Data:
between people and places
The need to organize and share data is one of the
driving forces in internet/intranet development. Excellent in-house
database solutions like Access 97-2002 have become internet enabled and
other, purely server dependent database solutions like the open-source
MySQL have become more sophisticated and powerful and more widely
supported by internet programming languages like Perl.
H.James Company brings with it experience with
programming reaching back (off and on) 27 years (see the
retrospective) which has
crystallized in an excellent working knowledge of Access 97-2002, Visual
Basic.Net and of MySQL and the Perl programming language that is widely
used to control it. This knowledge, coupled with a natural
aptitude for organization, problem solving, and graphic design, may be
of use to you, especially within the context of office intranet and
internet applications.
The interest in MySQL, Access and now, recently, Visual
Basic.Net applications has led to a fruitful exploration and
implementation of various means for sharing data between the web site
(MySQL on Unix) server and the home/office Windows environment. The
MySQL InterAccess interface (© by H.James Company) on this site
demonstrates some of these possibilities.
MySQL Database Design
MySQL is a very fast, multi-threaded, multi-user, and
robust SQL (Structured Query Language) database server. MySQL software
(being open-source) is itself free. The privilege of using it on a
Unix/Linux server typically comes free or for a minimal (e.g. $2 a
month) cost. It requires no investment in hardware or off-the-shelf
software just to get started.
MySQL data can be worked into a CGI generated web page
in such a way as to make it indistinguishable from the rest of the page.
The Software Resources page
on this site is based on five, updatable, interlinked MySQL tables. But
the tables can also be presented as data, even to the point of mimicking
database interfaces like Access. Using forms, MySQL data can be entered
and modified on line. Various utilities are available to export MySQL
data to Access 97-2002 and vice-versa. The
MySQL InterAccess database server (© by H.James Company) serves as
an off-the-shelf back-end for any MySQL database.
MySQL work by H.James Company includes
- Incorporating (client maintained) contacts and dates into web
pages and online registration forms
- Generating an index (with links) and a whole series of reference
pages from two tables that are maintained by the client
- A web site support center with nested areas offering downloads,
help files and log files. The password protected administration center
allows the client to organize these areas and even to upload files
without using FTP
- A generic (Access look-alike) web interface that can be used to
view and modify all MySQL tables. (see
MySQL InterAccess)
- An Access form and module to facilitate the export of Access
tables to a text file from which MySQL tables can be generated, and a
generic web interface to upload these files and trigger the table
generation.
- An online registration system for a province wide recreational
sports association. This system allows for league and team
registrations and player information updates. It is tied in seamlessly
with the association's office Access database, which allows for cross
referencing of office data and newly entered web site data. An Access
module is programmed to merge the online MySQL data into the larger
database.
- An online catalogue for a plant nursery business that replicates
office- maintained growing and pricing information to the company web
site, where it can be combined with a large collection of digital
photographs to supply both retailers and their customers with useful
product information. An online order form is included.
- MySQL is used as a staging ground for complex order and production
needs that the company's accounting package can't handle. Order
information is imported to and from the accounting database and is
presented to the order desk by a programmed Visual Basic.Net Windows
application.
Access 97-2002 Database Design
Access work (including some subcontracting) completed
over the last seven years or so includes:
- Accounting: invoice, expense, GST forms, etc.
- Church membership records
- Personnel/training management (see below)
- French translation module for an existing database
- Adaptation of an existing database interface
- Routines to import and merge web site registrations with an
existing database
Microsoft .NET
Microsoft .NET, the newest Microsoft strategy for
connecting systems, information, and devices through Web services and
Windows forms has already proven itself, in the short time that I've
been using it, to be as well thought out and reliable as Access 97 was
(and still is). My programming experience in Visual Basic combined with
the Visual Basic.NET development tools has already combined to put the
'form' to databases of whatever ilk (MySQL, Access, Pervasive) in a way
that can be easily installed without any hardware or supporting software
expense to the customer. (The .Net Client Framework is free from
Microsoft)
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SHOWCASE SHOWCASE
H.JAMES CO. SHOWCASE SHOWCASE |
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Training Plan Database
John Deere Welland Works
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Note
Thank you Henry for helping develop our Access
database to track and monitor employee training plans.
The database met our requirements and has proven to be
easy to use and trouble free. As I mentioned in
our previous conversations I wouldn't hesitate to
recommend you to anyone who requires a specialty
application. Thanks again on a job well done.
Frank Mattei
Supervisor, Training & Development
John Deere Welland Works |
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Features
- normalization routines for data imported from main
frame computer
- numerous lookup tables to normalize and assist data
entry
- main forms for organizing data by employee, occupation
and course requirements
- tabbed pages within the forms to present various
aspects of the information
- various linked subforms
- numerous drop down lists for selecting records by
various fields
- some forty queries (including append, delete, union
and pass-through)
- class modules (some complex) with each form
- reports
- switchboard with several sub menus
- integrated record handling
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SHOWCASE SHOWCASE
H.JAMES CO. SHOWCASE SHOWCASE |
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