RE: [cobalt-users] A bit of help with mysql? - raq4r

["Ligard, Vidar" <vligard@xxxxxxxxx>]

Please excuse my top-post. Wasn't easy to know where to insert on this one :)

Some basic advise on design concepts.

The actual database should be of some sql kind (MS SQL, postgreSQL, mySQL will all work). Stay away from MS Access, it's support for multiusers is really bad. mySQL will work.

On converting data from MS Access. I've done this several times myself, and found the easiest way is to:
1. Create your mySQL database tables
2. Define a DSN (ODBC Connection) from your workstation to the mySQL database
3. Link the mySQL tables into your MS Access database
4. Copy the content over to mySQL

You can design the front-end to your database in any server-side script language on your web server (php, cgi/perl, asp, java, coldFusion, etc.) For a small application, keeping the backend (mySQL stuff) on the same server as the frontend (PHP stuff) should be fine, but when you get into larger applications, you do not want this on the same server.

If you are security minded, create two separate applications. One PHP application that has read only access to the data for the public to use. You should set up a mySQL user which only has read access, create an ODBC or JDBC connection using this readonly user, then use this connection (DSN) in your public application.

The other application is for your office, and should be in an area the public cannot get to. This should use a DSN based on a mySQL user with write access to the database. In our house, these application are kept on a web server on the intranet, where there is no chance of the public getting to it. I like to have fields with timestamps and ip addresses or userid whenever data is added to or updated. Should there be a breach, this makes tracking down the problem so much easier.

Here is a tutorial for PHP / mySQL:
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/programming/php/tutorials/tutorial4.html
Go through the links on the left for lessons 1-3

Or try a google search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=php+mysql+tutorial

HTH,
Vidar
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cobalt-users-admin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> [mailto:cobalt-users-admin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jim Dory
> Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2003 12:42 PM
> To: Cobalt Users List
> Subject: [cobalt-users] A bit of help with mysql? - raq4r
> 
> 
> I've embarked on this project to get a database set up for public web 
> viewing. I have begun researching it yesterday and so far all morning 
> today. There is a lot to know, so was helping for a jumpstart 
> on a few 
> questions. I am researching the archives, but hoping for more 
> specific help.
> 
> I have the raq4 as a web/email server for our city government. I have 
> been told to get our MS Access database of property info on 
> the web. I'm 
> hoping to be able to convert that to mysql and serve it and 
> administer 
> it from our website. I'm hoping to allow the public to view the data, 
> and our clerk's department to be able to manage the data. I'm 
> the site 
> admin. Or perhaps I can just upload the database periodically if they 
> insist on keeping with Access and there's not an easy 
> conversion. Right 
> now the Access database is very simple- I think pretty much just raw 
> data and not much for forms/etc.
> 
> My version of mysql is 3.23.37-1 and my php is 4.0.6-c5.  I'm 
> a complete 
> noob with databases - but hope to learn enough to get this working.
> 
> I've seen packages of phpmyadmin referred to and it seems to 
> be a good 
> thing for me: I would like to try it - should I beware installing it 
> (and possibly updating my php and mysql packages) from source or just 
> stick with purchasing it from someone like nuonce? (Manager 
> is gone for 
> a couple weeks so I may have to buy with my own dollars and 
> hope to get 
> reimbursed if it works). (I will continue searching the archives for 
> discussions related to this unless someone wants to chime in 
> with a good 
> advice or link).
> 
> I know the archives have stuff on MS Access conversion, but 
> hoping for a 
> link as I'm having trouble separating the chaff and getting 
> to the grain.
> 
> A couple examples of what I hope to eventually achieve: 
http://www.anchoragelive.com/viewer.htm  (this one is my ultimate except 
a bit slow). Pick a generic last name to see how it works. smith or so. 
It uses MS IIs server. http://www.muni.org/services/departments/treasury/property/viewer.cfm  
is another from Anchorage. This is without the GIS, to get me started. http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/assessingdept/Parcel_QUERY/SEARCH.HTM is 
a simple one. I think they all use MS servers.

So I'm hoping someone will let me know if I'm on the right path - 
phpmyadmin, perhaps updating mysql and php if needed? Administering the 
database from html or just upload periodically? converters from msaccess 
to mysql?

Off to the archives and thanks for reading.. apologies to those trying 
to reduce list bandwidth!


cheers, Jim

-- 
Jim Dory, Engineering
City of Nome
PO Box 281
102 Division St.
Nome, AK 99762
907.443.6604

http://www.nomealaska.org


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