What Databases can I use?

We've mentioned that we'll be using databases for many of the examples in these chapters – and indeed, we'll do the same in the Wrox Classifieds sample application in Chapter 15. They're still the most straightforward type of data store that you're likely to use within a web page (and probably the most commonly used data source).

In this chapter, we're going to be working with two types of database application – Microsoft Access, and the cut down version of SQL Server, namely the MSDE:

• Access 2000 is available as part of the Office 2000 Professional or Premium editions – older versions of Access are available with older editions of the Office suite. Access is the desktop database for home users, and isn't intended for deployment when a large number of concurrent users will access data.
• SQL Server is Microsoft's leading Windows database and data-warehousing package. The MSDE (Microsoft Data Engine) is a SQL Server 7.0-compatible data server. MSDE ships with any version of Office 2000 that contains Access 2000 (Professional, Premium and Developer) – if you have any of these you'll find the appropriate files on your Office 2000 installation disks (as we'll explain in a moment).

You won't need both types of database application for this book. We have made available sample databases for both, and the examples in Chapters 12–14 will work with both types of database, unless stated otherwise. If you are in a position to choose between the two, then we recommend that you use Access for these examples, purely on the grounds that it is both easier to use and simpler to set up.

However, if you're planning to graduate to anything that might be used within a corporate environment, then you might prefer to use MSDE – as the SQL Server compatible engine is much better suited to many-user applications. Just bear in mind that MSDE is the more complex system to install and use.

Don't worry if you are working with a different database application, such as Oracle. You will have to set up the actual database data and configure the connection correctly but after that the scripts outlined in the next few chapters should work without further changes.

If you're unfamiliar with MSDE, and you're intending to use it with this book, here are some tips on installation that will help you to get it up and running. We'll cover installation from the Office 2000 route first; then from the Visual Studio route.

1.    From Disk 1 of your Office 2000 installation disks, browse to the folder \SQL\x86\setup. Locate and run the file sqlsetup.exe, and follow the setup instructions to complete the setup and installation.

2.    Now jump to Step 3 of the Installing MSDE from a Visual Studio Registration 'Try It Out', below.

1.    Download the msdex86_pkg.exe from the Microsoft web site, using your Visual Studio Product ID (as outlined above). Then run msdex86_pkg.exe to unpack its contents onto your local hard drive – the dialog will suggest that the contents are placed into a new folder called \MSDE_PKG.

2.    Now go to the Start menu, select Run and, very carefully, type the following into the dialog box:

C:\MSDE_PKG\MSDEx86.exe –a –s –f1 "C:\MSDE_PKG\unattend.iss"

3.    When the installation process has finished, one of the following icons
will appear on your task bar:

If it doesn't appear immediately, try restarting your machine.

If the service is stopped, click the Start/Continue button to start it.