In my last article, I described several of Soop Phoenix’s tools for getting data out of the database. In this article, I will show how to save data into the database.

To recap the previous article, all database access passes through Soop Phoenix’s Data Access Layer (DAL). The DAL is the bridge between your code and the site’s database. It is a powerful bridge. So how do we use it?

First, in all cases, you start by using the right class. The DAL is called ....

So you’ve read my previous articles and know how to write a mod, a page, and even install that mod or page. Now you need to know how to use the database the Soop way!

All database access passes through Soop Phoenix’s Data Access Layer (DAL). The DAL is the bridge between your code and the site’s database. It is a powerful bridge. So how do we use it?

First, in all cases, you start by using the right class. The DAL is called via cor.dal.*, where the * is ....

Continuing my series of articles for Soop developers.. This article will describe how to build a Page for Soop.

First, what is the difference between a Mod and a Page? A mod is designed to be displayed as part of a page, in one of the columns. Here on SoopPortal, the Top 10 Recent Posts is a Mod. It’s shown on all pages, not just a page of it’s own. A Page is it’s own URL and may (or may not) display Mods on it’s page.

First, ....

The database includes a config table used to store configuration parameters for various aspects of the site. This article takes a look at the most common parameters used in that table and how developers can tap into those parameters for their own projects. Custom CSS styling. Config table can be used to store links to custom CSS sheets specific to your page or mod. Custom JS scripts. These can be jQuery plugins or custom JS code loaded by ....

Soop Phoenix includes a database update utility. This utility is your one-stop shop for applying system updates that impact the database or to install new Pages or Mods that require DB changes.

To see the utility, log in as an admin user, then navigate to db_update.asp (this page is not in the menus since it will not be used on a regular basis). The page requires Admin group membership. When the page opens, it displays your current database type, or it’s best ....

In my previous articles, I showed you how to write a mod and how to use parameters in your mod. In this article, I will explain how to package your mod and deploy it on new Soop Phoenix sites.

There is an automated tool to handle many of the details, but first we have to explain what goes where. Your core file needs to be named module_<mod name>, so in our first example the module was named NewMod, so the filename needs to be module_newmod.asp (remember, IIS is ....

In the previous article, I described the template code to make a new Mod. In this article, I will show you how to expand on that by accepting, verifying, and using parameters.

One of the variables that every Mod function takes is the Module_Parameters value. We can do quite a bit with this value, if needed. If you look at a Soop Site’s Modules Mgmt, you will see Mods that take parameters (MoodyTabs and SmallCalendar are great examples). These values are ....

This is a quick and dirty how-to guide to show you the right way to develop a Mod for Soop Phoenix. We will show you the necessary code that needs to be inside your .asp files, as well as some handy tricks for you to use.

First, there are Mods and then there are Pages. This guide is to walk you through creating Mods. Mods are those modules that live or die inside the /mods/ folder of a Soop site. They are designed to appear in specific column(s) of a Soop site. A Page is ....

Introducing Soop Portal, the free open-source web community software

SoopPortal.org community member OldTimer once said... "Virtual communities allow us to associate ourselves with those who have a similar mindset, and common interests...but as we are all just that slightly different...we become engaged in one large friendship-alliance-community where paradoxically our differences actually enhance the community via our differing points of view which ....

Soop Portal is *Free* software which allows you to build virtual web communities that are empowered by diversity, communication, and interaction. Soop Portal’s vision is to facilitate the creation of such online virtual web communities. Soop Portal is "Open Source Software." Users can read and modify the Soop source code helping it to evolve, mature, and become even more dynamic. Users improve Soop, users adapt Soop, and users extend ....

By it’s simplest definition, virtual community software -- such as Soop Portal -- allows human beings to connect with each other.But if we look a little deeper we may well find that virtual community software has many different functions, and benefits, for our planet; virtual community software can function in many varied and meaningful ways. However, before we examine this functionality, perhaps it is appropriate to explore the definition ....

Featured Soop Websites: MadMums Parenting Portal is an on-line community for parents of all ages, offers advice on all aspects of parenting and pregnancy. Features include Members Photo Galleries, Pregnancy Calculator, Baby Names Database with over 28,000 search-able names with meaning, and origins, friendly chat roomsand notforgettingwe are home to the Madmums Cartoon by the upcoming Scottish illustrator Lynie Taylor. Membership is free and all are welcome.

Soop ....