Sending data to SQL Server

[Steve_B]

Hi,

I am building a solution to allow a user to upload shape data to SQL Server
and I have a couple of questions.

1) Is it possible to include more attributes than just the shape data, but
also details of the process model file such as it's title, version, etc? I
could do with having the file name in every column of shape data for example.

2) It's quite a few clicks to export the data to an SQL database (about 5 or
6). Is there a way to have this feature available say next to the floppy disc
save icon?

Steve

 

[AlEdlund]

Since you're building a solution, then you understand the ability to write a
record to SQL has nothing to do with Visio. The developer/architect creates
the necessary schema and then creates the data definition/data source to act
upon it. The analysis of the drawing to gather the data is a different step
and I'd really recommend that you start with Visio2010 if you're doing
anything with process management.

The number of 'button clicks' is also up to the developer to resolve as you
develop your custom data access layer.

al

 

[Steve_B]

I'm not sure I follow, how do I go ahead and create the schema and data source?
How would I also develop a custome data access layer?

Sorry this is something I've obviously never done before.

Steve

 

[AlEdlund]

Let's start with some basic questions. What language are you going to write
your solution in? You have two sets of platforms that you will have to feel
comfortable in programming with a.) visio and b.) your database. The Visio
stuff is pretty much documented over here

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa245244(office.10).aspx

with working examples over here

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FamilyID=373d34b8-5ef7-4e6e-a582-c8d6b5ee4e33

There are lot's of sql coding examples in Visual Studio (assumes you're
going with a .Net implementation based on your desire to use SQL). The
suggestion for v2010 was based on your desire to work with process models.
Check over here for some discussions on that

http://blogs.msdn.com/visio/default.aspx

al

 

[Steve_B]

I have experience of database programming, I've used VB, .NET, etc in the
past too and thank you for the information. On browsing it looks really
useful.

I'm going to see what I can do with Visio 2007 for now because of the
customer base. Essentially the solution requires data from shapes to be
uploaded to an SQL server table which then needs to transform that data so
that OLAP can do some processing of it. As simple as this process can be for
the user the better, I thought Visio features alone could handle this without
the need for programming. Then again I have little experience with the
application.

Steve

 

[AlEdlund]

The database wizard can be called via macro (it's a batch process) to move
between an external source and back. It's limited to the shape/user data
that is available. Your requirement for 'custom' records to be sent to sql ,
where data is not in shape drives the need for custom code.
al