How do I learn to write a web accessed database?

M

M Skabialka

I have been asked to create a multi user, multi company, web accessed
database with input screens, security with limited write access, authorized
read, reports including exports to Excel for automated graphic metrics.

Having only written Access databases before, never anything for the web,
where do I start? I don't know ASP, Java, HTML or php, etc...

I am prepared to go to school to learn this but have no idea what classes I
should be taking, at what kind of schools. Obviously I need to learn this
quickly...

Mich
 
B

Brendan Reynolds

If you're free to choose what technologies to use, I recommend ASP.NET -
you'll find no end of information about ASP.NET at http://msdn.microsoft.com
and http://www.gotdotnet.com

If your organisation already has an existing web server, though, check with
the server admin. You'll want to make sure that you choose technologies that
are supported on your server.
 
D

Dave

ah, education by fire... the greatest way to burn it in. if you don't have
anyone else in your company who has ever done this you probably have your
work cut out for you. the most likely candidate is the .net stuff, that is
probably the most direct route and of course is all the rage right now...
you can probably start with a few dozen hours of video training from
someplace like appdev.com on the .net framework, vs.net, vb.net or c#, i
would highly recommend a good web security course as well, maybe a touch of
human factors design, a course or two in configuring web servers for .net
apps, something about web services, oh, and did i mention a good security
course??? or you could just buy vs.net and go for it.
 
M

M Skabialka

if you don't have anyone else in your company who has ever done this

That's my problem - I am the only person in our IT department. That's why I
am asking for advice here.

I use MS Access Basic daily, learned C++ in the early 90's but have never
used it.
Of the classes listed here from appdev.com, what should I take in what
order? Are these the appropriate classes? $$ limitations of course - I
can't afford to take them all! Basically I want to learn to be able to
create a web interface to a database, forms and reports, and let's assume
Microsoft products for now.

..NET Power Suite for Visual Basic .NET
..NET Power Suite for Visual C# .NET
ADO.NET
ASP.NET Using VB.NET or ASP.NET Using C#
ASP.NET 2.0 Using VB or ASP.NET 2.0 Using C#
SQL Server 2000
SQL Server 2000 Power Suite
Visual Basic .NET
Prog. in Visual C# .NET and Dev. Apps in C#
 
D

Dave

just on a guess i would say you are in over your head. not to pass
judgement without knowing you, but if you are the only one in the IT
department and you are kept busy doing your existing work you will not have
the time to do this to any reasonable schedule. And 15 year old c++ as your
only programming experience does not prepare you for developing an
application that is ready for a web site with database access and the other
stuff you mention... just learning how to keep the data safe is a big enough
job, let alone trying to figure out how to configure and properly protect a
web server in today's hacker filled environment. i would highly recommend
you find a consultant to do this or hire an experienced web developer
depending on your company's long term need.
 
M

M Skabialka

Here's the problem - I can't retire for many years, so I have to learn new
programming techniques.
If I pass this on to someone else, another project just like it will crop
up. At some point if I don't get with the program I will be obsolete
myself. So I am guessing that VB.NET, ADO.NET and ASP.NET are what I need
to learn...
 
D

Dave

that would be a good combination to develop the application, but don't
forget the deployment of it. you need to know how to configure the web
server itself and secure it, and also how to be sure that your data is
protected.

somehow it doesn't sound like you have been doing much programming for the
last 15 years if you haven't used the c++ you learned then. sometimes its
important for you to recognize that you can't do it all and that the company
needs specific skills you don't have. so maybe management is a better
route, set up your own programming department by hiring your first web
developer. i have been studying new programming techniques from my first
exposure to basic programming up through the .net stuff for the last 36
years now, and i would not want to take on a project like that myself. i
could do it, but it would take some time and i would want someone else to
check over all the security stuff and test it out. and if my boss came to
me and wanted me to do something like you describe i would have no problem
telling him why it wasn't a one person job and what skills were needed to do
it properly, and since he knows me well enough he would listen and take my
advice. sometimes its better to pass on a project than to do it in a hurry
and cause more problems than it fixes.
 
M

Mark Andrews

I would look into:
- ASP or ASP.NET (server-sdie code)
- Javascript (client-side code)
- SQL Server (instead of using Access for tables/queries/views)
- A good third party data grid
- My product www.rptsoftware.com for Access reports over the web

HTH,
Mark Andrews
RPT Software
http://www.rptsoftware.com
 
B

B. Comrie

Have you thought about the position of Project Manager?
No one can be all things, pick the area you want to focus on... IE:
ASP.NET/ADO.NET then contract out the webserver setup, security and other
such tasks.

Word of advise.... plan and document the entire project first. this will
show you where you need to enhance your skill level or bring in outside
resources. The more time you spend planning a project means the less time
you have to spend re-doing it.
I recommend "The Software Project Survival Guide." as a good starting point.
(it's inexpensive as well $20.00.)
http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/books/1332.asp

B Comrie
http://www.codewidgets.com
 
I

Ismail Akinci

I have been asked to create a multi user, multi company, web accessed
database with input screens, security with limited write access, authorized
read, reports including exports to Excel for automated graphic metrics.

Having only written Access databases before, never anything for the web,
where do I start? I don't know ASP, Java, HTML or php, etc...

I am prepared to go to school to learn this but have no idea what classes I
should be taking, at what kind of schools. Obviously I need to learn this
quickly...

Mich
Click to expand...
 
M

Mark Andrews

Start with asp or asp.net, javascript for client-side code and basic HTML
skills.
Possibly also SQL Server (If you have that).

Checkout our product when you are ready to do web based reporting.

Mark
RPT Software
http://www.rptsoftware.com
 
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