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HTMLHelp Forums _ Databases _ Where to start with MS SQL?

Posted by: denmarks Jul 3 2011, 01:15 PM

My web host gives me a free MS SQL database. I have been a programmer so it is no big problem learning the language. I just need an understanding of how to initially create the database and how do I pass the instructions to it and get results back. I can collect data and display it using Javascript but I need an interface to the database. For example lets say I wanted a simple survey at my site where I kept track of multiple choice answers and displayed results when asked for. Where would I even start? Do I need any special programs or can everything be done from HTML?

Posted by: Christian J Jul 3 2011, 05:44 PM

You can use a server-side scripting language, like ASP or PHP. For the latter, see http://php.net/manual/en/book.mssql.php

Posted by: denmarks Jul 4 2011, 09:40 AM

QUOTE(Christian J @ Jul 3 2011, 03:44 PM) *

You can use a server-side scripting language, like ASP or PHP. For the latter, see http://php.net/manual/en/book.mssql.php


Would this be a simple example of how MS SQL would work?
I would use Javascript as my input and output processing.
I pass data to MS SQL and data is returned.
MS SQL actually consists of a compiled program which uses MS SQL instructions as its source and it works on the database.
Separate software is needed to actually create this compiled program. It is not interpreted like Javascript or Basic.

You must understand that even though I have done programming using databases this was years ago and on mainframe computers. I have never done it on a PC or the internet. All my current "databases" are fixed data withing a script that Javascript works on. I have never used external files. For what I want to do it may not be worth the trouble or expense.

Posted by: Brian Chandler Jul 4 2011, 11:10 AM

QUOTE(denmarks @ Jul 4 2011, 11:40 PM) *


Would this be a simple example of how MS SQL would work?
I would use Javascript as my input and output processing.
I pass data to MS SQL and data is returned.
MS SQL actually consists of a compiled program which uses MS SQL instructions as its source and it works on the database.
Separate software is needed to actually create this compiled program. It is not interpreted like Javascript or Basic.


No, basically. I think javascript is completely the wrong place to start from.

I don't know anything about MS SQL, I presume the microsoft effort; doesn't your host also provide free MySQL?

You need a way to create and maintain database information ("backstage"); and you need to write server scripts which access the database, and present required results as an html page. There may also be live updates to the database if for example you are keeping track of customer orders.

For the backstage jobs, for MYSQL I recommend phpmyadmin: you can manually set up the database structures quite easily; depending on how much data there is, you can enter it directly, or just write a program to assist adding it in. (For example, I have a database of cardboard cartons -- dimensions, weight, price etc -- and I just add new sorts directly with phpmyadmin. For things updated all the time, like the puzzle range in my shop, I have programs customised to the way I want to add them.)

You should probably start by reading a book or tutorial on "Using PHP/MySQL for database-backed websites", or whatever it is if you really want to go the Microsoft way.

(I can't make any sense of your last line "Separate software..."; if that helps...)



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