I need to setup a website using SQL Server for a client, but am not sure where to start. I got my Hosting Company to setup a DB for me, and they have given me an IP and login info as well. Also, I installed SQL 2000 Tools on my desktop.

So, what now? I can't figure out where in the SQL Server to setup my connections with the server's DB.

Anyone know of a good tutorial for setting up SQL databases? If there is anything for doing that in Dreamweaver as well that would be a bonus. I am sure I'll figure it out if not, just thought someone might have something out there to get me started.

Thanks.

(DWMX|IIS5|Access2K|XP|ASP/VB)
*Connman21*
www.conncreativemedia.com

Do you have a copy of SQL Server on your local PC?

If not, go to: www.microsoft.com/sql/evaluation/trial/ and download the 120 day evaluation version. This has everything you need to develop the DB, connect to the remote SQL Server and upload the completed DB files.

Should you use SQL Server frequently, you only need the developer edition, approx $500, this has everything you need but is not licenced for use in a web/enterpeise server.

SQL Server is similar to Access, but there are a few differences that may catch you out at first, I don't know how far you've got with it, but if your starting from scratch you could try this book:

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Programming Step by Step - Rebecca M. Riordan - ISBN 0-7356-1142-4
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0735611424/qid=1039357218/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_2/103-4448960-8081414?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
The book doesn't go into tremendous depth, you can work through the entire content in a couple of afternoons but it will get you up to speed quickly.

For more in-depth and specific coverage try:
www.sqlmag.com/
www.sqlservercentral.com/default.asp
www.sqlteam.com/Default.asp

To connect and upload the DB from your local SQL Server to the remote, have a quick read of this, it might help you out:
dwmxextensions.com/forum//topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2567

Connecting to your Local SQL Server DB with Dreamweaver is much the same as with Access, I always use OLE DB, this is better than the ODBC DSN method, theres a section about setting up an OLE DB connection in my tutorial link at the bottom of the page, just select "Microsoft OLE DB prvider for SQL Server" instead of the "Jet 4.0 OLE DB provider".

When you upload the site to the host, modify the line:
"Provider=SQLOLEDB.1;Password=YourPassword;Persist Security Info=True;User ID=YourUserID;Initial Catalog=YourDBname;Data Source=YourServerAddress"
Within the YourConnection.asp file in the Connections directory.

If your developing with SQL Server you should also look at using Stored Procedures, in which SQL statements are set-up and stored within the DB and then simply called from the page, much like a stored query in Access, but far more flexible. You can set up stored procedures to INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE and SELECT. In addition you can perform logic within a stored procedure, removing decision making from ASP within the page and placing it within the DB. You simply pass the variables to the DB rather than whole SQL Statements.

If you're like me, once you've worked with SQL Server for a while you won't want to go back to it's poor cousin Access, not to mention totally no-frills alternatives like MySQL.

Regards

Owen.

Multiple Parameter UD4 / Access 2000 Database Search Tutorial:
www.tdsf.co.uk/tdsfdemo

Edited by - oeastwick on 08 Dec 2002 16:00:54

Thanks oeastwick, I appreciate the sources and info. I think I have enough to get started.

(DWMX|IIS5|Access2K|XP|ASP/VB)
*Connman21*
www.conncreativemedia.com