best place to learn how to create a database

[redfishmedia]

I want to create a database for a coupon site I am developing. I want folks to be able to search for coupons using certain criteria and I would like to make it where people can sign in and have a page come up with their favorites. Another thing I would like to do is let people choose up to 6 coupons and have them appear on a page for printing so that they don't have to just print one coupon per page. You can see my site as it stands now at http://www.tenncents.com I really think it would be much better if it were database drivin. What do you think? Can you point me in the right direction? I really need to learn to build databases anyawy because I am certain I will need that knowledge in the future.

Thanks,
Tina

[awasson]

Hi Tina,

What kind of web server are you on and what kind of database is supported.

For example pretty much every Windows Host will support ASP/Access in a basic package and will provide SQL Server for an additional fee. Any Unix/Linux package worth it's salt will provide PHP/MySQL.

A database is a database for the most part but there are some really good resources available for learning the ropes and you will need to know which technologies you will persue first to decide which one fits.

Andrew

[awasson]

Ok,

I just did a little check on your host and they are running Win Server 2003. Cool!!

You should be able to run ASP/Access right out of the gate and might be able to run ASP.NET (really cool) but you better find out from your host first.

Here are some links for Database development in FrontPage:
The Best (http://www.sitebuilder.ws/frontpage/tutorials/default.htm)
Go to the "Step by Step FrontPage Tutorials" at the bottom of the page.

Here are some awsome ASP/Access places:
ASP101 (http://www.asp101.com)
4Guys... Really great site as well (http://www.4guysfromrolla.com)
Aspin (http://www.aspin.com)

That's a start.

Give that a go and then definitely post your questions here and we'll try and help out.

Cheers,
Andrew

PS: Windows Server 2003 rocks...

[redfishmedia]

Thank you so much. I am so excited and I am certain I will be returning to ask questions. :D

I visited your site and it is awesome I added it to my book marks under Inspiration. I save that folder for the very few sites that really inspire me. You do beautiful work.

My host is a pretty new host but so far they have been awesome. No down time and awesome customer support and service. I would recommend them to anyone and they are so affordable which never hurts. :-)

[awasson]

I visited your site and it is awesome...
Thanks.

I have a secret weapon, an awsome graphic designer.

I come up with some ideas and she looks at them and usually says "hmmmmm... That's pretty good... I have a few ideas.... I'll get right back to you..."

Then bam... All of a sudden I receive a photoshop file that looks about 1,000,000% better than anything I showed her, and away I go making it into a website.

Definitely learn as much as you can about databases and ASP etc... It can only aid you as you continue working. The next version of FrontPage is supposed to support more server side programming languages and should be able to handle Microsoft's latest called DOT.NET.

(This might be way overboard for what you want to do, but it is an option so... Here goes)

Windows Server 2003 runs Dot.Net pretty much straight out of the box but it is a fairly complicated technology to learn. (super powerfull though). The reason I mention it is because Microsoft is providing FREE a number of code examples and one is a portal site that would probably suit your purposes.

Check this out:
(You can play with them online to see how they work)
Community Starter Kit (http://www.asp.net/CommunityStarterKit/)
Portal Starter Kit (http://www.asp.net/PortalStarterKit/DesktopDefault.aspx)

All of this technology requires a bunch of learning. You can start here:
ASP.NET Pro Website (http://www.aspnetpro.com/)

You can get a free Dot.Net editor here:
Web Matrix Version 6 (http://www.asp.net/webmatrix/)


Again the downside to the whole dot.net thing is the learning curve. It is really complex, so if yo choose to learn the FrontPage + ASP + Access route that's a good place to start and we'll be sure to help our where we can.

See ya,
Andrew

PS: A whole lot of my site is database driven. It makes updates a breeze.

[redfishmedia]

Thank you. I will definately start learning this now. I really appreciate you letting me know about this option.

Tina

[awasson]

Hi Tina,

No worries.

Most of the folks who visit the database central area are pretty well versed with programming and creating SQL queries (something you will hear a lot of as you persue database development) so don't hesitate to drop by when you get stuck.

Andrew