NCAA pools

[ucsigep]

I know most of you guys don't get into Sport, but those that get into pools for the tournament, how do the people you do them with do it? Do you fill out paper sheets and give them to somebody? Would it be easier to do it on a web-based program? Honestly, if you don't really care, don't read past here. You will care even less and this will be a waste of your time.

In a self-motivated project, I'm teaching myself better PHP and MySQL skills by writing a web-based program that takes care of most of the work. I'm not sure I can get it done in time, but I've got quite a bit done so far. I'm not working on aesthetics right now, just content. But I've managed to code scripts to create the needed tables, an account application screen, and a login screen that verifies entries from the user table. I still need to code pages to enter picks and to total up points.

Just thought it was an interesting little project I've taken on. Basically the people at my office have put me in charge of the pool because the guy who did it last year screwed it up, and I helped with the Super Bowl Squares this year making it easier to follow and understand. So rather than having to come home and go through everyones sheets to total up points, I'm trying to come up with an easy way to do it. The idea is once the field is drawn up, users will be able to go online, sign in, and enter their picks from drop-down menus. Once they choose the winners of the first round games, those teams are what will be available in the second round drop-down menus. Then, the picks will be stored in the database, and points will be calculated automatically once I enter the actual winning teams. Then the user can go to a "scoreboard" page, so to speak, and see where they stand overall.

I know there are programs available on-line, but why not try and do it myself? A good learning experience, and kind-of fun, too.

[still2hi]

I do not usually follow the the whole season but I love to get into the pools. It would be great to see your program and if you have it done in time, let me know and I will join. I still want to see it when your done, even if its after the fact.

Brandon

[OWNDJOO]

i liked the way you did it last year, but this sounds even better!

[ucsigep]

Well, first part is done. All the pages for entering picks are done, and everything works. Now it's time to figure out how to create a printout with all the picks, how to enter the actual game winners, and then how to add up the users points and create a totals page.

I never thought PHP/MySQL would be this easy, but it really is pretty simple to use. Makes writing web pages a helluva lot easier, and you can make them so much more robust.

After I figure all this out, next thing will probably be to try and start creating hacks for message boards like vBulletin, etc., now that I am getting a grasp on how the language works.


So far, I have approx. 3,700 lines of code in 54 different pages, and 21 individual tables in the database. Not bad for only starting 3 days ago, doing it after work. Though, I have been sick and didn't go to work yesterday, so I worked on it on and off during the day. I have been enjoying writing the code, but still can't imagine being a programmer and just doing this all day every day. Those that do, my hat goes off to you. It's like our cars. I enjoy working on them, but I don't think I'd enjoy making a living doing it.