Question

I realize that this question has been asked many times, but I’ve yet to find a flatfile version.

I’m looking for a way to achieve the following in PHP or CGI-PERL, preferably PHP:

1. A person submits their email address via a form.
2. The email is then stored (temporarily) in a flatfile database (temp_emails.txt)
3. The person then receives an auto-reply email with a link to confirm their email address.
4. Upon confirming by clicking the link, their email address is then
   saved to a new file.

(confirmed_emails.txt for example).

One way that I’ve thought of, is some form of "opt-in" method.

Is this possible without SQL or a similar database?

Answer 1

It’s possible.

When writing the email to the temp_emails.txt file open it like such:

$f = fopen('temp_emails.txt', 'a+'); // open for read/write at end of file
fwrite($f, $email); // write the email to the file
fclose($f); // close it
// send new email

They get their link confirm.php?email=[e-mail]

// first check if they already confirmed it
$file = file('confirmed_emails.txt');
if(!in_array($email, $file)){
    // not in file
    $f = fopen('confirmed_emails.txt', 'a+');
    fwrite($f, $email);
    fclose($f);
}else {
    // already confirmed
}