.net development

[level200]

Hi Guys

in the past I have created gallerys, news tools using asp vb and an access database, i feel that it is about time that I started doing it properly and lear .net and use a real database :D such as mysql or mssql.

I have not used either database before, could anyone give me a quick breakdown, step by step even on how to:

create the database
create fields in the database
link to the database
work locally in dreamweaver and still link to the database?Everything else I will learn myself.

Also any other advice or tips will be great.
Cheers
John

[sladmin]

Hey John,

You might find it easier than you think!! Personally I would stick with ASP VB because if you know it already why change? I use ASP VB with MYSQL db's and it works like a treat :D

First thing you need to do is create the database in helm on the domain of your choice. (Remember to select the mysql 4 / 5 option. Personally I'd stick with MySQL4 for now and move on to 5 when your are more comfortable). Also remember to create a username and password for the database.
Once you have created the database in Helm go to http://phpmyadmin.ourhelmcp.com/ (http://phpmyadmin.ourhelmcp.com/)and login using the username and password when you created the database.

You may find the interface of PHPMYADMIN a little confusing at first, but you'll soon pick it up. Firstly you need to create a table and its fields. Go to "Databases" then click the database of your choice (In this case it would be the database you just created in Helm). You will then see a section that says "Create new table on database". Enter a table names and the number of fields you require. If you have any problems here let meknow, PHPMYADMIN can be a bit confusing to start with.

From there on I'm guessing you'll know how to setup a table as all database structures are similar.

To connect in dreamweaver we won't we using a DSN. Instead we will be using a DSN-LESS connection. This means we cut out the process of going to the DSN on the system and going straight to the MYSQL Server therefore speeding up our database interaction with web pages.


**This would be a good time to take a break, there's more yet!**



An example of a DSN-LESS connection is below:

"Driver={MySQL ODBC 3.51 Driver};Server=sql02; Database=mydatabase; User=myuser; Password=mypassword;"Inside Dreamweaver go to the Application Window and click databases. Click the little '+' button and select "Custom Connection String". Enter the code above into the box but change the details to match your database and user.

Select the "Use driver on testing server" option and click test. If you set everything up properly it should connect ok and you should be able to view your tables in dreamweaver. **Fingers Crossed**

However if you run into problems or you get error messages when trying to test the connection you may need to download an update for dreamweaver. I spent hours trying to work out how to fix this, eventually I found a fix so PM me or post here and I'll email you the update.

Also check that you have set up a testing server in your site settings, this could lead to connection troubles.

Well I realise that is a lot to go through and I wish you the best of luck. If you run into any trouble or you have any problems give me shout on here, MSN or email.

All the best, ;)

[level200]

Hi Adam

Thanks for the great reply, very helpful indeed.

Thanks
John

[sladmin]

Your very welcome John!

Let me know if there is anything else you need help with :thumbup1:

[siphilp]

Asp.net and mysql... hmmmm

I would personally use mssql as there are some very good data application blocks out there that make life a whole lot easier when your business logic is talking to your data layer. With mysql it looks like there are only 3 :S

I haven't looked at mysql since god, years ago and at that point mysql didn't have stored procedures, i believe the new version does?

With VS and MSSQL obviously being Microsofts products you will find that connecting your application to a datasource very easy along with binding data to server controls.

With MS SQL 2005 there are some very funky features

http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/5/d/a5db90cc-2028-4860-8a24-9a5e3e6a1c05/SQL_Programmability_Data_Access_Datasheet.pdf

I think again it's down to personal preference. For me it's asp.net sql server

Presentation - Business - Data(microsoft data application block )


Si

[sladmin]

Did you manage to get anywhere with this John? How are you finding it?

[level200]

To be honest I'm now more confused that ever, I like the idea of phpmyadmin as i can visually setup the database. what confuses me is using mysql with asp.net as I have always thought that it was used with PHP only. Does mssql have a similar database setup as phpmyadmin?

I will only be creating basic web applications such as news tool and gallery tool's. mysql seems simple to setup and manage but i'm concerned that some of my dreamweaver extensions that I have from interaka http://www.interaktonline.com/Products/ will not work with mysql.

I'm just looking through the website to find out.

[Ben Collier]

Asp.net and mysql... hmmmm

I would personally use mssql as there are some very good data application blocks out there that make life a whole lot easier when your business logic is talking to your data layer. With mysql it looks like there are only 3 :S

I haven't looked at mysql since god, years ago and at that point mysql didn't have stored procedures, i believe the new version does?

With VS and MSSQL obviously being Microsofts products you will find that connecting your application to a datasource very easy along with binding data to server controls.

With MS SQL 2005 there are some very funky features

http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/5/d/a5db90cc-2028-4860-8a24-9a5e3e6a1c05/SQL_Programmability_Data_Access_Datasheet.pdf

I think again it's down to personal preference. For me it's asp.net sql server

Presentation - Business - Data(microsoft data application block )


Si

Yeah I have to agree, I find that MS SQL and Visual Studio integrate seemlessly, especially in 2005. It guides you through wizards and often does all the hard work for you!

Visual Web Developer Express and SQL Management Studio Express are both free downloads, but are great in getting started in dynamic pages. There are plenty of resource materials for each of them, and plenty tutorials about to get you started.

I know this isn't relevant as you're using dreamweaver, but Visual Web Developer might be an ideal resource to learn the skills then transfer them to dreamweaver.

Oh and your dreamweaver plugins- do they need a database to work? or are you concerned about them being able to work on a database enabled page?
If you add database functionality to a page it shouldn't affect them, but if they require a database it could well be specific to mySQL or MSSQL.

Hope this helps,
Ben

[andysears]

I moved from MS SQL 2000 and Access to MySQL all with ASP VB and found no real problem.. Particularly liked SQL YOG ( http://www.webyog.com/en/) to administer the db's

[level200]

I'm wanting to use dreamweaver to create a simple dynamic site but am having problems making a database connection to mysql.

Has anyone used dreamweaver to connect to mysql4 before, if so how?

Cheers
John

[siphilp]

presume you have looked here

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/knowledgebase/index.cfm?id=tn_16575

Installing and playing about with wordpress yeserday is the first time in years that i have touched on php or mysql.

If you run out of options or it's doing your head in Why don't you try and get a connector for .net and reference in your code behind rather than connecting through dreamweaver.

http://www.mysql.com/products/connector/net/ (http://www.mysql.com/products/connector/net/)

[level200]

Seems too complicated for something that I have done very very simply in the past just using an access database.

Is it me??

[siphilp]

have you tried the adobe link?

Could be you've not clicked a check box or something really minor?

[level200]

Edited: fixed now, i'm using access instead.. i know its not ideal but its only a very small site and wont really have the traffic.. anyway connecting to mysql is giving me a headache, why cant it be as simple as connecting to access?

[level200]

When trying to view my .asp page locally on iis http://localhost it keeps asking me for a username and password. I havent used iis for ages and have forgotton the password. How can I disable the password?

Cheers
John

[sladmin]

Hi John,

Maybe the password is in the configuration in IIS. I have no idea about IIS locally, not on XP PRO at least.

Also if you need some more help with MySQL then give me a shout and I'll be happy to help.

Access is not really very good at databases on the web, at least not when the database starts to fill up. Speed is an issue with Access.

All the best,