Front Page Database Question

Should I use Access or another route?

[dloreski]

Hi all. I'm new to this forumn and just a novice at building websites. I'm using Frontpage 2003. What I need to do is list a product with about 5 different searchable fields. There would end up being many of the product in the site (probably eventually several thousand), and I want the user to be able to select the options of the product and for the web site to bring up the results based on their input. I've read up some on this and it's all quite overwhelming. I would be the only one directly entering the data into the website. Can I build an access DB and import it easily into frontpage or is there a better route to go? Thanks.

[edited by: mack at 10:50 am (utc) on Jan. 15, 2005]
[edit reason] No email addresses please. [/edit]

[mcjohnson]

I would suggest building the database in mySql is your server offers this, and coding the search and return function in PHP. I am in the process of building a similar site for a client and although I am using FP2003 for the editing, the editor is really irrelevant.

It's having access to MySQL via your server, and understanding enough of PHP scripting to create the search and return functions. It's overwhelming at first, but not impossible, because PHP/MySQL interaction is everywhere on the net.

I'd pick up MySQL/PHP for dummies or some similar text and just start building. IN no time, you'll understand it and will be able to do exactly what you're describing.

Good luck,

pat

[mack]

I tend to aggree with mcjohnson it is fairly simple to get to grips with the basics of php/mysql in a very short time.

Im most cases you will have mysql as part of your hosting plan. If not you shoudl be able to arange this. Almost all hosting plans will allow you to run php scripts.

Mack.

[Didski]

I too am building a site using MS FrontPage 2003 and wish to building a property website which uses a MySQL database to store the information and produce the results. I know how to use PHPadmin as i have used it for my forum i created, but do not know how to use the MySQL database for producing a property search and results. I want the client to be able to add the properties and alter them in the database but not sure how to do it!

[MatthewHSE]

Didski, you should be able to find a ready-made script that will do what you need. Check out [hotscripts.com...] and see what you can find.

[thedevshop]

In general Access is much easier to manage as starting point. Publishing your data is as simple as FTPing your MDB file. mySQL is popular but a little more work in managing data.

You may want to make your web site data driven (ie have your database on your site, this makes it easier for searching, sorting etc as it grows).

Take a look at dbQwikSite (www.dbQwikSite.com) it will generate data driven web pages by reading your database.