Need advice on database project

  • RonCarr

    (@roncarr)


    9 years, 8 months ago

    I am considering converting a significant Microsoft Access to a web implementation. The application I have is for a non-profit Veteran’s assistance organization, and I have been working on this since 2007. Needless to say, it is a pretty complex relational database: 74 tables, 85 forms, etc..
    I am an amateur WordPress developer, I have implemented two sites, but none with database.
    Site will be accessed only by volunteer caseworkers – not open to the public.
    Questions:
    1. Is it reasonable to use WordPress to implement this?
    2. Suggestions for best plugins to handle form generation and interface with MySql
    3. Suggestions for best report generator using MySql as source
    4. Suggestions for security: database contains personal info for vets serviced.

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
  • linux4me2

    (@linux4me2)

    9 years, 8 months ago

    WordPress is great, but I don’t think I would use it for your purpose. The main reason is WordPress’ popularity has made it a big target for hackers, and you’re storing private information, the sensitive nature of which goes well beyond what an e-commerce site would be keeping. You’d also need third-party plugins to accomplish your goals (for custom tables and forms) that would add even greater security risks for your data. WordPress is very full-featured, but all those features come with a security price. Take XMLRPC for example. You can certainly close most of the security holes, but why not start with a platform that doesn’t have them?

    I think I would go for a custom PHP/MySQL web application. It would be much less vulnerable to attack. There are plenty of developers out there that can set it up if you don’t want to take the leap yourself. You can use fpdf to generate the reports if you need something other than HTML reports. SSL is a must. User-level security is something the developer (or you) can build in. There are plenty of tutorials on the web for using PHP/PDO/MySQL, and exporting Access databases straight into MySQL with phpMyAdmin is doable.

    Thread Starter RonCarr

    (@roncarr)

    9 years, 8 months ago

    I have been browsing a lot, and have come up with the same conclusion. There seem to be a number of front-ends to MySQL out there, minimizing the necessity for PhP, which I do not know. However, there is indeed a learning curve no matter what. And I totally agree on SSL.
    Thanks for your thoughts!

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

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