PHP-General - How to make a secure login area with content??

Hi all, new here and to PHP, so sorry if i am in the wrong place.

I would like to know how i can create a part on a website where for example a client can login and then see proces and be able to purchase items, and see their payment history and items purchased. I would like the normal site (where anyone can see) to show items, but only have the prices and option to purchase when an authorised person logs in.. Can anyone please help me out as to where i can lear how to do this? I am having trouble finding it myself as i dont really know the correct terminology to search for.

Thanks so much to anyone that can help me out. This is for an idea site i have nothing that is up and running yet.

the scope of your project is too large for just one forums post.

The key to getting what you want is to create an authentication process (login form, database of users) and learn about how to pass information in the session.

Then, as you write each new module for your site, you can base the content on conditionals that use information in the session

Ok thanks for that. So seeing that i dont know how to do any of this, would you suggest i learn how to do the login form and user database first? I am guessing the content i then want instide is just normal pages and forms that i later make secure or something

Try OSCommerce
http://www.oscommerce.com/

Basically it's an open source, LAMP-based e-commerce system. I've used it several times, it's fairly quick to get up and running.

but will be very difficult to make it behave the way you want it to, ie only show prices when logged in

You may need to sacrifice some desired functionality for ALLOT less work. I for one think it's worth it to avoid the very heavy learning curve. It could be years before you create a secure web-based application for your wants & needs. Once you get experience like Northie is when you devote a month or two to creating the base for such a project. Until then, get familiar with other products, (open or closed source), to gain some experience with how the "big dogs" do things. Learn PHP on the way there