How to generate a HTML page dynamically using PHP?

Question

I have a page which displays info about a property, based on the unique ID from the url, searching the mysql database for that ID, getting all the info from that row etc, fairly standard really.

I was wondering if/how I can 'create' a html page for each database row, as I'm assuming this would be better for SEO? Having multiple pages with keywords on rather than one dynamic page?

My properties are added to the database by a form/ upload system on the site, I was thinking creating the page on upload might be easiest, but am open to suggestions!

Solution 1

I was wondering if/how I can 'create' a html page for each database row?

You just need to create one php file that generate an html template, what changes is the text based content on that page. In that page is where you can get a parameter (eg. row id) via POST or GET and then get the info form the database.

I'm assuming this would be better for SEO?

Search Engine as Google interpret that example.php?id=33 and example.php?id=44 are different pages, and yes, this way is better than single listing page from the SEO point of view, so you just need two php files at least (listing.php and single.php), because is better link this pages from the listing.php.

Extra advice:

example.php?id=33 is really ugly and not very seo friendly, maybe you need some url rewriting code. Something like example/properties/property-name is better ;)

Solution 2

Just in case someone wants to generate/create actual HTML file...

$myFile = "filename.html"; // or .php   
$fh = fopen($myFile, 'w'); // or die("error");  
$stringData = "your html code php code goes here";   
fwrite($fh, $stringData);
fclose($fh);

Enjoy!

Solution 3

As per your requirement you dont have to generate a html page dynamicaly. It can be done by .htaccess file .

Still this is sample code to generate HTML Page

<?php

 $filename = 'test.html';
 header("Cache-Control: public");
 header("Content-Description: File Transfer");
 header("Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=$filename");
 header("Content-Type: application/octet-stream; ");
 header("Content-Transfer-Encoding: binary");
?>

you can create any .html , .php file just change extention in file name

Solution 4

I've been working kind of similar to this and I have some code that might help you. The live example is here and below, is the code I'm using for you to have it as reference.

create-page.php

<?php

// Session is started.
session_start();

// Name of the template file.
$template_file = 'couples-template.php';

// Root folder if working in subdirectory. Name is up to you ut must match with server's folder.
$base_path = '/couple/';

// Path to the directory where you store the "couples-template.php" file.
$template_path = '../template/';

// Path to the directory where php will store the auto-generated couple's pages.
$couples_path = '../couples/';

// Posted data.
$data['groom-name'] = str_replace(' ', '', $_POST['groom-name']);
$data['bride-name'] = str_replace(' ', '', $_POST['bride-name']);
// $data['groom-surname'] = $_POST['groom-surname'];
// $data['bride-surname'] = $_POST['bride-surname'];
$data['wedding-date'] = $_POST['wedding-date'];
$data['email'] = $_POST['email'];
$data['code'] = str_replace(array('/', '-', ' '), '', $_POST['wedding-date']).strtoupper(substr($data['groom-name'], 0, 1)).urlencode('&').strtoupper(substr($data['bride-name'], 0, 1));

// Data array (Should match with data above's order).
$placeholders = array('{groom-name}', '{bride-name}', '{wedding-date}', '{email}', '{code}');

// Get the couples-template.php as a string.
$template = file_get_contents($template_path.$template_file);

// Fills the template.
$new_file = str_replace($placeholders, $data, $template);

// Generates couple's URL and makes it frendly and lowercase.
$couples_url = str_replace(' ', '', strtolower($data['groom-name'].'-'.$data['bride-name'].'.php'));

// Save file into couples directory.
$fp = fopen($couples_path.$couples_url, 'w');
fwrite($fp, $new_file);
fclose($fp);

// Set the variables to pass them to success page.
$_SESSION['couples_url'] = $couples_url;
// If working in root directory.
$_SESSION['couples_path'] = str_replace('.', '', $couples_path);
// If working in a sub directory.
//$_SESSION['couples_path'] = substr_replace($base_path, '', -1).str_replace('.', '',$couples_path);

header('Location: success.php');

?>

Hope this file can help and work as reference to start and boost your project.

Solution 5

You dont need to generate any dynamic html page, just use .htaccess file and rewrite the URL.

View more solutions

Comments

[rpsep2]

accepted this as it gives some extra info which is useful, thank you, ill try some of this out when I get home

[Bruno Francisco]

I have a document where it will print an html document. Along with the html document it comes variables from the main php document. How can I print variables from the main php document to the dynamically created html document?

[oldboy]

it would help if you explained your answer instead of just providing sample code...

[Devi A]

I tried this solution.. But placeholders are not replacing.. I need this kind of solution..

[answerSeeker]

please provide more explanation

[mercury]

You have to complete your answer .