Posted by Shelly on 08/30/07 22:08

"Herb Martin" <news@learnquick.com> wrote in message
news:46d73af0$0$19618$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>
> "Sheldon Glickler" <sheldonlg@asap-consult.com> wrote in message
> news:13d9l6544kpf855@corp.supernews.com...

>>. So far I have downloaded the free web designer express beta (and also
>>the VB and C#). I started playing with it and it seems that my php
>>knowledge will be helpful in understanding.
>
> Learning C# just to supplement your PHP is a BIG chunk (not that you
> cannot do it but it isn't going to happen overnight even if you already
> program in a dozen languages, unless one of THOSE is C++.)

I have programmed in Java, so c# shouldn't be a problem. The syntax isn't
all that different and the OOP is the same concept.

> Going the other way is MUCH easier (from C++/C# to PHP -- I hope
> <grin>)

True! If you don't try to OOP PHP, but treat is as procedural, then all you
really need is C experience.

> VB is a smaller chunk but you really need to consider how much
> functionality
> you will give up by just using PHP without .NET etc.
>
> Using .Net isn't bad, but it's another, usually separate, strategy.

.....but MARKETABLE!

>
>> It doesn't look all that hard and it has some nice controls (such as the
>> grid control for database results and a calendar control.
>
> And maybe you need those badly enough and cannot get them from straight
> PHP, but maybe not.

Looking further into it since I posted this, there are quite a few controls
that are there that I have had to spend time in PHP to accomplish. For
example, I often have had to do a validation section of multiple inputs and
then echo messages if there were missing items, etc. They have a control to
do it and all you need do is drag and drop and set a few things in the
properties box (like which object it validates and the error message
associated with it). There is also a range control. The grid control is
also very nice as it does all the DB access and putting to the screen --
with paging. All of these took time when I did them in php, so maybe it is
not so bad :-) ?

>
>> The big problems I have come across so far are that I cannot see how to
>> connect to a MySQL database (I need SQLServer or Oracle of even Access)
>
> This MAY be a weakness of the MICROSOFT .Net groups as the people
> there will not TEND to be using MySql as much as SQL Server or Access,
> but they will have ODBC experience galore if you connect through the
> ODBC database drivers etc.

Yeah, that should be possible. However, it would be nice if it went
directly to MySQL. Of course that would mean that they might lose on their
big moneymaker -- SQLServer.

>
>> and my server doesn't seem to understand the aspx controls. This last
>> one I should be able to resolve by a call the GoDaddy.
>
> I have not understanding of your actual problem or what GoDaddy would have
> to do with it.

They are the server that the MySQL db and the web site that I just developed
are located on. The asp controls didn't appear when I put the file there.
No big deal. This is a learning exercise for me. I am trying to duplicate
that site using .NET and ASP. So, I installed SQLServer Compact on my local
machine (THAT was an experience!) and hook up to that. I simply exported
the tables from the MySQL and put them in SQLServer. Now I can go to town
with my learning and try to redo that site on my local machine.

Shelly

Shelly

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