What platform/language to use?

[fiamq]

Hi. I hope this question isn't to vague. I'm after some advice on how to set up an application that will take a snapshot of data from a central database (probably MySQL) and store it on a laptop so that it can then be used by travelling salesmen. I was thinking the data could be stored in an MS Access database (there won't be much data), but I'm not sure how to use an Access database through a Web application. Can Javascript make use of data directly from a Access database, or does it require an application server like ASP? If anyone has any advice on how I can use Access and JS to do this, or if I should be using something completely different, I'd really appreciate the help.

Thanks

Sean

[PeOfEo]

Java script cannot access data bases or manipulate files in any way shape or form because the code is executed client side. You need a server side language. ASP and ASP.NET can directly access and update access data bases and I have even seen them manipulate excel documents. They can also use sql server etc. If you are interested in mysql you will want php. You might also look into an xml data base for little bits of data.

[fiamq]

So if the database is located on the user's PC (not on a server somewhere), is there a way to get to the data using a web based app?

[Bullschmidt]

Yes if the OS is something like XP Pro it can contain Microsoft IIS for free which can run Web sites. That's what I use on my local PC when developing.

And here is some info about ASP which is a natural along with Access databases.

Here is something I put together about ASP that hopefully might help somehow.

You and others can have access to a database hosted on the Web from any location that has a browser with an Internet connection.

The Web database concept makes sense if you and your people want to do work in various locations in or outside the office and still be "plugged" in.

For example you could have employees enter timesheets or have sales reps log their contacts. Or perhaps you'd like customers to be able to check the status of their orders online without having to call the company.

If you want a Web database, typically what would happen is that a database such as Access or MySQL (basically just consisting of tables) would be put on the Web.

Then "dynamic" Web pages (actually ASP pages which include VBScript, HTML, and/or JavaScript) would be created acting like the old desktop database's queries, forms, and reports to access the database - all hosted on a Web Server.

Dynamic Web pages are similar in many ways to regular HTML pages. But they are "live" because the user can read from and write to information in the database. An example where you can login and add, edit, or view fictional customers and invoices is at http://www.bullschmidt.com/login.asp

Not all Web hosts will handle dynamic Web pages but many do. The Web hosts that can handle ASP pages usually have a Windows 2000 operating system running an IIS Web server.

Here are a few good ASP sites:
o ASP101 Samples - http://www.asp101.com/samples
o W3Schools ASP Tutorial - http://www.w3schools.com/asp
o Microsoft VBScript Language Reference - http://msdn.microsoft.com/scripting/default.htm?/scripting/VBScript/doc/vbscripttoc.htm

And the following newsgroup is good:
microsoft.public.inetserver.asp.general

Or for a "quick and dirty" generic ASP open source solution to putting databases on the Web that just requires setting up a configuration page for each table or query and uploading the database to the Web as long as there is an autonumber field in each table (and you'll probably also separately want to create login capabilities), perhaps try something like this:
GenericDB by Eli Robillard
http://www.genericdb.com and then click on the Tips link to see an example

[Khalid Ali]

If I understood you correctly

you said
application that will take a snapshot of data from a central database (probably MySQL) and store it on a laptop so that it can then be used by travelling salesmen.

for purpose above you don't have to complicate matters so that runa web server and then run an ASP/JSP/PHP app to showyou the database.

Yoou can import required data from the MySQL database using odbc bridge between access and MySQL and then use the info from access directly,this will save hella allot of time and effort that will require to maintain and create a database enabled web aplication.
Just MHO

[fyrestrtr]

Depending on what you mean by "used by salesmen" you really don't need a browser, server, application etc.

MySQL can export to XML

If the nature of the data is such that it is not time sensitive, then you definately don't need a server.

However, if you have an application on the salesmen's laptops that is going to be using the data and is expecting a database, you then have a few options.

1. You can install mysql on their laptops and export the data to there, and then when they come back in, import it again.

2. You can use MSDE (which is a lite version of MSSQL) and do the same as number 1.

[fiamq]

Thanks for the advice everyone. The salesmen will have relatively static data (it will probably be updated each evening) on their laptops that will need to be accessed by various apps, although I suppose it doesn't have to be a web based app. Still not sure what I'm going to do, but thanks for the ideas!

Sean Evans