April 26, 2008 at 7:33 am
We have regular needs to develop small, simple , web-based data access forms for our intranet users. We don't have enough C# or Vb.Net development resource to meet these demands, so would like a quick means of deploying this sort of solution which doesn't require a high level of development expertise. Can anyone recommend a good solution?
April 27, 2008 at 11:52 pm
InfoPath? It's got a lot of limitations, though. Unless you use code-behined, but that of course takes you back to C# and VB.net.
[font="Times New Roman"]-- RBarryYoung[/font], [font="Times New Roman"] (302)375-0451[/font] blog: MovingSQL.com, Twitter: @RBarryYoung[font="Arial Black"]
Proactive Performance Solutions, Inc. [/font][font="Verdana"] "Performance is our middle name."[/font]
April 28, 2008 at 6:59 am
Infopath looks interesting, but presumably you need Sharepoint server installed to use it? I was hoping to find an application generator or a solution that didn't require the addition of another middleware component.
April 29, 2008 at 7:45 am
Infopath doesn't require Sharepoint, although it's a convenient platform to deploy the forms. You can easily deploy them to a share on the LAN, in particular if you're updating a database. Some tips for you to get started:
- Infopath is fundamentally a forms engine. No more, no less. If you approach it from that perspective, you'll be fine. And remember, it's a client server app (like Excel or Word) not a web development tool.
- Start by properly designing / defining your data. As simple as that sounds, if you start by designing the form, you're likely going to tie yourself up into knots. Once you have a proper data design, the rest comes much easier.
- Remember, your form should be designed to update a primary data source, with lots of secondary data sources for drop downs, validation, etc. Avoid (especially the first time) trying to update two data sources at the same time (do another form).
Infopath was included with Office starting 2003. Make sure all of your target users have it installed, since many shops selectively install the tool. And good luck. I find it's a fast, easy to build tool once you have the fundamentals right.
April 29, 2008 at 9:00 am
Infopath 2007 can be used for web-based forms development, I have done it and there are people in my company who do it for customers full-time.
April 29, 2008 at 9:35 am
True, but I believe you need InfoPath Forms Services installed on your Web Server.
April 29, 2008 at 10:05 am
Yes, that approach requires either MOSS or Forms Services as a server. I beleive that you can alternatively install (& license) the InfoPath 2007 client on each user's desktop and then communicate with the SQL Server through Web Services, which would still work over an Internet/Intranet configuration.
April 29, 2008 at 10:09 am
RBYoung (4/29/2008)
Yes, that approach requires either MOSS or Forms Services as a server. I beleive that you can alternatively install (& license) the InfoPath 2007 client on each user's desktop and then communicate with the SQL Server through Web Services, which would still work over an Internet/Intranet configuration.
That's weird. For some reason I get a different login if I use IE, than my usual (with Firefox).
[font="Times New Roman"]-- RBarryYoung[/font], [font="Times New Roman"] (302)375-0451[/font] blog: MovingSQL.com, Twitter: @RBarryYoung[font="Arial Black"]
Proactive Performance Solutions, Inc. [/font][font="Verdana"] "Performance is our middle name."[/font]
April 29, 2008 at 10:15 am
rbarryyoung (4/29/2008)
RBYoung (4/29/2008)
Yes, that approach requires either MOSS or Forms Services as a server. I beleive that you can alternatively install (& license) the InfoPath 2007 client on each user's desktop and then communicate with the SQL Server through Web Services, which would still work over an Internet/Intranet configuration.That's weird. For some reason I get a different login if I use IE, than my usual (with Firefox).
Are you 2 related or is this some kind of interesting coincidence? :hehe: Or is your secondary personality disagreeing with you on SQL development:D?
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Your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency on my part...unless you're my manager...or a director and above...or a really loud-spoken end-user..All right - what was my emergency again?
April 30, 2008 at 11:09 am
Matt Miller (4/29/2008)
rbarryyoung (4/29/2008)
RBYoung (4/29/2008)
Yes, that approach requires either MOSS or Forms Services as a server. I beleive that you can alternatively install (& license) the InfoPath 2007 client on each user's desktop and then communicate with the SQL Server through Web Services, which would still work over an Internet/Intranet configuration.That's weird. For some reason I get a different login if I use IE, than my usual (with Firefox).
Are you 2 related or is this some kind of interesting coincidence? :hehe: Or is your secondary personality disagreeing with you on SQL development:D?
Apparently it is my evil twin!
[font="Times New Roman"]-- RBarryYoung[/font], [font="Times New Roman"] (302)375-0451[/font] blog: MovingSQL.com, Twitter: @RBarryYoung[font="Arial Black"]
Proactive Performance Solutions, Inc. [/font][font="Verdana"] "Performance is our middle name."[/font]
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