Since Powweb doesn't support ASP

[jag5311]

What do i do about this. I run a Nintendo Gamecube Cheats website, www.gamecubecheats.net , and right now there is not alot of content/information for the gamecube, but everyday it is building and i was looking into building a database using ASP. I don't know how to do that, but i was going to learn, but since Powweb doesnt' support it, i gave up. But i do want to set a system up where it will be easier to manage all my cheat content for individual games in the future. What is my best bet to go with since i can't use ASP.

I currently have the A-Z .shtml individual files, with some cheat info in a few letters.

what i would like to do is make it so i only have to update a few individual files and it updates my entire database, and then it would update the files on the internet for me. How can i go about doing that without the ASP option

bryan

[SimCoWeb]

Best bet is to pick up a flatfile database Perl script or PHP script. These provide a 'search' tool and allow you to make entries or have visitors make 'em too.

So, essentially, you'd set up the program, administer it through your browser to add, edit, and delete entries, allow access to the visitors to add entries. You'd place a link anywhere you want to the main category page or to the search box.

You can find a boatload of 'em over at www.hotscripts.com

[Bud]

True, a flat-file should work fine for a simple (small) database. Flat-files do have a couple of minor limitations, they get slower and slower as they get larger because the search mechanism is sequential (as opposed to MySQL which uses indexing). Flat-files require locking so that multiple programs (or users) do not write to the database at the same time, corrupting the databse, meaning you'll need to create semaphore files and use flock. Flat-file databases cannot be inserted into, they must be rewritten entirely each time an insert is necessary, which can be error prone and slow.

If you are looking for full functionality in a database on Unix, you might consider looking into MySQL. I program Visual Basic Scripts for MS Access and Perl scripts for MySQL. In my opinion, MySQL is far superior and more along the lines of Oracle in it's robustness.

The basics of MySQL are fairly simple, you can learn more at http://www.mysql.com/

I would say it's as easy if not easier than learning Access, it's incredibly fast (especially when indexed properly), and can hold thousands and thousands or rows without being bogged down.

~bud :)

[SimCoWeb]

Hi Bud:

I agree entirely. I think what I was eluding to is the majority of freebie scripts utilize a flat file DB. If one that uses MySQL can be found then it would be worth the $30 for the MySQL setup fee.

For small DB's the common method of flat file works pretty good. Get over 1,000 items and you could be in trouble! Although, I just installed a cart system for a client and he has 2,000 products and the cart hasn't slowed at all.

Say Bud, you're a Perl programmer? I need to discuss some things with you. Do you do any custom work? Or fix-it type?

[Bud]

Hey SimCoWeb, yeah, flat files are the simplest form of databases and as long as you don't see a slow down, they do work really well. I used them extensively (and DBM databases) until I learned MySQL, I was blown away by MySQL and have used it ever since.

Yes, I do custom work daily, drop me a private message when you get a chance :)

~bud