Client-Side Database Queries?

[rmcmorris]

We would like to develop a CD containing HTML pages with information about our services. Is it possible to use client-side queries to a database all on the same CD? I know how to create ASP pages with databases, but I do not think you can do that on the client-side. Other CD's we have seen contain thousands of static pages rather than a database.

Regan

 

[deecee]

unfortunatly thats the only option that i know of

[Hammer]
Nike Failed Slogans -- "Just Don't Do It!"

 

[SPYDERIX]

Hi,

Could you use a microsoft access db on a cd then query it with client side programming? I don't know if it would work or not, but it is a suggestion.

 

[deecee]

maybe with access...

[Hammer]
Nike Failed Slogans -- "Just Don't Do It!"

 

[rmcmorris]

>>Could you use a microsoft access db on a cd then query it with client side programming? <<

Query it how? You certainly can do that with ASP, but ASP requires a server to generate the HTML to be displayed for your query results. You could develop an Access application, but that would require all end-users to have Access installed. The concept of delivering these CDs with HTML is that nearly all PCs have some sort of Browser.

 

[blueark]

A couple of suggestions:

1. Use Java. I'm sure there are a few data access classes out there that you could use. Assumes that your client has a java vm installed, but you could always include an installer on your CD.

2. Store your data as XML. Then find a front end that can make use of that. Newer versions of some browsers can use it in conjunction with XSL to format the data as needed. Flash also has XML functionality which can create an attractive front end. Again, include the Flash Player installer on the CD, or export your movie as a standalone.

 

[Tarwn]

Another option: If you feel comfortable with ASP there are products out there that will run off a CD as a pseudo ASP server so that you can use ASP pages from a CD. I apologize but I can't think of the products off the top of my head right now. A google search might clear it up if your interested.

-Tarwn

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[cian]

Use javascript??
For example the full text or just keywords together with other relevant details can be loaded into a wizard such as

http://www.keysiteservices.com/members/temp/searchmachine.html

allowing the user to basically search within the document.
In my opinion it's ideal for something like a CD as it won't change, unlike a website.

http://www.endamcg.com

http://www.endamcg.com/finland-gaa/

http://www.endamcg.com/macaonghusa/

 

[rmcmorris]

Interesting tool, but not really what I had in mind. That tool would search for something, but we are trying to develop an informational tool which allows users to drill down into the data.

We would accomplish this on a web server by running a query and building a web page depending on which piece of data a user selected. For example, if you had a hardware catalog, the user might see a list of various tools. If he clicked on &quot;screwdrivers&quot;, the web server would return data from the database on individual screwdrivers, prices, etc. This can be done with static pages on a CD, but the time it takes to generate the individual pages, and upkeep the price lists, etc is considerable.

I like the idea of the pseudo ASP server on the CD (Tarwn). If anyone finds such a product, please let me know.