Really Easy Sql Question

[robocop]

Ok....so im a designer. I know a little programming (Javascript, Actionscript, and some basic ASP)....But i want to know how to basically create a web-database with mySQL....can someone answer these questions for me? Ive read two 700+ page books, and still, i feel i have some unanswered questions.....hopefully these make sense :)

1:// How to i create the tables that actually make up the database? I know that with access, its as simple as adding rows and columns...is there any graphical software that will create a mySQL-compatible database? I dont want to have to code everything.....

2:// Ive read alot about "connection strings"....what are these, and how do i use them? how is this different from a DSN?

3:// Does my host need SQL support? or will a host with just ASP support work?

4:// Got any really good online tutorials with databases and dreamweaver mx?


Thank you for answering any questions that you can....and hopefully, i can be creating databases and laughing at these basic questions :)

kc:thumbsup:

[mat]

I found my although only medium-intermediate knowledge of actionscript helped alot when trying to learn other languages like php etc.. actionscript is very good i think for learning about programming things like arrays, variables, loops conditions etc that apply to all in some way.

1:// How to i create the tables that actually make up the database? I know that with access, its as simple as adding rows and columns...is there any graphical software that will create a mySQL-compatible database?

You create the table that is you first make the 'columns' or 'fields'
then you add rows with data. There are a number of GUI front end apps for doing this now, I use 'mySQL Front' and also 'textPad' for straight SQL. To use something like mySQL front or these type apps you will need mySQL and server software to be setup on your machine.

you could try phptriad [http://sourceforge.net/projects/phptriad | http://www.webattack.com/get/phptriad.shtml ] which basically installs php,mysql+apache server VERY easily on your machine.



2:// Ive read alot about "connection strings"....what are these, and how do i use them? how is this different from a DSN?

DSN = Data source Network, do you mean DNS? (Domain Name System) :confused:

Connection string is for connectiong to your database, a little bit of code you will have to include in your script before you can do anything with the database. it would be slightly different depending on what database you are using, language and host etc. An example of a connection string would be:

COLDFUSION
<CFQUERY NAME="someName" datasource="databaseName" username="user" password="pass">


PHP
mysql_connect('localhost','iser','pass');
mysql_select_db('databaseName');

ASP
<%
connString = "Driver={MySQL};" _
& "SERVER=localhost;" _
& "DATABASE=databaseName;" _
& "UID=user;" _
& "PASSWORD=pass"
Set connection = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
%>


3:// Does my host need SQL support? or will a host with just ASP support work?

It needs 'database support' SQL is the language which talk to the database. You need a scripting language like ASP, PHP etc and a database of some sort mySQL, access etc.


4:// Got any really good online tutorials with databases and dreamweaver mx?

Hmm well no, and this is just my worthless opinion but if you want to actually learn a scripting language and database interaction etc then hand code it.

There are ****loads of tutorials and resources on this, some helpful many not. get to know google well. :)

[robocop]

Thanks!!

DSN (i think)- is the data source name that you set up in ODBC......what is that basically? does this eliminate the need for connection strings? what does ODBC and DSN essentially do? *again, new at this*


also, where do i put the connection string if i use one....like in the header of the page?


Im primarily planing on using dreamweaver to build my search, display, and update pages.....just so ya all know......


thank you for all the help!!!:thumbsup:

[mat]

'data source name' ;) that too!

I take it you plan to use asp? and is this going to be running on your local machine first or just on a webhost?

[robocop]

Well, i plan on testing on a local machine (mine) and uploading to a remote host.....hostdepot.com is who im gonna go through i think......like i said, im really new at this......its kinda like if someone was like...."these are the tools you need to learn to use"....i could go learn them....but at this point.....i dont even know that much :) what is the Data Source Name anyway? i know its more or less a way to identify a certain database...and ODBC is more or less a way for a lot of software to talk to a database....correct?

thanks so much for putting up and helping resolve my incompetence :)

kc

[robocop]

anyone out there have any ideas for graphical mySQL database software?

[bcarl314]

phpMyAdmin is a nice web based GUI for mySQL administration.

[mat]

mySQL Front

[robocop]

Sweet...ill check some of these out...i think that there is a way to use access to create the actual database and export it as SQL.....i think that method will work.......anyone heard of this?

kc