PHP frameworks or alternative DB systems

Hi --

I’m suddenly on to two new projects that are going to require me to either learn PHP or Rails, or some other alternative database program.

(Such as these: http://www.webresourcesdepot.com/25-alternative-open-source-databases-engines/)

The project is not all that dis-similar from things that already exist.

Basically there’s a database of items (listed by sellers who have profiles in a directory) and a database of buyers.

So we have:

1. Items
2. Sellers Profiles
3. Buyers Profiles (each buyer can have up to 5)

Sellers and buyers each have a dashboard as well.
Buyers will be able to rate Items and Sellers.
Sellers will be able to rate Buyers Profiles.
Everything must be searchable.
Some kind of OpenID system will be used to handle logins.

I want to use pre-built components as much as possible for this thing, so I can get it moving.

Any suggestions on something that has great documentation and ease-of-use for beginners?
I’m not averse to learning what I need to, but shortcuts would be GREAT.

Thanks,
John

I’d say if youre gonna stick with modx for a cms, you might as well use xPDO 2.0 and mysql (the orm & db currently used by revolution) to access your data. But that would require learning php.

Probably the easiest thing, if you want to roll with canned components-- would be to buy an ebay clone script, and swipe* the code you need from there. For example: http://www.ebayclonescript.com/

There are lots others out there, from free to very pricey, take your pick: http://www.google.com/#q=ebay+clone

There would likely be buyer’s and seller’s dashboards including ratings functions in almost all of them, certainly the db model, a login system, and a search function ready to go. So you could either strip out the features you don’t need and use their shell, or just snag the modules/code you want, and drag it over into your new project/cms...

..not gonna be much in the way of dox for that, though.


*Of course, do obey the license terms on anything you pick up to use

Thanks

Note that if you want to use xPDO, you’ll want MODx Revolution.

I have some xPDO samples on my site which may give you a jump on learning...