Dish Discovery, a project by Drexel University student Eli Goldberg, showcases the power of PHP and seamless database integration in creating a dynamic recipe website. This 10-week endeavor not only resulted in a functional product but also marked a significant learning curve for Eli in mastering PHP.
The Challenge: Creating a Dynamic Recipe Website
The primary objective was to develop a responsive recipe site that pulls data from a database using PHP. Key challenges included:
- Familiarizing with PHP for the first time
- Integrating a database seamlessly
- Designing an intuitive user interface
- Creating only two unique pages – a main recipe search page and a detailed recipe page
Development Process
The project unfolded in several stages:
- Initial research and user studies
- Design of logo, fonts, and color scheme
- Building static pages with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Integrating PHP and database functionality
- Fine-tuning, debugging, and quality testing
Key Features and Innovations
Dish Discovery stands out with its user-centric features:
- Multiple filter selection for customized recipe searches
- Consideration for users with dietary restrictions
- Clear and consistent recipe presentation
- Responsive design for various screen sizes
Overcoming Technical Challenges
A significant hurdle was implementing multiple filter selections. Eli solved this by using checkbox elements within a form, utilizing the POST method, and creating a function to detect and format multiple selections for database queries.
Results and Future Improvements
The project successfully met its goals, providing a functional and user-friendly recipe website. Future enhancements could include:
- Improved overall branding
- Expanded filter categories beyond protein choices
- Enhanced search capabilities
Dish Discovery not only serves as a testament to Eli’s growing skills in web development but also provides a valuable platform for recipe enthusiasts to explore and discover new dishes with ease.