Project 2 – Part 5: Delete Post (Delete Data)

In this part of Project 2 (CRUD Blog System), we will learn how to delete blog posts from the database using PHP and MySQL.

This is the Delete part of CRUD.

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What You Will Learn in This Part

• Add delete functionality
• Pass ID using URL
• Delete records securely
• Use confirmation before deleting
• Understand real-world delete flow

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Prerequisites

Before starting:

• Insert, View, and Edit functionalities are working
• db.php file exists
• Posts are visible in index.php

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Step 1: Add Delete Link in Post List

Open index.php and add this link inside the loop:

<a href="delete-post.php?id=<?php echo $row['id']; ?>" 
   onclick="return confirm('Are you sure you want to delete this post?');">
   Delete
</a>

This confirmation prevents accidental deletion.

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Step 2: Create Delete File

Create a file named delete-post.php

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Step 3: Delete Post Using ID

Add this code in delete-post.php

<?php
include "db.php";

$id = $_GET['id'];

$query = "DELETE FROM posts WHERE id = $id";

if (mysqli_query($conn, $query)) {
    header("Location: index.php");
} else {
    echo "Error: " . mysqli_error($conn);
}
?>

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Step 4: Test Delete Functionality

1. Open index.php
2. Click Delete
3. Confirm deletion
4. Post should be removed from database
5. Page redirects back to post list

🎉 Delete functionality is working.

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Understanding Delete Flow

Click Delete → Confirm → PHP → MySQL → Redirect

This is how admin delete actions work in real projects.

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Important Security Notes

For now, this is basic deletion.

Later we will improve:

• Prepared statements
• Token-based deletion
• Admin-only access

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Common Beginner Mistakes

• Forgetting WHERE clause
• Wrong column name
• Not redirecting after delete
• No confirmation popup

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Mini Task for Students

Try to:

• Add success message
• Restrict delete without login
• Use POST instead of GET (advanced)

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Project 2 Completed 🎉

You have now built:

• Insert Post
• View Posts
• Edit Post
• Delete Post

This is a complete CRUD system.