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Hi,

I'm looking at trying to build functionality into Joomla to allow a team of users to keep track of tasks/activities. I was thinking the best way to do this is with a separate MySQL database to keep track of the data, but using Joomla to handle all of the authentication, interface issues. I need it to be a separate database (or at least standalone tables) so that it can be queried separately from another system.

The interface in Joomla would be that of a table-like display of the database, with various filters/sorts available to the users so they could see all the tasks, tasks by type, tasks for them, etc...

Is this relatively easy to do within Joomla? Any hints?

Easy is a matter of perspective. Are you a programmer? Database designer?

If so, yes this can be done. Is is relatively easy? Well, I don't know if I would say creating custom components and modules 'easy'. Otherwise everyone would be doing them.

It can be done, yes.

If you look in extensions manager here, you'll see a few that have been done that sound similiar to what you're trying to accomplish.

Am I a programmer? Not a full-time one - and my experience in web programming is limited. I know Common Lisp pretty well though.

Database design I have already - that is the easy part because the database isn't that complicated for what I'm trying to do.

Any pointers to stuff on getting Joomla to talk to databases and display the returned information in a client-side sortable table?

Wow.. LISP... I haven't heard that name come up in ages. Goes right along with PROLOG.

As far as external DB connectivity is concerned, this may be of some help:
http://dev.joomla.org/component/option, ... _database/