Create pages on the fly with database - newbie

[habib]

Ok I'm a newbie to databases. Please assume I know nothing.
I am starting a new project and want to create a web page that is dynamically created using a database. I am planning to use JSP as its the only language im familiar with.

What I am looking for is a maybe a tutorial on creating a simple DB and how to link it to my web page?

Also there are a lot of catchphrases like SQL, ASP, XML etc? What should I specifically need to know to create a simple DB backend for my webpage?

Can I use JSP with an excel spreadsheet as my database or Access?

Any suggestions for books that cover this subject?

Thank you for your time.
HR

[RadarBob]

Foremost, be patient. There is a lot to learn. From my experience from going it alone with books and forums like this one, the learning curve is very long and very frustrating. Take formal classes with a live teacher if possible.

Basically every book on any subject having to do with web programming has been disappointing to some degree. ASP books by Wrox publishing are particularly crap in my opinion. Probably because I'm *totally* stuck on a problem that thousands of pages from three of these books doesn't even address the issue. http://www.codingforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6673

Anyway, this style of book is typical; they talk a lot, show quite a bit, have an uncanny ability to skip details I need, and don't really teach what they show. Don't give me a fish, I want to learn how to catch fish! so to speak. I find if I have to deviate from the "show and tell" examples in these books, I'm on my own. In another book, on VBScript (O'Reilly publishing), the author says basically "never mind about the WHILE loop, you don't want to use it." So much for learning a language when the author ignores basic stuff.

You might check out The Complete Internet & World Wide Web programming Training Course by Deitel & Deitel. It'll give you a taste of the broad spectrum of stuff that is programming for the web. Besides, I particularly like Deitel & Deitel books. They teach.

OK, one book I recommend: Pure JavaScript is a wonderful, comprehensive, complete reference book. Absolutely recommended.

[boxer_1]

Cross-posted here: http://www.codingforums.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=31743#post31743 . Closing thread.