Creating a PHP-Based Content Management System

For six months in 2004, Intranet Journal's Peter Zeidman published a tutorial on using the PHP programming language to build a content management system (CMS).

Writing your own CMS can lead to a solution that is better suited to your requirements, better addresses the needs of your users, and is better understood by your development team. If you have the time and expertise to write your own in-house system, it may well prove the better option.

Part 1 of the series begins with a look at the overall plan for the CMS, and a look at PHP and the concept of object-oriented programming.

Part 2 takes a look at the basic PHP code that will power the CMS.

Part 3 examines the creation of the database and the database connector.

Part 4 explores validation, and the creation of a validator class and the creation of sections for the content that needs to be managed.

Part 5 introduces security to the content management system, and shows how to create a system that is accessible only to those with authorization to access it. It also takes a look at creating a log-in for users.

Part 6 discusses layouts for the content, templating systems, and talks about possible add-ons and features that can enhance your PHP-based content management system.
If you are using Peter's tutorial and have questions about problems you are having, take a look at the Intranet Journal Discussion Forum. Many readers have taken the time to post questions and troubleshoot, so your answer may already be there.

If you are developing Peter's system further, let us know, either in the forum or by contacting the Managing Editor. We're interested in applications and further development of the system.

Enjoy the series and good luck.