I recently got a mail asking about MYSql database Engine. So i planned to put an article on it.

Let’s put it in a simple way . Say for example your automobile runs on LPG, Petrol and Diesel and it would be pretty interesting if you can switch to different engines just by a button shift, isnt it. A MySQL database does the same it gives you a choice of database engines and an easy way to switch them.

Default MySQL Engine would be enough for most of your application but in certain circumstances where the other available engines may be better suited to the task at hand.

Choose your Engine

The number of database engine present in MySQL depends on the way you installed it. To add new engine MySQL should be recompiled. By default MySQL supports three database engines: ISAM, MyISAM, and HEAP. Two other types, InnoDB and Berkley (BDB), are often available as well.

ISAM

ISAM is a well-defined, time-tested method of managing data tables, designed with the idea that a database will be queried far more often than it will be updated. As a result, ISAM performs very fast read operations and is very easy on memory and storage resources. The two main downsides of ISAM are that it doesn’t support transactions and isn’t fault-tolerant: If your hard drive crashes, the data files will not be recoverable. If you’re using ISAM in a mission-critical application, you’ll want to have a provision for constantly backing up all your live data, something MySQL supports through its capable replication features.

MyISAM

MyISAM is MySQL’s extended ISAM format and default database engine. In addition to providing a number of indexing and field management functions not available in ISAM, MyISAM uses a table-locking mechanism to optimize multiple simultaneous reads and writes. The trade-off is that you need to run the OPTIMIZE TABLE command from time to time to recover space wasted by the update algorithms. MyISAM also has a few useful extensions such as the MyISAMChk utility to repair database files and the MyISAMPack utility for recovering wasted space.

MyISAM, with its emphasis on speedy read operations, is probably the major reason MySQL is so popular for Web development, where the vast majority of the data operations you’ll be carrying out are read operations. As a result, most hosting and Internet Presence Provider (IPP) companies will allow the use of only the MyISAM format.

HEAP

HEAP allows for temporary tables that reside only in memory. Residing in memory makes HEAP faster than ISAM or MyISAM, but the data it manages is volatile and will be lost if it’s not saved prior to shutdown. HEAP also doesn’t waste as much space when rows are deleted. HEAP tables are very useful in situations where you might use a nested SELECT statement to select and manipulate data. Just remember to destroy the table after you’re done with it. Let me repeat that: Don’t forget to destroy the table after you’re done with it.

Refference : http://www.techrepublic.com – Thank You Tech Republic for your awesome article.

Generating PDF reports with your application would be a heavy task. I had googled but couldn’t find a good document that explains the same.

However i successfully integrated FPDF with my php application. I would share step-by-step info on how to do it.

I hope you would know the basics on CodeIgniter. Download a copy of CI from its official site.

Step 01 : Download FPDF Fonts from here. Extract the – fpdf_fonts – folder to root folder of your CI project.

Step 02 : Download fpdf library from here. Extract – fpdf – folder into system\application\libraries\

Step 03 : Create a file named init_fpdf.php under system\application\libraries\

init_fpdf.php

<?php  if (!defined('BASEPATH')) exit('No direct script access allowed');
if ( ! class_exists('fpdf')){
 require_once(BASEPATH.'libraries/fpdf'.EXT);
}

$obj =& get_instance();
$obj->fpdf = new fpdf();
$obj->ci_is_loaded[] = 'fpdf';
?>

You are done with the configuration. Now into Controller.

Step 03 : The code within your controller would be. Say for Example the controller function name is PDF.

function PDF()
{
 $this->load->helper('path');

 $font_directory = './fpdf_fonts/';
 set_realpath($font_directory);

 $this->load->library('fpdf');
 define('FPDF_FONTPATH',$font_directory);
 $this->fpdf->Open();
 $this->fpdf->AddPage();
 $this->fpdf->SetFont('Arial','',8);
 $this->fpdf->Cell(80);
 $this->fpdf->Cell(0,0,'Hello FPDF',0,1,'R');
 $this->fpdf->Output();
}

This would output a PDF for you ! You are done !

If you need to save the PDF file into a folder and get its filename you would need to add some more code.

Drop me a comment it you need that functionality also, would explain it to you.

]]> http://www.achari.in/creating-pdf-with-codeigniter-using-fpdf-library/feed 3 http://www.achari.in/reviewing-hosting-observer http://www.achari.in/reviewing-hosting-observer#comments Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:04:53 +0000 zoe http://www.achari.in/?p=662

Hosting Observer is a hosting directory which lists cheap web hosting plans from reliable web hosting services, along with providing information on web hosting and related issues such as how to obtain free domain names.

