Anyone here a Database expert?

[Kaido]

I have a few questions. I am looking into designing a new database system for business functions (parts, ordering, tracking, etc.) for my workplace. I am mainly into computer hardware and some light web development, not so much programming and databases, but am interested in learning. Here are a couple questions to start out with:

1. How long would it take to really get into databases? I'm talking learn MySQL inside out and learn how to back databases up, make them talk to each other, learn how to read error messages, etc.

2. What language should I learn to develop tools for Windows that can talk to a database on the network? Java, VisualBasic...?

 

[skyking]

*I'm no expert*
but, I can bumble through mysql and php well enough. I would craft an application that was web-based on and internal website, using php and mysql. But that's just me.🙂
Going that route will open up tons of resources and guides.
There are a couple of nice applications for managing mysql databases.
The old mysqlfront is till around the net at version 2.5, and heidisql looks promising.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: skyking
*I'm no expert*
but, I can bumble through mysql and php well enough. I would craft an application that was web-based on and internal website, using php and mysql. But that's just me.🙂
Going that route will open up tons of resources and guides.
There are a couple of nice applications for managing mysql databases.
The old mysqlfront is till around the net at version 2.5, and heidisql looks promising.

Thanks! Yeah, that's the plan - PHP & MySQL 🙂 Since it will be used for business it needs to be like 100% reliable.

 

[skyking]

Since it will be used for business it needs to be like 100% reliable.

Plan on doing a ton of testing. Plan on redundancy.

 

[Thyme]

Which database doesn't really matter; it's easy to learn all of them. Database design is the tough part.

After that, MySQL and PHP will probably suit you fine.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: skyking

Since it will be used for business it needs to be like 100% reliable.

Plan on doing a ton of testing. Plan on redundancy.

Oh yeah, definately. Primary disks on RAID, backup drive internally, tape backups mailed off-site, plus a hotspare server 🙂

 

[everman]

You should be able to do it, PHP MySQL, Apache. I did one a few years ago like that for a business and it's still running without a problem, I basically learned as I went. I don't do it anymore though. I tried to do some jsp servlet stuff using Tomcat and it just got too complicated.

I should add that I did have a couple years C++ experience which I'm sure made it easier.

 

[Schnieds]

Honestly (and I will probably get flamed for posting this) if you want to develop a really robust solution that is reliable, I would go with ASP.NET 2.0 & SQL 2005. Yes, it will cost your company some money, but it is worth it if they care that much about it being available and extensible.

Since you don't have a programming background, you can get Visual Web Developer and SQL Developer Express for FREE. From there if you read a lot of the articles on www.asp.net you can learn how to create a UI that databinds to your SQL database in no time. You can do the easy stuff right off the bat (displaying records, editing data, reporting using reporting services) and then as your knowledge grows you can extend the site using the advanced features .NET has to offer.

Anyways, that is just my 0.2 as an application developer for the last 6 years.

 

[Atheus]

1. How long would it take to really get into databases?

Exactly how complex is this going to be? Chances are you don't need to get deep into relational databases in order to do a stock tracking system - you'll just need a few basic commands. Say a couple of days.

Producing a serious piece of software on the other hand... if you have really never programmed before it might take you any amount of time to learn. months...

/edit: Schnieds has a point, you could get some of those automagic tools, but you'll still need to understand programming concepts.

 

[Schnieds]

Thanks Atheus, let me revise... I did not mean to suggest ASP.NET & SQL would be drag & drop with no knowledge at all. you will still need to do some learning to do even the easy stuff...

Again though, check out http://www.asp.net and click on the "Learn" section, there are a TON of videos and they do a pretty good job of taking you step by step through the basics of developing a data driven site.

Also... buy a book. The Dietel (I think I spelled that right) "Intro to VB.NET" or C# are REALLY good books.

 

[Kaido]

What I had in mind was a new CRM and MRP. MRPs are a little on the complex side, however, so we may be better off just buying a pre-made system.

 

[everman]

Mine basically consisted of a system where an employee with little training could do it via a web based form. It tracked all of the customers, jobs, and employees assigned to the job. I already had a database of all of the customers, so I just imported that to the database. Everything was just simple, easy to use, and got the job done rather well. If I were to do another, or modify it, I'd include "ajax" elements like auto-updating forms and maybe some nice analytics for management.

That's about it, simple easy to use, nothing complicated. Works great.

 

[Jaxidian]

I'd also recommend ASP.NET 2.0 and SQL Express (both free). And hell, you might even be able to use quite a bit of the Northwind database as a template for your database.

For your security, read some about ASP.NET's membership providers - you get a lot of security for cheap but this only protects .NET resources, not files on the web server, so don't make that mistake! Read lots and don't be afraid to ask questions. 🙂

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: Kaido
What I had in mind was a new CRM and MRP. MRPs are a little on the complex side, however, so we may be better off just buying a pre-made system.

Sometimes it is better to adapt and learn what is out there, rather than re-invent the wheel.
A search for CRM and MRP at sourceforge.net turned up 308 results. There are some fantastic suites available there, all open-source.
http://sourceforge.net/search/?type_of_search=soft&words=CRM+and+MRP