Read page content, convert to json, enter to SQL?

Question

I want to read the content from an external page, convert that into a predefined format, and then enter it into a database.

This is just for fun--it's taking an event list and copying the events to my own site.

Take this page, and manipulate it to fit a different format...

Is it possible to do this with jquery?

Answer 1

Yes, up to reading, and convert to another format, but of course not into a database.

Although the html formatting on the page you given is not too good (like the use of strong within the div, instead of giving meaningful name/class/id to the item), as long as all events are in same format, it is not difficult to use JQ to convert into, whatever format you want.

Answer 2

It's possible but only to a degree. You're going to need some server-side code to help you out. Without seeing your predefined format, it's tough to make any suggestions.

At an abstract level, I'm assuming that an event will be composed of a time, a date, and a location. From here, it would seem as if you'd need to break down the process into the following:

Client-side

• Find each time, date, and location.
• For each of these, you're going to want to format them into your pre-defined representation.
• Submit this data to the server.

Server-side

• Perform any necessary validation or processing
• Insert it into the database