MySQL Newbie - Access user. Should I download MySQL?

[Ladyborg]

I use MS Access, and now that I'm moving a site to a Linux server I've been told I have to use MySQL for that. Now I'm a "newbie" with tons of questions about that.

Is that a free download?
Will I be able to use it on Windows XP?
Does it work pretty much like Access?

My questions probably sound pretty stupid to you, but any info you pros can give a neophyte would be greatly appreciated. Ladyborg
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." [Thomas A. Edison]

 

[KarveR]

1) its free (unless you use it commercially large scale or redistribute it etc etc.) - Website use is free, private use is free normal kind of stuff, Joe Public gets a good deal and Mr Business gets to buy it ;-)

2) Yes, download the correct version for your O/S.

3) Dunno, I kinda don't like access. Its similar in that it has tables and databases but also its very different. There is TONS of documentation and tutorials everywhere so theres no need to be nervous, also there are some helpful people to be found on quality forums here and there

Also do you use PHP, if not I'd recommend it as they go together like milk and cookies ... mmm cookies. ______________________________________________________________________
There's no present like the time, they say. - Henry's Cat.

 

[KarveR]

Oh and some links

http://www.devshed.com/Server_Side/PHP/

http://www.devshed.com/Server_Side/MySQL/

http://www.mysql.com

http://www.php.net

______________________________________________________________________
There's no present like the time, they say. - Henry's Cat.

 

[piti]

Does it work pretty much like Access?

well mysql is a database server - it does not provide you with such user interface as access - u do not create forms, views, pages and other stuff on the server

but u can create a project in access (.adp file), where u just connect to mysql, like u would connect to any other database server, and the project file will then include only your forms, pages, ... - the data is safely stored on the server ;-)
u can then distribute your project to multiple users and they will have the same data shared

 

[Ladyborg]

Piti, so just keep using access? I've never heard of an .adp file, is that an Access option? I'll look into it. So MySQL just has to be on the server and it will interpret the Access .adp file and that's it?

If so, that's cool! If there's anything I don't have is time to learn yet another program! Ladyborg
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." [Thomas A. Edison]

 

[piti]

hi

about adp:
file -> new -> project - or something like that, don't remember anymore

adp = forms, pages, code and all other stuff
mysql = data

as i remember u will just need to install an odbc driver for mysql on your win machines - there are threads in this forum, which handle this problem

btw: access will interpret the mysql data

 

[piti]

hi

i'm sorry about the wrong info

a friend of mine just told me, that access projects can connect only to ms sql servers - u will need to use the common access database and link the tables there

once again sorry

 

[Ladyborg]

NP, I really appreciate the input! Ladyborg
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." [Thomas A. Edison]

 

[Sina]

A good tool to use is frontmysql.

Its a gui front end that you can use to manage your database.
if you do a search on google you can find out.

hope this helps. Sina

http://www.realsoftstudio.com

SQLPorter Data Migration tools
Oracle, IBM DB2, SQL Server, MySQL
database migration made simple.

 

[Sina]

A good tool to use is frontmysql.

Its a gui front end that you can use to manage your database.
if you do a search on google you can find out.

hope this helps. Sina

http://www.realsoftstudio.com

SQLPorter Database Migration tools
Oracle, IBM DB2, SQL Server, MySQL
database migration made simple.

 

[Ladyborg]

I appreciate everyone's help. I'll look into it.

Thanks!
Ladyborg
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." [Thomas A. Edison]