UltraDev, Databases, ASP and JSP

[CABO WABO]

Hello,
Can anyone guide me in the right direction to incorporate a database into a website? I want to be able to search the files online (And let others do it too!!)
I have Macromedia's UltraDev, does anyone know how to do it in this? and what does ASP and JSP have to do with all this?

Tnx
Cabo Wabo

[Jinx M]

Long story mate. It all depends on what type of database you want to use. By far the easiest method is probably to use a Microsoft Access database on an NT server with Frontpage extensions and ASP (Active Server Pages) support. If you then use Front Page 2000, its pretty easy to get a database up and running. The problem is that all this costs bucket loads of money. Well, not bucket loads but lots more than most servers. If you go this route, make sure you check that you can run databases. Lots of hosts offer FP extensions and ASP but charge extra for the database bit!

A cheaper alternative is to use a MySQL database but you'll need to get you hands dirty and learn a scripting language to get this to sing and dance for you. Its WELL worth the effort though because, not only do you get a groovey web based database, people will also pay you a lot of money for the skills you'll have learnt.

The third and cheapest method would be a CGI database using a text file. It all depends on what you're trying to achieve though. You'll need a server that allows custom CGI scripts but the scripts themselves can be found all over the web. Try the CGI Resource Index (http://cgi.resourceindex.com/Programs_and_Scripts/) for starters. CGI is a bit odd at first but once you've installed a few, its pretty easy.

For info: ASP is a microsoft thing. Pretty cool scripting language that executes on the server. It allows you to do all sorts of cool stuff with web pages but is far too dependant on Microsoft technology for most people. JSP... Not sure to be honest. I'm sure somebody else will know.

Err.. Cue WildWays..?

Anyway, what are you trying to do? Perhaps a simple CGI database will be just the job?

[WildWayz]

I tend to use MySQL as I am on a linux webhost. It can be a b*tch to set up, but as Jinx says, once it is working it is fast, stable and very secure.

You most likely will have to learn PHP to access it tho - as they tend to go hand in hand.
My vBulletin board runs off of PHP and MySQL and I have had no problems.

Like Jinx said, ASP and NT databases can cost a lot as I believe it needs to be licensed and is more difficult to setup.

CGI databases are OK for non-secure databases, but there can be a lot of security holes in CGI/Perl.
www.cgi-resources.com (http://www.cgi-resources.com) is a good source, so is www.hotscripts.com (http://www.hotscripts.com) .

--WildWayz

[[BL] Switchblade]

can you not run access databases on a unix server then? cos i can use that, unlike mySQL which i only really heard about a month ago :)

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Switchie Baby
Black Legion (http://www.webtopia.co.uk/bl)

[Jinx M]

I *think* you can run Access databases on a Unix server but I'm really not too sure (I'm a bit vague when it comes to web servers and stuff.)

Either way, the bottom line is that using an Access database is massively more expensive and slightly slower than MySQL.

[[BL] Switchblade]

oh right, well is mySQL free? cos i cant afford to pay massive amounts for stuff, cso im only 17 :)

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Switchie Baby
Black Legion (http://www.webtopia.co.uk/bl)

[CABO WABO]

ok, I got MS Access, Frontpage 2000 (But I prefer Dreamweaver...) and any other program I may need... Hopefully.

Now, Im just learning how to make a database in Access, Ill figure out how to search in Dreamweaver, or if worst comes to worst, Frontpage.

Can someone please email (Gurs@vanhalen.com) or ICQ (47697074) Me any useful and appropriate knowledge about SQL. At the moment, I know nothing...