Professional database folk would like you to think that building a Web-based
relational database application is water-to-wine difficult. But it's not -
especially now that Jay's here to show you how it's done.
Some of the most useful sites out there - the Internet Movie Database, Monster.com, and Amazon.com - have a relational database
to thank for their success. Since you may not be in a position to drop $30K
on the high-end RDBMSes (relational database management systems) that these
sites employ, Jay starts the tutorial by explaining how you can use the tools
you already have to create a smaller, yet still useful, database application.
After you make it past the equipment check, get ready for a breakneck tour
of all the things you need to know to create your relational database. Take
a crash course in defining and linking tables. Read the Cliffs Notes to
linking your database to your Web server. Have a brief fling with 2-D
arrays. Learn just enough SQL, VBScript, ActiveX Data Objects (ADO), and ASP
stuff to scrape by. Put the pedal to the metal through HTML forms. And then
learn how to put it all together.
All in just four easy lessons.
