Website databases

[Boost]

Is there a tool or program that can help in the development of a website database or is it pretty much all hair pulling coding?

I have been asked to build such a database, and am hoping there is something out there that will make the process a little easier. I know, probably not easy by any means but similar to how Dreamweaver and Frontpage makes building a website a little easier, rather then writing every code line for every page.

Thanks!

[DataDink]

It depends on how indepth the DB is and what type of site it will be on internet/intranet/extranet(who will access and from where). Most small database programs give you the option to save your DB for web site access. M$ Access calls them data access pages. You can also use a program like access to link to a SQL server(for large databases). There are a couple of free versions of SQL out there for Linux and Windows.

[Boost]

Without getting too deep into it, here is the slimmed down version of what they would like.

Essentially they are looking to create a "virtual office" on their website for employees to use while traveling.

The primary thing they would like is a website accessible database containing all the contact information for clients should they need it. Sort of like Microsoft address book but online. They want to be able to retrieve client information (Names, Phone, Address, so on), edit client information if needed, or add new client information as needed.

They currently have one on a computer at the corporate office, but it's not very useful on the road.

I did create a nice one in access, but am having trouble getting it to convert over when I try to upload it to the website database. I will try your tip about saving as "data access page" and see if that works.

[Boost]

Sorry, forgot to answer some of the other questions you had.

It is an internet based database and unfortunately they use a web host for their provider so it is not on a company server. So I am confined to the restraints of that, whatever those may be. They do support MySQL though, and so far the bit on tinkering I have done has worked.

[dk]

You'll probably want to familiarize yourself with php and mysql. Your web host SHOULD have a copy of phpmyadmin for administrating mysql. That'll make things a ton easier for database creation and administration until you get your php pages set up properly. Take your access databases and put them up in mysql using phpmyadmin and then for the rest you'll want to learn a bit about php for running and outputting queries onto an actual page. Let me know once you've got the mysql databases set up and I'll try to work with you from there.

Sorry for not getting back to your pm. I was out with a fever (again) last night... I've been kinda sick since Christmas.

Postgresql is another decent web database that some hosts offer, but I'd recommend mysql over it. But I'm biased. I've used both, but I like mysql more. Postgresql definitely has some nice perks though.

[Boost]

Thanks dk!

I've actually made some progress since my last post! :thumbup:

I acquired a copy of php & MySQL for dummies <--- me, and have been reading, working/applying, reading, working/applying.

So far I have the database set up and 2 of the tables I'll need created, but other then that it is pretty much empty.

Thankfully the web host does have MySQL and phpmyadmin, and that has been a partial dream come true being it set things in place for me similar to dreamweaver with webpages.

I did try to import an access database to see if I could do that, but ended up getting some error that I can't remember at the moment.

I do now know how to get information into the database, but that'll be a looooooong process if I have to do it one by one.

What I don't know yet is how to set up a user friendly interface on the website for the employees to use to have access to the information, once it's there. Some of them are not the most puter literate so it'll have to be pretty easy as far as one form to search database...probably with a few blocks to enter a last name or first name. Another to make changes and yet another to input new customer information.

More fun then should be allowed I tell ya, but it is slowly coming along! :thumbup:

Thanks for all the help from everyone so far!

[dk]

You could probably get your access database to output a csv file for each database table. If you can do that, you can import it directly (see bottom of post) or you could build a simple php script to parse the text and input it into the tables for you row by row.

For the user interface, I recommend drawing out your ideas on paper first. Heck, I do this for database design just to get my thoughts straight. Notecards also work well. But draw out the user interface on paper and try to put as much useful data on one page as possible so that your staff don't waste time jumping between pages for each customer. Either that, or use javascript redirects after every page update to jump back to the customer main page.

The less clicks a staff member has to do, the more efficient they'll be. I'm not saying to clutter up a page, but at least have a summary page for each customer.

To import data from a text file, you can use the "upload from infile" syntax found at http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.1/en/load-data.html. Yeah, looks complicated as hell, but it's really not too bad. If you need any help, send me a csv file and I'll see what I can do about creating a script to help you. Worst case scenario: we'll just force php to import it from a csv file row by row. I can't make any promises about having the time to help you with this, but if I do find time, I will.

[Boost]

Good info dk, thank you!

I will tinker around with it and see what, if anything, I can make happen. The glitch in the system now is that currently they actually store this information in a MS Address Book file and not an Access database. The access database I created was just a templet for a more usable program to store the information in. So not sure that I can get address to translate into the online database. Luckily I think there is less then about 500 or so contacts (guesstamet) so a few good nights and I should be able to get it all inputted into the new online database...which is what I was doing till I decided to take a break and come here. :)

So worse comes to worse, that seems to be semi resolved until I come to the interface part as well as the password protected login for the virtual office. But I know that is coming up in the php & MySQL book I am working with so maybe that wont be toooo bad either. :rolleyes:

[dk]

Passwords really aren't too bad as long as you don't need to deal with encryption/decryption. I can help you with this area as well. I wish I could just come over and help you with this project. :D

[Tempestuous]

Come on over.

We have room we could set up for ya. Just be prepared for the upcoming forecast of 5 days straight of snow. Forecasting FEET of snow!!

[Boost]

I wish I could just come over and help you with this project. :D

That would be awesome!

That is why I asked you first, you are probably the most knowledgeable person I know on these types of things. Shoot, I was thinking about asking if there was any budget to bring in another expert on the matter! :D

So far so good, but I will definitely be PMing you again or posting here if...or more likely when I run into another road block. :)

[Boost]

We have room we could set up for ya. Just be prepared for the upcoming forecast of 5 days straight of snow. Forecasting FEET of snow!!

True, but maybe I could bribe him with a nice hot fire and plenty of BEER!!!

Sh*t, between the 4 computers and 2 laptops we currently have, there would be plenty of electronics to go around too!

[dk]

True, but maybe I could bribe him with a nice hot fire and plenty of BEER!!!
That'll definitely work. Screw the snow! As long as there's beer, I'll be inside! :D