.hta and .php/mysql

Can I use .hta's for pulling mysql data

[crxchaos]

I'm so stumped by this problem I didn't even know which forum to post it in so fingers crossed this is OK.

I am in the early stages of creating a CRM with which to track our customer information. My original plan is to use php/mysql as it allows us to access the data from either Windows or Linux. This bit is no problem for me.

However, I just remembered about MS HTML Applications (.hta) and now I'm really interested in the benefits of customising the application window for Windows users. I have not used HTML Applications properly before and don't know much about them.

First of all, does anybody know if it is possible to create an .hta that is driven by php/mysql rather than static html?

Secondly, do you think it is feasible to create an .hta that renders the pages from our (local) Apache server. My plan is these pages, rather than the .hta, could then be accessed from Linux machines for all round compatability.

I have tried searching around for others' experiences but very little seems to be documented about hta use.

Regards.

[griz_fan]

"First of all, does anybody know if it is possible to create an .hta that is driven by php/mysql rather than static html?"
I can't say for certain, but I'm guessing not. These .hta files seem to be a proprietary Microsoft technology, and I'd doubt that Microsoft would put any effort into tying this into an open-source database or scripting language.

"Secondly, do you think it is feasible to create an .hta that renders the pages from our (local) Apache server. My plan is these pages, rather than the .hta, could then be accessed from Linux machines for all round compatability."
Here is a link that might shed some more light on the topic:
[msdn.microsoft.com...]

Since .hta files require IE to run, it sounds like client-side rather than server-side processing takes place, so you wouldn't get very far accessing these from Linux machines. In the end, it sounds like far more work than to simply build the system using PHP/MySQL (or .NET/SQL Server, etc...)

[crxchaos]

I have already read that resource, griz_fan. Thanks for the reply though.

After sleeping on the idea I have begrudgingly decided it can not be done :(

My rough idea was to have apache parse .hta files as php so they would query the database then the result would be viewable by MS HTML Application host. I could have also used some browser/OS sniffing to serve .html files to linux users rather than .hta's.

But it doesn't seem do-able, never mind! Thanks for your time.