Form > Database > Interogation - ASP????

Greg · 13 Jul 2007 at 11:12

Guys,

I've used a little bit of ASP in the past, but I have a problem that I need a hand with.

I need to generate a front end form for *** users to enter their data into, have a database that stores it (they'll be entering this data each month) and then a method of interogating the database so that statistics can be dished out.

Could someone point me in the general direction of what I need to be doing.

Many thanks

Greg

noob · 13 Jul 2007 at 11:34

Hi mate, I'm bit confused do you want to store the code for the actual form in a database or just have a form users can enter data into and that data is stored in a database.

Also, which database do you want to use? You have a choice, SQL Server, SQL Express or Access?

Do you really want to use ASP or can you use ASP.NET? As for the statistics they should be straight forward you can generate queries for that.

Greg · 13 Jul 2007 at 11:43

noob said:
Hi mate, I'm bit confused do you want to store the code for the actual form in a database or just have a form users can enter data into and that data is stored in a database.

Also, which database do you want to use? You have a choice, SQL Server, SQL Express or Access?

Do you really want to use ASP or can you use ASP.NET? As for the statistics they should be straight forward you can generate queries for that.

I was thinking of having an "HTML" page on the desktop for each of the users with a 'form' that the user will enter their data thats then sent back to a database in the UK. Then this end, I'll interogate the database and get statistics, like up time, down time bandwidth etc.

I'm really not fussed which type of database I use, whichever is the easiest to use.

Greg

noob · 13 Jul 2007 at 11:49

Greg said:
I was thinking of having an "HTML" page on the desktop for each of the users with a 'form' that the user will enter their data thats then sent back to a database in the UK. Then this end, I'll interogate the database and get statistics, like up time, down time bandwidth etc.

I'm really not fussed which type of database I use, whichever is the easiest to use.

Greg

Interesting, You cannot have a HTML page (input form) on the desktop it will have to be on a server, you can put a link on the desktop to a page on the server, when they click on the link it loads the page. If you want a form on the desktop you will need to go down the VB.NET (or VB) route. With this you can create a small app to be on the desktop which will interface with the DB in the UK.

Greg · 13 Jul 2007 at 12:04

noob said:
Interesting, You cannot have a HTML page (input form) on the desktop it will have to be on a server, you can put a link on the desktop to a page on the server, when they click on the link it loads the page. If you want a form on the desktop you will need to go down the VB.NET (or VB) route. With this you can create a small app to be on the desktop which will interface with the DB in the UK.

sorry, thats what I meant, an IE shortcut to the page. for example.

http://192.168.1.1/reportform.asp

then that'll take them to the page that they fill in.

Make sence?

noob · 13 Jul 2007 at 12:11

Greg said:
sorry, thats what I meant, an IE shortcut to the page. for example.

http://192.168.1.1/reportform.asp

then that'll take them to the page that they fill in.

Make sence?

Ok got you that's fine. What do you want to use ASP or ASP.NET? I guess it depends on your server and what is installed.

ASP.NET would be a LOT easier.

Greg · 13 Jul 2007 at 13:22

noob said:
Ok got you that's fine. What do you want to use ASP or ASP.NET? I guess it depends on your server and what is installed.

ASP.NET would be a LOT easier.

Im not sure on the difference, I'm only after basic features, nothing fancy. Would ASP.NET be easier to use? COuld you explain the differences to me?

Thanks for your help by the way.

Greg

noob · 13 Jul 2007 at 14:41

There's no point in me going into the technical differences there's a lot. ASP.NET is easier to use and more powerful.

First download Microsoft Visual Web Developer, it's free:-

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/vwd/

You also need Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...cb-4362-4b0d-8edd-aab15c5e04f5&displaylang=en

The above download (framework) will need to go on your PC you will be using to develop on and the server you are going to use.

Now to learn ASP.NET these videos are excellent: -

http://www.asp.net/learn/videos/default.aspx?tabid=63#beginners

If you don't have much time I would say cover the following lessons: -

Lesson 1: Getting Started with Visual Web Developer Express
Lesson 2: Creating a Web Forms User Interface
Lesson 3: Understanding More About Events and Postback
Lesson 7: Databinding to User Interface Controls
Lesson 8: Working with the GridView and FormView

The above is roughly three hours of learning but you will shock yourself how easy it is to do stuff with ASP.NET and Web Developer. The lessons will teach you using C# or VB, VB is probably the easiest although you won't have to do much coding anyway because Visual Web Developer does most of the work.

Any problems let me know.

Greg · 16 Jul 2007 at 09:00

OK,

Just asked one of my colleagues. We've got ASP.net installed which is great! Thanks for the links, I'll have a good looksie and get back you guys if and when I need some more help.

Ta.

Greg