Seeking MySQL-expert RPG Fanatic

Are there any out there? I need help building a multi-purpose, D20-Compliant database in, or as close as possible to, 3NF (while still maintaining the ability to manipulate the DB in PHP efficiently).

If anyone's interested drop me a line, I've got plenty of projects to work on and don't have time to do this, but its something I've been needing.

So what are the benefits of helping with (or taking over) this project? Glory, mainly not to mention full rights to it, as long as I'm allowed to use it in both Open Source and commercial projects as needed.

And it shouldn't be too difficult a project, it's just a database structure for cryin out loud.

I don't even mind filling in all the static data myself (like Equipment, weapons, etc, stuff that doesn't change much). I just need to have all the tables available and structured well so that I can do the rest.

If no one's interested then so be it, it just occurred to me that I ought to at least post this notice.

The design is everything. That's where we make the big bucks.

I'm halfway done with it already, after spending an average of 5 minutes per week since I posted this. If I can get paid big bucks just to design a MySQL database layout, then someone please point me to "Now Hiring" sign.

I think the "Now Hiring" signs will start to light up when you're finished and have a working, cleanly designed DB. And a nice app to show for it.

5 minute designs will cost you many weeks of heart-ache later. Good luck, grasshopper.

Well I did say I've been spending an average of 5 minutes per week, not in total. Its been four months since I posted this. But frankly I think the database design is coming along very nicely. Its almost 3NF, except for a small number of instances where 3NF would be completely impractical for the application.

Database design in MySQL really isn't that complicated, as long as you have an idea what you need before you start. Its like trying to draw a map -- it only works if you have an idea of where everything is to begin with, but once you get the structure done, the rest is just filling in the details.

At least thats how I look at it. Please tell me, O Omniscient Guru, what it is that you feel makes database design so difficult? Because obviously I'm missing something, if you're right.

I didn't say it was difficult. But what I will say is that the "obvious" design is almost certainly wrong. I've seen it in every DND game design I know. The error that most people make is taking the paper rules and implementing those. The books are not a database design.

I'll predict that the problem you will have is the massive number of "special cases" you have to code for when you finally get to the point of coding the rules for all the various bits and pieces.

Though, I wouldn't mind seeing someone get it right, finally.

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If anyone here is still interested I have been working on a MySQL implementation of the d20 system for several months now. You can check out the results at URL . Register as a new user and browse around. There is still work to be done but several of the databases are near a 1.0 status. I have spells, monsters, equipment, armor, etc. There are also a great many tables that are in the database that don't yet have a front end. Anyways, I got frustrated that no one had ported the d20 SRD to a db structure so I have been trying to do just that. Let me know if you would like assist with the project or just want access to SQL files.

Good news, thanks. I'll check it out.

Looks like its really coming along. I dropped you a comment on the forum, but I'll mention it here just in case -- I'd be interested in collaborating with you to some degree. Drop me a line via the "E-mail" link or the address I gave through your site's Comments page.