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+--- Forum: General Discussion (https://forums.formtools.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Thread: Is FormTools an appropriate solution here? (/showthread.php?tid=5116)
Is FormTools an appropriate solution here? - awilcox - Apr 14th, 2015
Hello,
I volunteer my help with AdoptABoxerRescue.com . Anyone wanting to adopt a dog must fill out a questionnaire with some 150 questions or so. See it at http://adoptaboxerrescue.net/onlineforms/application.htm
The form was created (not by me) with FrontPage years ago, and generates a CSV output that I pickup with my PHP script to load MySQL with the latest record. Once I have a valid record, it goes to a suite of scripts to manage the adopter-application through the vetting process.
Everything "works" now, but FP is ancient, and we keep getting hammered by people trying to break the system. I'd like to replace the FP questionnaire with a more robust front end.
Question: is FormTools a solution for me? Or is there some "questionnaire" code out there that would be quick fix?
Thanks, Alan
RE: Is FormTools an appropriate solution here? - alexh - Apr 16th, 2015
Alan,
I really think it depends on what you are doing with the information once submitted. In your case, you have an existing form which you can re-use and 'connect' it to FormTools. Once the data is received by FormTools, you can do all sorts of things.
I would check out the documentation in regards to views and filters, exporting, etc. to see if it's what you need.
What all do you want to be able to do with the data once you receive it?
Alex
RE: Is FormTools an appropriate solution here? - awilcox - Apr 16th, 2015
FormTools should replace the only FP questionnaire and generate a CSV + an alert so my existing PHP script can immediately put the latest record into my MySQL database, etc.
My hope is that making a new questionnaire will be straightforward and painless.
Alan
RE: Is FormTools an appropriate solution here? - alexh - Apr 17th, 2015
FT is really a form processor that stores the data in a MySQL database and allows users to view, update, and visualize the data. It sounds like you already have something that inputs your data into MySQL. You can certainly export the information, and you can set up email notifications but I think you might be making it more complicated by adding FT to the mix. I am wondering what your secondary php application does that FT can't do and if you can simplify it?
It's always worth downloading and playing with - the install is pretty easy.
RE: Is FormTools an appropriate solution here? - awilcox - Apr 17th, 2015
Thanks Alex.
My PHP/MySQL processing that follows the FrontPage input form has been running 24-7 for five or six years with only minor tweaks. Don't want to tamper with working code!
Only the FrontPage questionnaire needs replacement.
So, the answer is that FT is NOT a solution. (Anybody know what might be out there?)
Many thanks for the help.
Alan