FP 2003 several questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fay Yocum
  • Start date Start date
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Fay Yocum

I am looking at the possibilities/problems of doing a major needs assessment
via a website. I see several options including: an Access database on the
site, emailing XML results to a central location, and saving a csv or txt
file within the site in a private folder.

If I place an Access 2K3 database in a site how many people can submit data
at one time before it overloads and crashes? Am I correct to assume when a
person is working on a form there is no access to the database until the
Submit button is pressed? Is this correct?

I could have the files emailed back to me as xml files. I have seen all the
hype about XML what I have not seen is how to best compile the individual
reports into a master database or document. Is this a one-by-one handling of
each or is there an easier method? Leave out the possibilities of InfoPath
and SharePoint for the moment.

Any insight, directions, or ramblings would be appreciated. Thank you.

Fay
 
I have a client site that managed without problems 6000 visitors within a
period of about 1 hour.

The site is 100% ASP based, all hand coded, no FP Database components, using
a Global.asa and a System DSN connection, all db tables open/closed as
needed, however the connection is always open. All data management is
handled directly in code, so the Access 2000 is just a basic storage
container for adding or modifying and the look up of data. The site has a
login function, membership signup and edit function, a StoreFront 2000
e-commerce application and these items were all access during this period of
time.

--

==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, Forums, WebCircle,
MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================
 
If I place an Access 2K3 database in a site how many people can submit
data
at one time before it overloads and crashes?
Click to expand...

Hard to say how many can submit data "at one time." An ASP page lives for a
matter of milliseconds on the server. It exists for the amount of time it
takes for the web server to process and return the page. So, very seldom are
there any truly "simultaneous" requests being handled, unless you have a
pretty good-sized site. Access is not designed for a large number of
simultaneous users; it is designed as an in-house office database. If your
web site handles a relatively small amount of traffic, it should be fine.
Am I correct to assume when a
person is working on a form there is no access to the database until the
Submit button is pressed? Is this correct?
Click to expand...

HTTP is stateless. There is no persistent connection between the browser and
the server. Each Page request happens independently. Yes, you are correct.
I could have the files emailed back to me as xml files. I have seen all the
hype about XML what I have not seen is how to best compile the individual
reports into a master database or document. Is this a one-by-one handling of
each or is there an easier method? Leave out the possibilities of InfoPath
and SharePoint for the moment.
Click to expand...

XML is a tool. It is not a panaceaia for the world's programming problems.
Some tools are better for some kinds of jobs; others are better for other
kinds. What you really need to ask yourself is "what are my requirements?"
In other words, you have some need to collect data from people and do
something with it. What kind of data is it? What do you need to do with it?
You haven't told us those facts, so I for one can't tell you how best to
automate the processing of it.

--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
..Net Developer
Microsoft MVP
Big things are made up
of lots of little things.
 
Thank you Thomas and Kevin for your responses. They help. I totally agree
with the tools statement.

Kevin to expand on the XML part. I am a nursing educator. I will be working
with a new staff in the near future. I need to assess their learning needs.
The traditional paper/pen surveys consume a large amount of time on the back
end to tabulate. I want to be able to let technology assist in the process
and I want to learn on the front end how to better use the available
technology. The data should be all text, but I can't guarantee that at this
point. I will need to compile the data into one report by fields so that it
can be analyzed and used for decision making. Answers will range for yes/no,
single words, or memo type fields. Does this better explain my needs. Thank
you for your time.

Fay
 
Hi Fay,

I think I've gotten a pretty good idea of what you want. It seems to me that
your best bet would be to put the data directly into your database. You
could then download/copy the database from the web site and create your
Reports automatically from the data contained in it.

--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
..Net Developer
Microsoft MVP
Big things are made up
of lots of little things.
 
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