Reading CSV or TXT files and displaying as part of an HTML document

[xtiano77]

I am trying to write an HTML page for my office and I would like to include a script that reads either a CSV or TXT file and displays the information based on what is typed inside a text box. Can anyone help me with that or at least point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance for your help.

[chrishirst]

can be done with HTML

It needs server side includes or scripting.

[adamjv90]

You would need to use php or another server side language for this a great tutorial for reading and writing text files can be found here http://www.apitalk.com/document.php?id=1184208074_5

[aprildawn]

Hi Xtiano. So let me get the flow right. You want the user to get info stored in text or cvs files ,and you want the info presentation to be dependent on the commands put into a text box? It sounds like you'll need a PHP query of a mysql database containing these files, along with regular expressions ? ( "regular expressions "are almost a language unto themselves , what these expressions though do is return specific strings .
good luck xtiano and keep us posted on your efforts.

[xtiano77]

Well, you guys were right. I did need PHP and I am working on learning it right now. I trying to write a few web pages with some somewhat complex features in order to get used to the syntax before I start trying MySQL. I must say that learning JavaScript did help me with PHP. It seems relatively easy and straight forward. Based on what I have read so far I really don't see why some people speak of PHP as an inferior language simply because it is open source. I think it is powerful enough to do just about anything I could want. Hell, this site was done with PHP! Anyway, I do appreciate your help and suggestions. I will try to stay current in this forum so I can share what I learn. Thanks again! Cheers!