PHP - Basic Mvc Issue

I think this is a simple question, but I'm just starting out and can't figure out how to do this exactly.

I'm making a demo site for a flower shop. The structure is as such (only listing the particular files in question - once this is done, the rest will be easy)

index.php -> inc_show_colors.php -> showColors.php

The index is to be standard through the site, loading include files into a main content area.  Clicking on a link loads inc_by_color.php (index.php -> index.php?page=by_color )

From there, one of the four colors is selected.

showColors.php contains switch statements for each color. I want to load showColors.php into the main content window when a color is selected, and I need to have it work for all four colors. I'm not sure how to do this, as you can't pass a variable to an include from what I understand.

What's the easiest way to go about this? Keep in mind this is an intro class and "best practices" are not necessary yet, just the simplest solution to get it working.

 I want each of these colors to link to another include file, which will load in its place in index.php.


index.php:
Code: [Select]
<div id="maincontent">
<?php
if (isset($_GET['page'])) {
switch ($_GET['page']) {
case 'by_color':
include('includes/inc_by_color.php');
break;
case 'by_type':
include('includes/inc_by_type.php');
break;
case 'by_occasion':
include('includes/inc_by_occasion.php');
break;
case 'view_cart':
include('includes/inc_view_cart.php');
break;
case 'payment_options':
include('includes/inc_payment_options.php');
break;

case 'home_page':
default:
include('includes/inc_home.php');
break;
}
}
else 
include('includes/inc_home.php');

?>
</div>

inc_by_color.php:
The first link I tried doing in the way I thought would work, but it doesn't. It can't find the include file.
The second one works, kind of - but it just loads the page by itself, not into the maincontent div in index.php.
Code: [Select]
<h1>Flowers Categorized by Color</h1>
<div class="picdivcontainer">
<div class="picdiv"><a href="index.php?page=red"><img src="images/image.png" width="90" height="90" alt="Red Flowers" />
  <p>Red</a></p></div>
<div class="picdiv"><a href="showColors.php?color=white"><img src="images/image.png" width="90" height="90" alt="White Flowers" /></a>
  <p><a href="showColors.php?color=white">White</a></p></div>
</div>

and showColors.php:
Code: [Select]
if (isset($_GET['color'])) {
switch ($_GET['color']) {
case 'red':
$result = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM flowers WHERE color='red'") or die(mysql_error());
while($row = mysql_fetch_array( $result )) {
// Set and trim strings and show the resulting flowers from query
$flowername = $row['name'];
$flowerimage = $row['image'];
$image_path = "images/";
$flowername = str_replace('_', ' ', $flowername);
$flowername = ucwords($flowername);
?> <div class="picdiv"><p><?php echo $flowername."<br />";
$flowerimage = str_replace(' ', '_', $flowerimage);
echo "<img src='images/" . $row['image'] . "' />";
?></p></div> <?php
} 
break;
I realize that showColors.php is probably a really messy way of doing this, but I just need to get it functioning ASAP for now.

 I'm trying to create a website so that if I go to http://websiteaddress.com/,  it will go to then index and if you are already logged in it will display the main page, but if you aren't logged in it'll show a login/registration page.

Also, how does the following work:

index.php?action=home

index.php?action=register

They show two seperate pages?

So, could it go to the home page if logged in, but if not logged in it'll go the registration/login page?

I have 3 tables (sectors, subsectors, and business). From the site a site user can select a sector, which then lists the subsectors, then when they select a sub sector they can view a list of the businesses within the selection.

I am trying to remove a step so that they will see the sectors and be able to select, then will list the subsectors with the business names under the subsectors.

The code I have is prior to removing the step is ......

Code: [Select]
<?php 
$rs=mysql_query("select * from tblmain WHERE id='$view'");                     
while($row=mysql_fetch_row($rs)){
foreach ($row as $k => $v){
$row[$k] = nl2br($v);
} 

echo("<h4>" . $row[1] . " Sectors </h4>");         
}
?>
       
        <ul>


          <?php 
$pnds=1;
if (isset($_GET["id"])) $pnds=$_GET["id"];
$sql = "select * from tblsub WHERE catid='$view' ORDER BY subsec ";
$reccount=$sq->numsrow($sql);
if ($reccount > 0) {
$ata =$sq->query($sql);
while($rs=$sq->fetch($ata))
{
?>

<li><a href="listings.php?view=<?php echo $rs["subsec"];?>"><?php echo $rs["subsec"];?></a></li>


<?php

} 
}
?>
</ul>
I have tried to get this to work but the problem I am having is $view is an number but the actual business table is not id, it is by subsector name.  I have tried .......

Code: [Select]
<?php 
$rs=mysql_query("select * from tblmain WHERE id='$view'");                     
while($row=mysql_fetch_row($rs)){
foreach ($row as $k => $v){
$row[$k] = nl2br($v);
} 

echo("<h4>" . $row[1] . " Sectors </h4>");         
}
?>
       
        <ul>


          <?php 
$pnds=1;
if (isset($_GET["id"])) $pnds=$_GET["id"];
$sql = "select * from tblsub WHERE catid='$view' ORDER BY subsec ";
$reccount=$sq->numsrow($sql);
if ($reccount > 0) {
$ata =$sq->query($sql);
while($rs=$sq->fetch($ata))
{
?>

<li><a href="listings.php?view=<?php echo $rs["subsec"];?>"><?php echo $rs["subsec"];?></a></li>
<?php 
$rs=mysql_query("select * from tblbusiness WHERE category='$view' ORDER BY name"); 
                    
while($row=mysql_fetch_row($rs)){
foreach ($row as $k => $v){
$row[$k] = nl2br($v);
}

print(" . $row[2] . ");

}

<?php

} 
}
?>
</ul>
But obviously category is by name and not $view which is an id.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Does it matter where you start your session at? Does it have to be before the <!doctype> tag or can it go anywhere in the page?