Developer Forum

I am new to creating databases but I am learning. Could anyone let me know the advantages and disadvantages of both. And what would you recommend.

In article <ed0q73$ilj$ XXXX@XXXXX.COM >,



If you use Access through the COM mechanism, you're stuck with running
your site on a Microsoft OS. I don't know if you'd be able to find such
an ISP and may have to build and maintain your own server in a
co-location arrangement. Most M$ ISP use SQL Server rather than Access.
This costs a LOT more to develop on. And you may pay a yearly license
fee.

In contrast, PHP with MySQL (and the other Open Source databases) are
more prevalent and usually cheaper. I haven't looked at the features of
Access vs. MySQL, but many sites run very large databases (SPAMCOP has
millions of records).

--
DeeDee, don't press that button! DeeDee! NO! Dee...

Access is very popular with web developers because it has a "friendly"
user interface. It's also easy to upload to a website because the
database is a single file that you upload in the same way as a web page
or an image. However, Access is designed as a small office tool (that's
why it's part of the Microsoft Office suite). It creates very large
files, even if you have only a few records; and it breaks down if more
than a handful of people attempt to access it simultaneously. It's OK
for small, low-traffic websites, but not the ideal solution.

MySQL is a relational database management system. It is capable of
storing millions of records, is very fast, and can handle a large number
of simultaneous requests in its stride. However, what puts a lot of
beginners off is that it doesn't have a glossy interface (although you
can get free and commercial interfaces to overcome this). Also, it
stores data in a common data store, so you need to transfer data to a
remote server by "dumping" your records to a SQL file, which you then
use to load the data into the target database.

When someone first recommended MySQL to me about five years ago, I was
terrified by the unfamiliar way it worked. However, within about a day,
I realized it was incredibly easy to use. If you want to learn about
databases, I would say: forget Access. Either use MySQL or consider MS
SQL Server. Use a database designed for the job, not something designed
for small office use.

--
David Powers
Adobe Community Expert
Author, "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8" (friends of ED)
http://www.yqcomputer.com/

Is there a tutorial that you may be able to recommend on how to build (in Dreamweaver) and understand MYSQL databases?

I appreciate all of the info you gave me.

On Wed, 30 Aug 2006 05:07:41 +0000 (UTC), "joey_a"




I think it's going to take a bit more than a simple tutorial. However,
if you're willing to spend a little time and effort, perhaps this will
get you started:

Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8
http://www.yqcomputer.com/

Gary

I am willing to put the time and effort to learn it. I think you forgot the link to what will help me get started.

The link Gary gave you was to my book, "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver
8". The link is also in my sig. My book will get you started with the
basics of both PHP and MySQL, and take you to an intermediate level. If
you want to take MySQL more seriously, anything written by Paul DuBois
is excellent. I refer constantly to one of his books, called simply
"MySQL". However, it's a 1,300-page brick, so may be not the best to
start with.

--
David Powers
Adobe Community Expert
Author, "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8" (friends of ED)
http://www.yqcomputer.com/

In article <ed3i2f$2as$ XXXX@XXXXX.COM >,




http://www.yqcomputer.com/
http://www.yqcomputer.com/
http://www.yqcomputer.com/
http://www.yqcomputer.com/

This should get your started.

--
DeeDee, don't press that button! DeeDee! NO! Dee...

On Wed, 30 Aug 2006 07:30:52 +0000 (UTC), "joey_a"



As David points out, I didn't forget the link.

Gary

Oh sorry about that, the book I should get is PHP Web Development with DW MX 2004?

On Wed, 30 Aug 2006 15:38:25 +0000 (UTC), "joey_a"




What version of Dreamweaver are you using?

Gary

No, the one that everyone has recommended is "Foundation PHP for
Dreamweaver 8" ( http://www.yqcomputer.com/ ). It's much more
up to date than the other one.

--
David Powers
Adobe Community Expert
Author, "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8" (friends of ED)
http://www.yqcomputer.com/