Eh?? Well first off I wouldn't be using php to do it... I'd use a language such as C++ or VB to do it, given you're probably wanting to communicate with a serial/parallel/usb port to drive the reader and extract the (probably) binary data from a card swipe, I don't know how well (if at all) PHP would do this. Then you just parse it using either a pattern matching (Perl-like?) parser if it's a complicated pattern, or a simpler bit by bit analysis if it's something simple (such as an ID number). Then insert the data to whatever DB you like. Don't know the in's and out's of DB access from C++ etc but I'd imagine there will be a dll or something that already takes the hard work out of this.
Sorry if this is a bit vague, but it matches the question! :) All I'm saying is, choose a programming language that is more suited to this. Are you trying to secure a website with a card swipe or something?... That would likely involve the PHP script running at the same time as the card swipe happening. And having the card swipe attached to the web-server. More details are really needed. Ross > -----Original Message----- > From: Mentor Mala [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: 24 July 2002 17:05 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [PHP-WIN] reading input from a magnetic stripe and then parsing > it to a MySQL database for querry? > > > Hi all... > > I have just been asked to try and develop a system which will read the > input from a magnetic stripe reader, and then parse the information onto > a MySQL database for searching/matching number/information. Then > displaying the info onto the screen. > > In other words, what I am trying to accomplish or asking is how can I > grab the input from a magnetic stripe reader, and then parse it to a > MySQL database? Not sure if I am making any sense.. Hope I am... > > Thanks for all your help in advance... > > > Mentor Mala > Senior Network Administrator > CITY Group, LTD > Executive Vice President, > LartaVista, Inc. > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.lartavista.com/ > http://www.city-group.org/ > > > > -- > PHP Windows Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) > To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php > -- PHP Windows Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
