Vb6

[kiwis]

Hi Guys,

I use VB 6 and have made some basic programs but what i want to do now is new and i have not even looked at this before!

I have a website using PHP storing stuff in my sql I want to make a desk top aplication which my admins can use to update information and store details on my site!!

IE: I have a news sytem which adds topic, date, news body ect
I want a my desktop program to have a form which when a user submits into and clicks add it inserts it in the sql database online!

Is this sort of program possible with VB6?

[Maverickz]

Yes it most definatly is. All of the programs I have written (except a knockoff of a Megatouch game, I call Match'Em) have been database management applications. I have used MS Access, MS SQL-Server, Oracle 8i running on an HP Himalaya, and even MS Active Directory for databases.

Bottom line is VB can do just about anything with just about any database. Just create the forms to capture the data you need, and write the SQL statements to insert it. Make a connection to the DB and execute the statements.

[kiwis]

Originally posted by Maverickz
Yes it most definatly is. All of the programs I have written (except a knockoff of a Megatouch game, I call Match'Em) have been database management applications. I have used MS Access, MS SQL-Server, Oracle 8i running on an HP Himalaya, and even MS Active Directory for databases.

Bottom line is VB can do just about anything with just about any database. Just create the forms to capture the data you need, and write the SQL statements to insert it. Make a connection to the DB and execute the statements.

This is no different with the database being hosted on another server... ie: the program will run on my machine in New Zealand the website host is in the USA!! It can connect to a database online?

[Maverickz]

Yes it can as long as your maching can get IP packets to the DB machine. You can test this with ping and or telnet if you know what ports are open.

However, IF the database is located inside the same company that is hosting your website, they could have it configured to only allow trafic from their webservers and refuse all traffic from the open internet. If this is the case then you are screwed and will have to create web pages to do the administration.

One easy way to test this is to setup a DSN on your computer (from the ODBC section of control panel) and test the connection. Or write a small application or web page to access the DB and put it on a different web server and test it.

The Mav

[Maverickz]

Actually I just thought about something else. If you find your ISP has blocked all outside traffic to your DB then there may still be an option...but it is a very advanced technique.

The key to this will be if your web server can support Web Services. If it can then you could write a web service and place it on the web server (which can obviously talk to the DB server) and then write a VB executable to consume the web service and pass in the data to update the DB with. The web service will then do the actual updating. NOTE: To use web services on a MS platform you will either need the SOAP toolkit or VB.NET.

One other thing is since your web site is written in PhP the web server is most likely a unix/linux server. This means that most likely the web service itself will have to be written in something like Java. The client though can still be written in anything you want, allthough for web services it's much easier in VB.NET

The Mav

[kiwis]

Originally posted by Maverickz
Actually I just thought about something else. If you find your ISP has blocked all outside traffic to your DB then there may still be an option...but it is a very advanced technique.

The key to this will be if your web server can support Web Services. If it can then you could write a web service and place it on the web server (which can obviously talk to the DB server) and then write a VB executable to consume the web service and pass in the data to update the DB with. The web service will then do the actual updating. NOTE: To use web services on a MS platform you will either need the SOAP toolkit or VB.NET.

One other thing is since your web site is written in PhP the web server is most likely a unix/linux server. This means that most likely the web service itself will have to be written in something like Java. The client though can still be written in anything you want, allthough for web services it's much easier in VB.NET

The Mav

So........

If I can write a php code and run it on another server and get my results then all is good.

If not then I need to use the web service thing.... I think it's going to have to be the second option.... do you have any good links to something which could teach me this??

[Maverickz]

I learned Web Services mainly from a book, "Teach Yourself Web Services in 24 hours" from SAMS publishing. It is a good overview book covering how to create and consume web services in many different programing languages and environments.

BEFORE YOU BUY ANY BOOKS:
Make sure that your ISP is ok with you you using a Web Service and that the web server can support it prior to purchasing any books. Other than that the best you can do is just search the net for any WS tutorials in the language you decide to code it in.

The Mav

[kiwis]

Originally posted by Maverickz
I learned Web Services mainly from a book, "Teach Yourself Web Services in 24 hours" from SAMS publishing. It is a good overview book covering how to create and consume web services in many different programing languages and environments.

BEFORE YOU BUY ANY BOOKS:
Make sure that your ISP is ok with you you using a Web Service and that the web server can support it prior to purchasing any books. Other than that the best you can do is just search the net for any WS tutorials in the language you decide to code it in.

The Mav

Cool so how do I test my ISP?

[Maverickz]

I recommend just calling them and and explain what you are trying to do and ask if they allow direct acces to the DB and if not do they allow Web Services(WS)be used on their servers. Also verify what OS they run so you can get a better idea of what programming languages to use. Hell you may get lucky and the ISP may allow the direct connect method through a specific port or at least have a WS already written that can acces the DB servers and all you have to do is write the client. Either way you could come out with a LOT less work by just asking first.

The Mav

[kiwis]

Originally posted by Maverickz
I recommend just calling them and and explain what you are trying to do and ask if they allow direct acces to the DB and if not do they allow Web Services(WS)be used on their servers. Also verify what OS they run so you can get a better idea of what programming languages to use. Hell you may get lucky and the ISP may allow the direct connect method through a specific port or at least have a WS already written that can acces the DB servers and all you have to do is write the client. Either way you could come out with a LOT less work by just asking first.

The Mav

Okay i'm trying to type this email but im lost.....

what am i asking for??

Cheers

PS thanksa tone for all your help

[Maverickz]

I would say something like:

I am considering writing a tool to allow administrators to update our news banners (or whatever you are doing) in order to restrict access I would like to make this application run on another server outside of your environment. So my first question is do you allow direct database connections from outside of your environment?

IF YES:

Ask what ports are communication allowed on?

IF NO:

Do your Web Servers support Web Services or do you have any pre-written with database access I could use?

IF WS IS SUPPORTED BUT YOU HAVE TO WRITE YOUR OWN:

Ask what languages of WS they can run. As I said earlier this will probably be Java.

=======================
Hope this gets you started...heading to bed.....

The Mav

[kiwis]

Originally posted by Maverickz
I would say something like:

I am considering writing a tool to allow administrators to update our news banners (or whatever you are doing) in order to restrict access I would like to make this application run on another server outside of your environment. So my first question is do you allow direct database connections from outside of your environment?

IF YES:

Ask what ports are communication allowed on?

IF NO:

Do your Web Servers support Web Services or do you have any pre-written with database access I could use?

IF WS IS SUPPORTED BUT YOU HAVE TO WRITE YOUR OWN:

Ask what languages of WS they can run. As I said earlier this will probably be Java.

=======================
Hope this gets you started...heading to bed.....

The Mav

I've sent the e-mail

Thanks again for the help :-)