Small database on site? Help!

I want a small database on my site, but I have no clue...

[60grit]

I have a listing of about 1,000 entries that I want to post on my website for some sort of a "showroom locator". If I wanted to make the small database easily browsable by area code, what's the best way to approach it?

For starters, what language can I work with to make it happen (mySQL, Java Applets, PHP, etc) or is there any easier way to do it? I'm using Dreamweaver MX to maintain my site.

I'd still classify myself as a novice webmaster, but this locator HAS to go up, one way or another. Any hints or help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

60Grit

[Ryan8720]

I would suggest PHP and MySQL. Do you have support for that?

[coopster]

I've done quite a few locators. You'll need a few things:

1. A starting page (html form) where the user can enter a request such as their area code
2. A server side process that is activated via the action attribute of your html form when the user presses submit
3. A file to retrieve your stored locator information.
4. Another page displaying the information you retrieved based on the user's request

You already have an html development tool in Dreamweaver MX. Now you need to know what is on your server, or what you can put on your server, as far as server-side processing goes. As Ryan8720 stated, PHP is a simple-to-use scripting language and MySQL is a powerful database. Both are available for UNIX and Windows implementations.

[skipfactor]

I'm using Dreamweaver MX to maintain my site.

That's the easiest way to get started.

If your on an Apache server, as stated, learn how to use PHP/MySQL in DW MX. On a Windows server, ASP & an Access database with MX is perhaps easiest to learn. Start with your DW help files--'dynamic pages'.