The site ranks the top five providers of cheap web hosting plans based on the editor’s rating of their services, and that rating is based on user reviews as well as from the editor’s own contact with the hosting companies. Each company is rated from one to ten stars for each of the following categories:

Reliability
Knowledge level of support staff
Response time of support staff
Control Panel Interface

These ratings of the individual aspects of the hosting companies are then averaged for an overall rating. While the overall percentage rating is listed on the main page of the site along with the price per month of the cheap web hosting plans it provides and their features, a link after each rating takes the site visitor to a detailed review of each of the hosting companies in the top five.

Hosting Observer enables site visitors to quickly compare five of the top offers for cheap web hosting plans, as well as to verify whether each one offers desired features such as free domain names. Along with the detailed reviews from the expert editor and users, the site offers unbiased articles and other information about hosting in general. While each review is upbeat, as befits the quality hosts which are listed on Hosting Observer, it does point out any flaws or cons in each firm’s range of services. In addition, the star ratings are fair and unbiased, and assist consumers who can then choose their hosting company based on what they consider important.

For instance, the reviews point out that the top-ranked performer does not offer plans other than Linux, while praising it for its speed and service. In addition, since each offer of web hosting plans is listed in full detail on the homepage, it helps customers who may be looking for a particular feature, such as free advertising credits, choose their hosting plans based on that offer rather than on more general criteria.

Like the reviews, the short articles that are presented on Hosting Observer are objective, easy to read, and offer real information on hosting related topics. These articles are full of information and presented in an enjoyable, yet authoritative, style.

Hello Friends ,

You may have seen encrypted javascript codes on many pages. Have you wondered how source code can be encoded and decoded ?

It pretty simple to encode using String.fromCharCode.

I have written an Javascript Encoding Engine [ i have named it as Javascript Source Encoder - JSE in short ] so that it would be helpful for you.

You just need to copy paste your javascript code into the textarea provided click on encode button.

You are done !

Your Feedback’s are welcomed !

Hello friends , I have stated using codeigniter framework for php. I would recommended codeigniter for all PHP developers.
Recently i had a task to generate PDF file in my codeigniter project ,there are many libraries like FPDF, Panda, DOM-pdf, R&OS to generate PDF documents with PHP.

I found a method to integrate R&OS pdf class file with codeigniter. I am sharing you the same.

Step 1

Download latest version of Codeigniter framework.

Step 2

Download the class files for pdf integration from here. The rar folder contains 2 folders.

1. library class files

2. fonts

Extract files under class files folder to application/libraries/

Extract fonts directory to root folder of your CI application.

Step 3

Now into final stage . Create a controller named home.php and paste the following code.

<?php if ( ! defined('BASEPATH')) exit('No direct script access allowed');

class Home extends CI_Controller {

 function __construct()
 {
 parent::__construct();
 }

 function index()
 {
 $this->hello_world();
 }

 function hello_world()
 {
 $this->load->library('cezpdf');

 $this->cezpdf->ezText('Hello World', 12, array('justification' => 'center'));
 $this->cezpdf->ezSetDy(-10);

 $content = 'The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
 Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, vex nymphs.';

 $this->cezpdf->ezText($content, 10);

 $this->cezpdf->ezStream();
 }

 function tables()
 {
 $this->load->library('cezpdf');

 $db_data[] = array('name' => 'Jon Doe', 'phone' => '111-222-3333', 'email' => 'jdoe@someplace.com');
 $db_data[] = array('name' => 'Jane Doe', 'phone' => '222-333-4444', 'email' => 'jane.doe@something.com');
 $db_data[] = array('name' => 'Jon Smith', 'phone' => '333-444-5555', 'email' => 'jsmith@someplacepsecial.com');

 $col_names = array(
 'name' => 'Name',
 'phone' => 'Phone Number',
 'email' => 'E-mail Address'
 );

 $this->cezpdf->ezTable($db_data, $col_names, 'Contact List', array('width'=>550));
 $this->cezpdf->ezStream();
 }

}

/* End of file welcome.php */
/* Location: ./application/controllers/home.php */

You are done .

Execute the code :

http://localhost/pdf/index.php/home/index – for basic pdf creation.

http://localhost/pdf/index.php/home/tables – for table creation.

Note: In Order to write the output as a .pdf file just change $this->cezpdf->ezStream(); to $this->cezpdf->ezOutput();

Complete Code :

create a folder named pdf in root directory of codeigniter project and replace the tables function in the above controller
[ home.php ] with the following.

function tables()
{
$this->load->helper('path');
$this->load->library('cezpdf');

$this->cezpdf->ezText('Hello World', 12, array('justification' => 'center'));
$this->cezpdf->ezSetDy(-10);

$db_data[] = array('name' => 'Jon Doe', 'phone' => '111-222-3333', 'email' => 'jdoe@someplace.com');
$db_data[] = array('name' => 'Jane Doe', 'phone' => '222-333-4444', 'email' => 'jane.doe@something.com');
$db_data[] = array('name' => 'Jon Smith', 'phone' => '333-444-5555', 'email' => 'jsmith@someplacepsecial.com');

$col_names = array(
 'name' => 'Name',
 'phone' => 'Phone Number',
 'email' => 'E-mail Address'
);

$this->cezpdf->ezTable($db_data, $col_names, 'Contact List', array('width'=>550));

$directory = './pdf/';
set_realpath($directory);

$file = $directory.date('d-m-Y h:i:s').'.pdf';

$pdfcode = $this->cezpdf->ezOutput();
$fp = fopen($file,'wb');
fwrite($fp,$pdfcode);
fclose($fp);
}

You are done !

