development, by Luke Welling. Maybe I should just get that for 20 bucks and see if it addresses the question….

Thanks - Keno

[Corey Bryant]

Well I know how to do it in JavaScript - I think what you are wanting is something similar to : javascriptkit.com/script/script2/triplecombo.shtml and then www.experts-exchange.com/Web/Web_Languages/JavaScript/Q_20448076.html

-Corey

[keno]

Thanks Corey,

That is exactly what I'm looking for. That will get me started.

-Keno.