What language and database software to use??? 1

[rtshort]

I posted the following in VB database, and I'm posting it here too. Any input will be appreciated.

I'm just about 3 months into learning VB 6.0 to develop a web application. It is going to be similar to a shopping site. I want to have a form up front to collect information about a person (e.g. shirt size, waist, inseam, & etc.) so after the form is filled out, the user can select any item in the database and it will automatically know what size to put on order.
Since I'm just starting out, I would like some input on what type programming language and etc. I need to use.
I have planned to use VB 6.0 for the front end with SQL Server on the back end and Visual Interdev to make the .asp web pages. Also Crystal Reports to let the user print or have a copy of the invoice e-mailed to them.
If anyone has any ideas or has done a similar project, I would greatly appreciate any information on the subject.
Thanks

 

[petermeachem]

I'd go and pay someone who knows what they are doing to do it for you.
Can't you use one of the prebuilt shopping things ?

 

[rtshort]

I could but I wouldn't have a job. That's what I was hired to do, and the owner knows it will take several years. I have worked on computers for 3+years, just not the programming end. I know it's a totaly different world, but I'm not stupid. I can handle it.
The app is not actually a shopping thingy, if it were I would surely take your advice belive me. That was just the only way I could think to describe it. It is actually, we belive, cutting edge.
Thanks for your response there petermeachum (love the handle by the way) and please feel free to elaborate more on the subject if you wish. ;-)

 

[petermeachem]

In several years it will be out of date! Lord knows what the Internet and computers will be like then. I didn't say you were stupid, your boss may well be. Hiring someone with no experience to write a big web site is plain daft. If I were you, I'd plod along quietly and learn as much as you can. If I were a betting man, which I'm not, I'd bet the site never sees the light of day.
Put a space in petermeachem and you get my name.

 

[rtshort]

It WILL see the light of day. I'm very well determined. I'm trying to get up on ADO as much as I can, since it is the up and comming thing with more flexability, however all of the books I have, some from MS Press, are behind therselves. If you know of any books on the subject of ADO that are up to date please let me know. In a way I'm learning to adapt the previous version of software we already have to the web and make some changes. I'm not in the dark on this thing, and he (my boss)is NOT STUPID either, nor is he poor. He has every resorce I could ever need and we WILL bring someone else in if need be. I was previously in the same business he is in, just not the software end. He wants my prior knowledge of the business for input and design, as well as keeping up the company LAN, WAN, T-1, and etc. How long did it take you to develop your first app, or have you.

 

[rtshort]

P.S. If you were a betting man, you could place your bet at any time.

 

[jmarler]

I wouldn't call VB6, ASP, and SQL server cutting edge and I have to agree with petermeachem when he says that several years is far too long to develope a web site . . . your technology level will be absolete before it is released. I really think that if you are just starting in the programming area, that you are going to need to call someone in.
OK, having said that, here are a few tips . . .

1) SQL server should be a good database for your back end.
2) You need a middle teir . . . MTS or ADSI can be used as an infastructure to support you middle tier.

3) Middle tier objects can be written in any COM/COM+ language . . . VB6 should be fine for this as long as you write the code correctly.

4) Remember that middle tier objects should be stateless.

5) Also, object references should not be passed across processes or across the network.

6) ASP will make for a good front end although I personally prefer WebClasses.

7) If you are going to use ASP along for your front end, then remember that ASP, by default, can not create an Out of Process component . . . you will need to change a registry key first.

These are only a few ideas off of the top of my head . . . remember that your program will have multiple users at the same time, so you have to design for that and make sure that your application is scalable as well as making sure that your client is as thin as possible. If you don't, your application will crash.
- Jeff Marler

http://www.JeffMarler.com

(please note, that the page is under construction)