Application Generators

[walterbyrd]

I would like to put together a very simple inventory program. When I
ship an item, and edit the quantity; I would like the quantity _on_hand
to auto-decrement, and the quantity_to_reorder to auto-increment.

Also, when the data is displayed in a table format, I would like to be
able to edit the quantity field as I
would in a spreadsheet, just edit that field, without having to change
to an edit-record screen.

I thought the easiest way to do this would be to use a PHP code
generator. But I'm not having any luck. Maybe I give up and code by
hand? Or maybe I should use django? It seems that application
generators never do exactly what you want, and even if they do, what
about future development? I am looking for something that will make it
easy to put together this simple project, and be flexible enough that I
can easily modify the project.

This application is supposed to run on hosted server, so that is also a
concern. The present host doesn't even have python, but I could move
the site to a new host, which has cgi python.

I have an open mind. If anybody can suggest anything, I will take a
look.

Application generators that I have tried:

dbQwikSite: I found it difficult to get it to work, and very slow. I
had to uninstall Xampp, and install AppServ just to get it to work at
all. I don't know why, maybe Xampp's versions of php/mysql were too
new? I still can not get it to generate php code that I can use.

AppGini: works as advertised, easy to use, inexpensive, and fast. But,
frankly, it doesn't do much. As far as I could see, it doesn't even
offer the basic security of a login. It just displays data, and allows
you to add/delete records. I don't even think you can interactively
edit records. Not much reporting capability.

PHP-Runner: the best so far. Fast, easy, nice looking display, has
basic security, allows editing records.  Still does not seem to have
the basic functionallity I'm looking for.

Other app generators that I have looked at, but not tried:

PHP-Peanuts
PHPMaker
phpmysql
DaDaBik
WizzyWeb
Navicat

Again, glad to read any opinions.