Howto Question - Server to client

Raiden101

hello, my name is raiden, and before I ask my question, I just wanted to say that this board rocks!

I wanted to ask, how would I create a client that accesses a server for variables, like for example, if I wanted to save on a server a username, and how much money a person has, how would I do that? with a mysql database? or a text file? and lastly, how does the connection work? I want to use vb to access the data on the linux server...

Thanks in advance, you masterful programmers..
-Raiden

weekender

why use vb? php can do it. a database is always a good idea if you have a lot of variables (or perhaps a few, but different for each user). If you only have a few variables, an ini file will do - there is a php module that deals with reading and writing ini files - search php help for info

Raiden101

um... I want to create a connection between a executable file that is made in visual basic, and php/mysql, I just need help figuring out how to do that, if you know how to make php into a executable file, please tell me...
-Raiden

Raiden101

could I make it access it via class? or a dll?

dancahill

Hi raiden 101

1st off, I don't reckon this is really a newbies question :eek: but it sounds kind of interesting. I'd like to know a bit more why you want to make this combination of VB & PHP? Sorry not to be able to answer your question straight off & not promising to be able to help in the end but it would be helpful to me and others to know exactly what you're trying to do.

What does your VB code do? If you're coding in VB in the first place why not use ASP rather than PHP (apart from it's not as good!!) - but if you are going down that road why mix & match?

I think before you get a good answer to your question more info is needed.

Dan.

Raiden101

thanks for giving a legitimate response, I want to access remotely a mysql database through a program that I will make with visual basic, I need to do this so that I can get experience in accessing a server without using the expensive microsoft sql server package. I don't think that I even need php, although I said that because the other guy said that I should use php and mysql. I know that I can access mysql with a odbc connect, but I have to create my own drivers, and I am just a n00t trying to understand things that are apparently over my horizons... I don't know exactly... I already see security holes in my algorthm that I made... I know that if I create a dll, that I can also get access to a mysql database, I just don't know what is in the dll...
-Raiden

dancahill

OK my ASP is extremely rusty (well it wansn't actually good enough in the 1st place to become rusty). You don't need PHP to connect to a mySQL DB. You can connect to most databases with ASP / ADO which to me makes sense if you're already coding in Visual Basic.

My question now is (and again sorry not to yet solve your problem) do you know how to connect to say any database with ASP? Basically are you looking for a connection script or a tutorial on how to do it?

Dan

Raiden101

I know somewhat, something like:
dbopen("connection url","password")
right?
And I want to access a mysql database, so don't I need some kind of special dao/ado access for it?
-Raiden

siwis

WHat I don't get is where a web based language comes into a desktop application querying a database????

Surely (and I know absolutely FA about either VB or ASP) you create an ODBC layer inside your actual VB app. Adding extra layers using extra languages simply confuses the issue.

Visual Basic can connect to any database regardless of whether it is local or remote as long as the ODBC connection string is there. Check Google for "MySQL ODBC Driver". AFAIK the drivers are available for free download fom the web anyway.

Alternatively, if you don't want to pay to use mSQL server, then simply use ACCESS or FoxPro both of which drivers should already be in your VB toolkit.

dancahill

To connect to a local database

oConn.Open "Driver={mySQL};" &
"Server=MyServerName;" &
"Option=16834;" & _
"Database=mydb"

To connect to a remote database

oConn.Open "Driver={mySQL};" &
"Server=db1.database.com;" &
"Port=3306;" &
"Option=131072;" &
"Stmt=;" &
"Database=mydb;" &
"Uid=myUsername;" & _
"Pwd=myPassword"

Dan

Raiden101

that easy? really? so where do I donwload the driver?

siwis

Read what I put:

Search GOOGLE thats GOOGLE for "MySQL ODBC Driver"

Look, I'll even make it easy for you with this link:
GOOGLE SEARCH ([url]http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=MySQL+ODBC+Driver)[/URL]

Please Please Please, try to do a little bit for yourself, else you will never properly learn, and you'll no doubt go on to become MickeySofts chief programmer!

Learn how to use a search engine before learning to program, you'll find it a tremendous help.

Raiden101

don't worry, I plan on experimenting... heh... it's just I want to make sure that your idea really works... so I don't waste too much time... 😛
Thanks?!
-Raiden

siwis

I don't claim that my idea will work, but based on the extremely limited information you began this thread with, and a lack of coherent information about what you wanted to achieve, there is only so much you can expect the members of this board to do for you.

If someone suggests using a search engine to find something, then why not try doing so, before coming back and then asking "so where can I download it". I even provided you with a suitable search string to use on google which, had you bothered to look, yielded the andwer to your subsequent question in first place.

Sure you don't want to waste your time, but you are perfectly willing to waste ours????

Raiden101

heh... I was just looking for some advice, I am 18 years old, and the best database program I did about a year ago, I ask for help, and just like any other, I am "wasting" your time, okay, because I really don't know odbc that well... just someone said that to me, so when you give someone help, you can interpet that as a waste of time (for you), but for me, it is comething called generosity.
-Raiden (yes... I am a weak-minded fool 😛)

siwis

Age has absolutely no bearing on whether you will receive help, BUT unless you can learn to help yourself before expecting others to spoon feed you, you will no doubt receive many comments along similar lines from other"helpers" who get extremely frustrated at the lack of effort placed into learning by people like you.

I will always try to help, wherever help can be given AND where the recipient of any such help is willing to at least try to work things out for themselves. I offer that help for free, and without prejudice of age, race or sexual persuasion but I am not alone in trying to stress the importance to people of doing a little research for themselves, whether that be by purchasing relevant books, or by using the wonder of the internet that is a search engine.

If you want to program in VB then one of the first tasks you have is to learn about ODBC, because without that knowledge you'll be pretty much stuck on "Hello World" type apps with limited functionality. This is a php forum, not a visual basic forum.