Microsoft Access and ASP pages

[webmaniacal]

hello,

I am investigating tutorials on how to create ASP with microsoft access so that the pages update automatically with new data entered -- I am creating pages that update high school sports events so that the visitor can see the data by school, by date, etc.


Do you feel that this is an OK way to go and I am unclear as to where the database is stored -- is it on the server? Does it need to be stored on a particular machine?

I am reading tutorials on creating access ASP pages and I know access very well so that is not a concern as to how to do it.

Thank you very much for any information.

 

[Sheco]

The thing is that HTTP is based on client Request and server Response... its not a "server push" protocol.

If you look at the Sports Illustrated web page there is a function where you can monitor a baseball game ... they update the balls & strikes for each batter and keep a running log of all scores, at-bats, etc..

They have a similar function for football games.

Anyway, the "update" is driven by the browser rather than the web server. It uses some client-side javascript to automaatically refresh the page every 30, 60, or 90 seconds... the user chooses how often it is refreshed.

 

[TheCandyman]

webmaniacal,

Yes put the DB on the server. Since your using Access which is basic as far as DBs go, it needs to be on the same server or in the same network. Going to another domain isn't an option. Then it's easy, just connect to the DB, pull the records to display.

Let me know if you need help on the connection and display

 

[webmaniacal]

Candyman,

Thank you very much for your response. I have created the tables but I am having difficulty having them function correctly in ASP format.

I have four tables at present...two for each of two conferences for football so that the user can

opt to see the entire schedule for the conference or
see the team-specific information (date, team, opponent, score, win, loss, etc.) by TEAM name for all games (if the game has not yet been played then the scores will just be null and filled in on that date)

neither of these are doing well i am sad to say

the entire schedule page shows the entire schedule but one game at a time rather than in a datasheet format - i am researching how to use a form or report for asp pages but what i have found says essentially to export them which would might work for the static schedule but does not allow the user to choose the team that they would like to view all of their game information???

am I misunderstanding the idea of ASP?

Then, of course, my next step is to research the connection issues so if you have any resources that are thorough in explanation I would be greatful.

Thank you very much!

 

[tsdragon]

One thing you have to be aware of with access databases on a server is the permissions of the .mdb file and the directory it is stored in. In order to update the .mdb file via a web page the file must have read/write permissions. And since access create a lock file (.ldb) while you are updating a database, you must also set permissions on the directory the .mdb file is in to allow this file to be created and deleted. Because of this permission issue, it is best to make sure that the .mdb file is in a directory all by itself, so as not to expose other files.

This could be an issue if your web-site provider doesn't allow you to set permissions for files and directories.

Tracy Dryden

Meddle not in the affairs of dragons,
For you are crunchy, and good with mustard.

 

[webmaniacal]

question for you...is there anyway to display more records on the asp pages than the default? i have been looking at the control properties and i dont' seem to see it. it seems like a lot of bother to use three clicks to see information that could be presented in one.

thank you!

 

[TheCandyman]

Not sure what your asking. More then the default???

I have displayed a few thousand records on one page, it took a bit to load but still. Perhaps you should list some code so we can understand what you need.

 

[webmaniacal]

i dont know how to list the code its just an data page created in access and when i put a static copy of it on the net it only lists like the first 25 records and you have to click thru...if you create a grouping it only shows the group this is nuts making

 

[Tarwn]

Ah, the problem here is that we are talking about writing the code to generate the HTML pages and you are using the built-in access web forms thing. If you are planning to go that route (built-in access stuff) you may want to visit some of the MS Access forums for more information. This forum is strictly for ASP scripting, ie writing the actual ASP code that generates pages.
While some of us may know a good bit about doing those things in Access (i admit I don't) you will likely get a lot more responses in an Access-based forum. Just try to spell it out a bit more like you did in your later posts or they might send you back this way

 

[webmaniacal]

i see. I didn't think about generating it. If you use code to generate it will it then auto update? Is there a faq article or an example I might see? This is really interesting thank you! I know access very well, but I have never used it for the net.

 

[TheCandyman]

At the top of this page, look at the button that says FAQs there are lots of examples on how to do what your asking. If you don't have any programing experience you might want to find someone who can do this for you.

 

[Tarwn]

And to answer your question: Yes and No.

It is actually easier to write the code so that it always queries the database to generate fresh content. Writing in a caching method is actually a little more complex.

A couple other links that could prove useful:
ASP Tutorial:

http://www.w3schools.com/asp/asp_intro.asp

ADO Tutorial:

http://www.w3schools.com/ado/ado_intro.asp

The first tutorial might be helpful in getting your feet wet with ASP. The second outlines how to use ADO objects to connect to a database (in your case MS Access). Plus they both have references for objects, methods, etc that I still find useful at times.

 

[webmaniacal]

Thank you very much I will read them both thoroughly thank you!