mysql and client side program possible?

[viperdk]

hi, can mysql and a client-side program interact?
for example: instant messaging programs. using mysql as the server side and programs on the client side, is it possible to create an instant messaging system?
i am planning on creating something based on the instant messaging concept using mysql.

thanks!

[[deleted]]

Ofcourse, MYSQL can interact wth anything that speaks it's language.

Question is, do you think it is smart to let a client-side program talk directly to your mysql server?

[mithril]

Well yes, yes they can🙂 Seriously, I know that MySQL is supported in the Perl abstraction layers, many of the C layers, you can even make Java talk to it (but you need to have 3rd party ODBC drivers installed). PHP-GTK also will do it (not too surprising since you just use the same functions as it you were programming a web-app). Hell, I seem to remember reading somewhere that even Visual Basic can be forced to talk to MySQL. Lot's of options open to you. Have fun!!

Cheers,

Geoff A. Virgo

[crislewis]

If your requirements are simple, then why not create your own server side abstraction layer in, say, PHP and have the client program interact through that? That way you can isolate the database a bit more and shove in a security layer.

Almost any client side development environment can interact with you server merely by using HTTP(S). Think of the client program as an automated user.

Cheers,

Cris

[Anon]

so is it possible to create an instant messaging service like ICQ, MSN, AIM (although it does not need to be as powerful as them) using, lets say C++ for client-side and MySQL for server side? does PHP come into play anywhere?
and, "is smart to let a client-side program talk directly to your mysql server?" as vincent asked earlier.

thanks!!!!!

[[deleted]]

If you want to build a client-side app that talks to your server, you wouldn't use PHP at all, you'd do both the server and the client in C.

Ofcourse it's not smart to let your app talk to your database directly.
Client-side applications should talk to serverside applications.
As soon as clients talk to the mysqlserver directly you are asking for a hacker attack.