i'm not sure if this is the correct spot for this or not, but here goes.

I am having a programmer create a small product database that will list all the products, pics, etc.

What I'm wondering is if we can have the database interact with paypal.

i normally use DW for my site design, and I know there's a plugin that will let me do it.

I'm not sure if i've explained it right or not.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

a database can't interact with paypal at all

You need server side code to do database operations

so it depends on what code your host supports.

Hey,

This is one way you can interact with mySQL and paypal:

When a user orders something from your web site you can store the order transaction ID into the database and every time you want to view the order you can call the order transaction ID from the database and send it to paypal to get the order information.

I myself can do this. If you have any trouble let me know.

This method is not interacting the way chrishirst is talking about.

Have your developer look at https://www.paypal.com/IntegrationCe...c_pdnHome.html

The short answer is it absolutely can be done however, only in the way that I think you really mean, not how you've explained it.

i basically just want it to process the payment.

i think we're going to link the product codes and have it link to pay pal.

i'm glad you guys know what i'm talking about! cause I obviously don't. lol

When a user orders something from your web site you can store the order transaction ID into the database and every time you want to view the order you can call the order transaction ID from the database and send it to paypal to get the order information

You can't using MySQL only, because it has no functions that can POST data to another site.

You need some scripting to handle the data transfer between the order page -> paypal -> your confirmation page.
So if your programmer is handling the code to display the items on site it's an extremely simple step to handle the transactions as well.
However to give you any pointers we need to know what code the site is being developed in.

You can't use only MYSQL, you must create a server-side program that will handle the transactions and insert your data into your database.

To do this you will need to turn on the IPN feature in Paypal. What will happen is that after payment is made through paypal, a number of variables will be posted by paypal to the server-side script your create (the post variables include price, product id, ect).

From the server-side script , you can access your database and update your transactions table to keep track of all your orders. And do anything else that you wish ( print labels, send an email to yourself or the customer, etc.)

Good luck.

I'm happy you stated this problem. I myself am developing a site for a client and I recently found out a piece of information she left out. The items she is selling are one-of-a-kind. So I have a similar problem. Good side is, she uses PayPal. Good luck with your adventure. Let me know how you implement your solution.

Good isn't it?
The little tiny details that clients leave out and the comment is always "Did I not tell you that?"

and the same question applies, What server side code are you using we can be more specific.
It's a very simple matter of coding the payment form "on the fly" with the item the visitor selected.

Not sure if this is helpful but I use zen-cart or oscommerce for my online stores you can set up the paypal payment right in the admin panels and then create a template around that.

Actually, I have 1 dumb question: what do you, the author of this topic, means when you say "we can have the database interact with paypal"?