Web & Database PHP Developers

VIN numbers are used by the automotive industry to uniquely identify vehicles from each other. They are therefore unique strings like a Social Security Number for a US citizen. VIN numbers went into effect in 1980 and are defined in segments that designate identifying references with a numerical serial at the end. VIN numbers are 17 character, non-delimited, alphanumeric strings that do not include the letters I (i), O (o), or Q(q). A more detailed definition of VIN number structure can be found on Wikipedia.

PHP & MySQL programming provide VIN number validation as well as segment lookups to verify the manufacturer, year, make, model and body style. PHP is used to first check that VIN number is 17 continuous characters and does not include disallowed characters. PHP then splits the VIN number into segments to check the parts against a MySQL database to verify the VIN number contains valid components.

This process of VIN number validation is beneficial for data entry systems for vehicle data when input by staff. After the VIN number has been entered, and the year, make, model and body style are entered, PHP can compare the staff-entered vehicle information against the VIN number segments for each data type.

MySQL database programming allows comparisons of VIN number segments and converted segments against tables of vehicle industry data. An additional cross check is done to ensure that the make exists under the correct manufacturer, that the model exists under the make, and the body style exists under the model. In addition to checking the validity of the year code, the manufacturer-make-model-body style combination may or may not exist for certain years, and should also be verified.

VIN number validation of the string itself can be done with PHP alone, but segment comparisons and segment combination cross checks require a Lookup repository such as MySQL databases. Services exist Online to provide this service for a fee, but programming PHP & MySQL VIN number validation systems saves money and provides excellent speed.

If you need information or are looking to have your own PHP & MySQL VIN number web application, call us at 801-253-2564 and we can provide the MySQL databases and PHP programming services you need.