Access and Web Development

F

FatMan

Hi all:
I have a database program that I would like to add a web interface for.
That is to say I would like users to be able to navigate to my database
through the web, log into the interface and add/modify/delete records that
pertain only to them.

The database and code is ready to go but I would like to hear what peoples
thoughts and opinions are as to what programming language is best to use for
the web interface and why? Should I use Java, C, C++, C#, etc.

All replies are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
FatMan
 
R

Rick Brandt

FatMan said:
Hi all:
I have a database program that I would like to add a web interface
for. That is to say I would like users to be able to navigate to my
database through the web, log into the interface and
add/modify/delete records that pertain only to them.

The database and code is ready to go but I would like to hear what
peoples thoughts and opinions are as to what programming language is
best to use for the web interface and why? Should I use Java, C,
C++, C#, etc.

All replies are greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

What is already in place? Do you already have a web server or will you be
setting up a new one? If an existing one you will need to see which of
those it will support and which would require changes.

Which technology/language are you already familiar with? That would be the
best choice. If you are familiar with none of them I'm sure
representatives/advocates of each would provide many reasons why their
preferred platform is the one you should use. I imagine that ASP.Net would
be among the easiest to learn from scratch. At least for someone already
famiiar with other MS development tools.
 
F

FatMan

Rick:
Thanks for the comments.

Yes, it is a new web server and whatever language will be used to complete
the interface between the web and my existing access database will need to be
learnt. I have done some searches at the local (Canadian)
universities/colleges and have found courses being offered in Java, C, C++
and C# but not ASP.net. As I have said I have searched Canadian
universities/colleges for online courses but do not/will not limit myself to
Canadian schools if someone knows of a good language and course to go with it.

Do you know of a good course in ASP.net?

Thanks,
FatMan
 
F

FatMan

Alex:
Are you saying that I can use SharePoint server on a server that is
available to my users (outside of the company) so they can gain access to my
database program? What would the meechanics be to accomplish something like
this? I have no experience with SharPoint server.

Thanks for your comments,
FatMan
 
A

Alex Dybenko

Hi,
not exactly. With SharePoint you can create tables (called lists in
SharePoint) and make web forms so users can enter information there.
Then you can link access mdb to that lists, so same time you can enter data
in access.
of course there are some limitations with these lists.
--
Best regards,
___________
Alex Dybenko (MVP)
http://accessblog.net
http://www.PointLtd.com
 
D

David W. Fenton

I have a database program that I would like to add a web interface
for. That is to say I would like users to be able to navigate to
my database through the web, log into the interface and
add/modify/delete records that pertain only to them.
Click to expand...

Are you sure that hosting it on Windows Terminal Server and allowing
them to run it via Remote Desktop would not be a much, much easier
approach? There are RDP clients for even non-Windows OS's. For those
users, it would be a bit more complicated for the users than using
their browser, but it would require no development work whatsoever
to deploy it.
 
R

Rick Brandt

FatMan said:
Rick:
Thanks for the comments.

Yes, it is a new web server and whatever language will be used to
complete the interface between the web and my existing access
database will need to be learnt. I have done some searches at the
local (Canadian) universities/colleges and have found courses being
offered in Java, C, C++ and C# but not ASP.net. As I have said I
have searched Canadian universities/colleges for online courses but
do not/will not limit myself to Canadian schools if someone knows of
a good language and course to go with it.

Do you know of a good course in ASP.net?
Click to expand...

Well with .net you would be programming in one of the CLR languages of which
C# is one so a C# class would aid you in developing an ASP.Net solution.

When dealing with web development you are actually learning a whole
collection of new skills. The programming language being just one of those
things.
 
F

FatMan

Dave:
Thanks for the input I appreciate it.

I guess a Windows Terminal Server would be much easier to implement but how
would we handle the printing of reports. I would most likely have 50 users
and they will want to run the reports and print them at their remote
location. How does Terminal Server handle the printing back to the client?
You also mentioned non-Windows OS's RDP clients...can you name a few or point
me in the correct direction?

Thanking you for your help.
FatMan
 
D

David W. Fenton

I guess a Windows Terminal Server would be much easier to
implement but how would we handle the printing of reports. I
would most likely have 50 users and they will want to run the
reports and print them at their remote location. How does
Terminal Server handle the printing back to the client?
Click to expand...

The server has to have a printer drivers installed on it that are
compatible with the local default printer. If that's already in
place, the user does nothing -- by default the printer on the server
gets mapped to the local default printer. The problems come when you
have to support users with a bunch of exotic and various printers.
In a satellite office situation, it's much simpler, as you know what
the local printers are and can easily install the drivers for them
on the terminal server.\
You also mentioned non-Windows OS's RDP clients...can you name a
few or point me in the correct direction?
Click to expand...

The MS website provides the downloads for non-Windows OS (just as
they do for Windows).
 
B

bhipwell via AccessMonster.com

Hi Fatman,

I ran into a similar situation a year or so ago. Instead of printing, I set
up the forms to allow the emailing of reports to the user. This way, they
can print, save, forward, etc. the report. I used Stephen Lebans email code
which is just awesome to covert documents into PDF.

I use the RDP setup with nearly 70 clients. However, to make it appear
"weblike," my clients visit my website, select a button which opens up the
RDP connection.

Although sometimes it may be nice to just print right from access, most of my
clients like the ability to save the document for future reference or to be
able to forward the document to other collegues.

Hope this helps.

BH
 
Top