Linked pages from plugin on front can't see $wpdb

Question

I obviously need more knowledge re this one. From my plugin. I have a custom main page which displays my custom db data table of a list of stores. Each store has a "link" ie using a href eg.

<a href='wp-content\plugins\SBaronAdmin\Menus.php?xp=<?=$row->BrExpress;?> '>
<img src='images/full_menu_icon.gif' 
alt='See this store menu' class='menuimg' /></a>

but, the called page has an issue using $wpdb. I assume it is because it is not recognised as a WordPress page. though the called page resides in the plugin folder.

I have tried this as well as function calls and also Shortcodes (beneath,..which don't work..I've done something wrong obviously) eg.

 <a [caption] <?=$row->Express;?> [/caption]
 <img src='images/full_menu_icon.gif' 
 alt='See this store menu' class='menuimg' /></a>

with

  function Platters_shortcode( $atts, $content = null ) 
  {
     return '<a href="Platters.php?xp="' .  $content . '>';
  }
  add_shortcode( 'caption', 'Platters_shortcode' );

but to no avail.

Can anyone puh-lease point me in the right direction TIA

Answer 1

I would do something like this:

<a href="?xp=<?php echo $row->BrExpress; ?>">
<img src='images/full_menu_icon.gif' 
alt='See this store menu' class='menuimg' /></a>

And then to load the page when the link is clicked:

function load_the_menu_page() {
    if(isset($_GET['xp'])) {
        global $wpdb;
        // retrieve database info here

        return $info;
    }
}
add_action('init', 'load_the_menu_page');

Note, this is just a sample. If you do something like this you should greatly improve it. You will want to use a nonce and also name your functions appropriately.

It's still not very clear as to what exactly you're trying to do, so if this isn't close, please try explaining more.