I want to create a blog-like website. At the begining I’ll need a simple one person blog software, but in the future I’d like to have full access to the code and database (control the way posts are organized, offer special forms for creating new posts, allow users to register, implement a rating system, etc.)
What’s the best solution for this? Is there a specific tool that will generate a database and php files, to which I’ll have access, or should I code everything from zip?
I know WordPress and Joomla are good blogging tools, but couldn’t figure out whether I’ll be able to freely redesign a blog that was created using those tools.
WordPress is an open-source, flexible website infrastructure that is pluggable; and also quite simple to setup without any code modifications. It will generate its own database files and is capable of upgrading itself with minimal administrative overhead.
If you choose at a later date to expand the blog, you can manipulate and customize the theme (100% of what the end-users see), as you see fit.
WordPress also has a strong plugin repository that may provide extended functionality without any need to code. For example, a post rating plugin already exists that shouldn’t require coding to implement;