Joomla - Component: Creating the Database Table

Now, we create a table for preparing place where data will go. For first time, make sure what prefix database you use. You can check on menu Site > Global Configuration > Server. Assuming, that your database prefix is jos_.

If you prefer SQL statement, you can write following code:

CREATE TABLE `jos_hello` (
`id` INT( 11 ) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY ,
`message` TEXT NOT NULL ,
`published` TINYINT( 1 ) NOT NULL 
);

If you prefer use web-based database manager such phpMyAdmin, folow this steps:

1. Open your phpMyAdmin.
2. Select you Joomla! database.
3. Register new table on form like following images:
   
   Click go.
4. You will get a form for define columns. Do like following images:
   

   Don't forget define primary key and auto_increment for id.
   

   Click Save button.

Creating a Table Class

We could write individual functions to take care of the queries necessary to add, update, and delete data. Fortunately, the Joomla! team has ready done this for you. The JTable class provides functions for performing modify data from single table in the database. We just extend the class.

Following steps to create table class:

1. Create a folder named "tables" within administrator/components/com_hello.
2. Create the hello.php file and enter the following code:

   <?php
   defined('_JEXEC') or die('Restricted Access');
   
   class TableHello extends JTable
   {
   	var $id 		= null;
   	var $message 		= null;	
   	var $published 		= 0;	
   	
   	/**
   	* @param database A database 
           connector object */
   	function __construct(&$db)
   	{
   		parent::__construct( '#__hello', 'id', $db );
   	}	
   	
   }
   
   ?>