[sfab16a2]

I am new and was wondering if it is possible to link a ms sql database to my website. I run a Pawn Shop and People need to know when their loans are due. The program gives a unique customer ID number. So they could enter their ID number and find their loan due dates. Right now we just look it up in the pawn program which is ran from a server running ms sql which is on 24/7.

My question is: is this possible? Where I can create a Read only information lookup in realtime from a MS SQL Database?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks, Justin.

[Atli]

Hey.

Sure, you can do that. To use a database you will need to use a server-side language, to connect to and query the database, and then use that to create the client-side (HTML/CSS/Javascript) content. - The most popular server-side languages are PHP, ASP.NET and JSP. In this instance using ASP.NET would fit best, because Microsoft tools tend to work best with each other. However, you can also use PHP or JSP if you so choose. (And many others as well.)

The biggest question is: what type of server do you run your website on? ASP.NET only runs on Windows hosts, whereas PHP and JSP can run pretty much anywhere. - Also, do you have any experience with any of these languages: PHP, .NET (C# or VB.NET), or Java? Or perhaps any other languages?

[sfab16a2]

Thanks for the reply! I am not very familiar with the ASP.Net language or really any others. I was mainly wondering if this is possible. My website is using the Quantum web engine. I would probably just end up paying someone to do this for me.

One question I had for you. The pawn program may have the database locked (password protected) can the database be accessed as read only even if it is password protected?

What do you think someone would charge for a project such as this?

Justin.

[e_i_pi]

It all depends on where the database is stored. If it is stored locally, or on your own webhost, then your Pawn program would already be accessing the DB with a username and password. If you know that username and password, then a web application can hook into it no problems. If the database is stored on servers owned by the proprietor of the pawn program software, you may need to ask them for username/password access to the DB, which they may or may not give for security/privacy reasons.

Is the pawn program installed, or a service that is hosted for you by a third party?

(I have no idea how much someone would charge. It's seems like a simple job on the surface, but it depends on your specifications)