Hai All ,

I implemented image protection in one of my latest work. Its pretty simple and effective so i am sharing with you.

Check out the demo and try the following :-

1. Try dragging the image to the Navigation Bar.

2. Right Click and Try viewing the image.

3. Take the source and click on the src of img tag.

Step 1 : Create a page named index.php

<?php
$page = $_REQUEST['p'];
if($page == 'sImage')  {  include('image.php'); }
else { echo '<img src="index.php?p=sImage" />'; }
?>

Step 2 : Create a page named image.php

<?php
 $imageName = "logo.jpg";
 $img1 = imagecreatefromjpeg($imageName);
 $img2 = imagejpeg( $img1 );
?>

Note : You can save the image by right clicking -> Save Image as [ you can protect that too by disabling right click action using javascript ]

There are many other ways to hack the code. But this would save you from Newbies.

You are done !

Hai friends , i am back after a gap with an interesting application.

I am sure that many of you would have searched the web to track a mobile number. I created a simple application in php that would return the location details and info on service provider , you just need to input the 10 digit mobile number.

check out the application here.

please give me a feedback so that i could improve it.

I hope you all have used feedburner in your blog . But have your used Feedburner API to retrieve feedburner count.

Intro to FeedBurner API

The FeedBurner Awareness API (AwAPI) allows publishers of FeedBurner feeds to reuse the detailed traffic statistics we capture for any of their feeds. Third-party applications and web services that consume feeds can leverage this data to provide useful feed awareness statistics to potential subscribers. FeedBurner captures traffic data at an overall level for every feed. Feeds that use our free FeedBurner Stats PRO item view tracking have access to much more detailed data at the individual item level. This data includes “resyndication” information, which is very useful for determining where and how a feed is being consumed.

The API usage is very simple and effective . I have created a simple application that returns the number of subscribers , you can use it to get number of subscriber count.

My Nokia 7210 was not receiving GPRS settings from customer care , even i searched on web for settings to set it manually but failed .

I am sharing the configuration that worked for me .

Following Configuration is for BSNL SOUTH ZONE

Step 1 : GoTo Menu – » Settings – » Configuration – » Personal config.sett. [ add new web in personal config.sett. ]

account name   -  bsnlnet
homepage   -  http://google.com
username    -
password     -
use pref.access pt.   -  no

& under access point settings fill in

proxy   -  disabled
data bearer   -  packet data [ try both ie, GSM/packet data ]

& under bearer settings fill in

packet data acc.pt.   -  bsnlnet
network type   -  IPv4
authentication type   -  normal
username   -
password    -

after entering the above details , activate it. [ you can activate it under Menu - » Settings - » Configuration - » Personal config.sett. ]

restart your mobile after activating the settings . you are done ! Happy Browsing .

Many of you would have seen a newsletter in your inbox . Have you wondered how they are send , i needed the same to implement in one of my project and found that it could be done using simple mail() function in php.

I wrote a php function that would ease your work .

function mailNewsletter($toAddress,$subject)
{
$to= $toAddress;
$subject =$subject;

$headers = 'From: contact@contact.com' . "\r\n" .
'Reply-To: contact@contact.com' . "\r\n" .
"X-Mailer: PHP/" . phpversion()."\r\n";

$headers .= "MIME-Version: 1.0\r\n";
$headers .= "Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1\r\n";

$mime_boundary="==Multipart_Boundary_x".md5(mt_rand())."x";

$message  = '<html><body>';
$message .= '<div style="width:400px;height:110px;padding-left:50px;padding-top:10px;background-color:#9ABCE2">';
$message .= '<div style="border-bottom:#FFFFFF thin solid;height:35px;margin-left:-50px;"><h2 style="margin-top:0px;color:#FFF" align="center">sample newsletter from achari.in</h2></div>';
$message .= '<div style="float:left;width:200px;padding-top:14px;padding-left:7px;"><img src="http://www.achari.in/wp-content/logoPlain.png" alt="achari.in" width="170" /></div>';
$message .= '<div style="float:left;padding-left:20px;padding-top:27px;"><a href="http://www.achari.in">click here to link</a></div>
</div>';
$message .= '</body></html>';

mail($to, $subject, $message, $headers);
}

The above code contains an image , link and a text .

usage :

[/php]

mailNewsletter('to@gmail.com','no subject');

[php]

change parameters as required.

Hope it helped you .