Learn APEX/oracle or ASP To create Online Databases

[garyb2008]

My work now needs to share live data with the companies clients. Its simple stuff - based around one table with a few for aux info - and ive been using Zoho Creator DB but this isnt as solid as we would like...

Whats the best path for me to create these web databases?

Should i learn web page / ASP programming or is it easier/ better to learn the Oracle APEX platform (Express Edition)?

Arguments i already have for ASP...
1. Ive extensive Access experience
2. Ive used VBA quite a bit
3. I would be able to use a standard ISP host package as i read mines come with ASP and access database support
Against
1. I "know" but am inexperienced in HTML
2. Id have to learn ASP from scratch, i dont have a lot of DAO/ADO experience
3. Ive only used vbscript on WSH before

Arguments for APEX
1. Logged onto apex.oracle.com and it looks great - what i wish zoho was - easy wizards and able to get down + dirty with SQL
2. Seems to be good widgets for UI available
Against
1. Only heard of it yesterday!
2. No PL/SQL experience (ive got T-SQL experience)
3. Will i need to code client scripts, can i use vbscript?
4. Id have to set it up on my own server or a VPS, ive no HTTP server experience
5. Are the client web pages solid and reliable?

What route do you think is best for me?????

Regards

Gary

 

[oradba101]

Greetings,

Not knowing about your first option, I can say that I like using APEX. If you use Oracle 11g or 10g database express you do not need to have a HTTP server as it were. Oracle uses what is calls a "PL/SQL gateway" to handle that.

And the best part is that it is FREE!!

Regards,



William Chadbourne
Programmer/Analyst

 

[garyb2008]

Whats it like at dynamic elements on the clients webpage such as "if Q3 is answered Yes show Q4 and Q5 else hide them" and "after a new record is added using this form go to another page showing results of query x"

Is this done in PL/SQL, would i have to add/learn custom HTML scripting in vbscript/javascript?

 

[carp]

A lot of linkages to other pages/forms/rules is accomplished by checking a box or selecting a link when you're developing the page. It is not difficult to become reasonably functional with APEX by poking around and playing with it. There are also several books that do a good job of explaining how to pull everything together. I have been able to support the working needs of my company using APEX, and NEVER had to augment it with vbscript/javascript/anyscript (although you could if you wanted to).
So - it's not hard to learn, it's pretty flexible, and (as previously mentioned) it's free. It provides security through a variety of mechanisms. It works very well with your Oracle database. If you know PL/SQL and SQL, you have the requisite programming skills. It would also be something else to put on your resume. You can just about guess what my preference is!