Building a Content Management System

I have not purchased this extension yet but was wondering if this would meet my needs. As a web designer I would like to be able to create my own CMS so that I can allow my customers to update their own web sites. I have used Joomla up to now but would like to be able to offer my own CMS as part of a web design package.

Would this extension, along with others such as DataAssist 2, Cookies Toolkit 3 etc, allow me to create a full-blown CMS? I know that their is a WA Solution in Power CMS but I would like to have a lot more control over what is part of the CMS, ie. by being able to create my own customisations.

Yes, using SecurityAssist, DataAssist, iRite and other WebAssist extensions, you could crate your own CMS System. The PowerCMS Solution Pack was created using these tools.


We do not have any tutorials that explain how to put a CMS System together, it is a somewhat complex project. You may benefit from purchasing the PowerCMS Solution Pack to see how it has been put together. If you are familiar with Database design and PHP, it should not be too dificult to examine the PowerCMS Solution and see what is going on under the hood.

I am getting on well with this now. Is it possible to specify where to insert a record? I say this because I have used DataAssist to create Insert, Delete etc. but rather than just putting a lot of content into 1 table I would like to be able to insert content into new pages, like a CMS and then have them show in the navigation menu.

As an example:

- New record insert becomes page1.htm

This is more a function of how the data is stored in the database. for example, if you examine the power cms solution, there is column in the database to specify the page, content area and content for each record in the database.

These columns are used to pull the data back out and display them in the proper places.

Originally Said By: Jason Byrnes

  This is more a function of how the data is stored in the database. for example, if you examine the power cms solution, there is column in the database to specify the page, content area and content for each record in the database.

These columns are used to pull the data back out and display them in the proper places.  

How do I do that in DA?

Jason. Can you reply please.

on your page where you wish to output the content you create a recordset to return the content for that page.


you can filter the recordset using the page column. When you store the content in the database, the page column is used to determine what page the content will be displayed on.


say you have content for the home.php page. In the page column you should have entered "home".

To output the home page content, create a recordset on home.php:
SELECT * FROM tblContent WHERE page = "home"

this will return all of the contnet areas for the home page, you can then use the recordset bindings to place the content where you wish,

Again, if you examine how the PowerCMS solution pack works, you can get a good idea of how to create your own CMS solution.

Originally Said By: Jason Byrnes

  on your page where you wish to output the content you create a recordset to return the content for that page.


you can filter the recordset using the page column. When you store the content in the database, the page column is used to determine what page the content will be displayed on.


say you have content for the home.php page. In the page column you should have entered "home".

To output the home page content, create a recordset on home.php:
SELECT * FROM tblContent WHERE page = "home"

this will return all of the contnet areas for the home page, you can then use the recordset bindings to place the content where you wish,

Again, if you examine how the PowerCMS solution pack works, you can get a good idea of how to create your own CMS solution.  

Thanks Jason. My database, albeit a rather simplistic one at the moment, is as so at the moment:

CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `content` (
`id` int(11) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
`title` varchar(100) NOT NULL,
`content` mediumtext NOT NULL,
PRIMARY KEY (`id`)
)

What sequel do I have to add for the Page column? Would it be `page` varchar(100) NOT NULL, ???

If the PowerCMS had the option to save content to whatever page you like I would buy it and see how it works. The fact that it doesn't means that at $99 it's not a great investment unless I was also to actually use it on a web site for myself or a customer. Maybe if it came up as a special offer I would buy it.

rather than using SQL commands to manage your database, it would be easier to use a GUI application such as Sequal Pro for the mac of SQLYog


PowerCMS DOES have the option to save content to what ever page you like.

Just like I was describing earlier, when you create content, you specify the Page, and region the content is for.

Once you have created the content, PowerCMS generates the php code needed to display the content in the desired page, you just need to copy the code, and past it it your page where the content should be displayed.

Originally Said By: Jason Byrnes

  rather than using SQL commands to manage your database, it would be easier to use a GUI application such as Sequal Pro for the mac of SQLYog


PowerCMS DOES have the option to save content to what ever page you like.

Just like I was describing earlier, when you create content, you specify the Page, and region the content is for.

Once you have created the content, PowerCMS generates the php code needed to display the content in the desired page, you just need to copy the code, and past it it your page where the content should be displayed.  

I know that PowerCMS can save to whatever page you like. It's just that, as far as I see, it cannot create a NEW page, only insert content in an existing page. Right?

Jason I don't think you are following me. I am not using PowerCMS, I want to create my own CMS using the WA library that I have already paid good money for. I need to develop a customised solution for my own customers. From what I see PowerCMS is good but not enough for me. I can understand that you don't want to give away the entire code for PowerCMS as you want people to buy it. Fair enough, so if you can help me out even by sending me a PM or email that's OK. I am just wanting some help with the actual SQL code that shows where to insert the content in which page. Thanks.

I am quite happy working away in PHPMyAdmin at the moment. Buying MORE tools at this stage is not an option - profits are low enough but I'll bare it in mind.