SQL Databases - which is the easiest application to create and publish to web?

Question

I build and manage websites for friends and family - some bespoke and some via wordpress.

I'd like to improve my skills by being able to create database driven web based applications.

I'm guessing that the best technologies to do this are SQL and PHP, but I'm open to suggestions, although I'm not keen on using a third party hosted website - I want to create the database myself.

Here's the catch. While I'm quite familiar with HTML, CSS, etc, I'm not interested in writing lots of code / SQL queries, etc. I'd much prefer a wysiwyg type approach that presents things visually - that's how my brain is wired!

I'd really appreciate any suggestions on the best way to move forward and improve my skills.

What applications should I use?
What technologies should I employ?

Answer 1

There's no getting around programming I'm afraid! I think that your best bet is to set up a web-server on your computer and hone your skills that way. Wampserver and XXAMP are bundles that include MySQL, PHP, phpMyadmin and the Apache web-server. They are very easy to install and you can start creating databases right away using the phpMyadmin GUI. I recommend practising building simple databases using phpMyadmin and using it as a platform for developing your SQL skills (you can type SQL statements directly into phpMyadmin -- it really is a great way to learn). Doing things in the right order really is key... but you know many of the very experienced people seem to have forgotten these steps!!! That is why you don't often hear about the importance of doing things this way :-)



So I recommend starting with installing Wampserver or XXAMP (I use Wampserver). Then create a simple database using the phpMyadmin GUI. Then query the database (retrieve, update, modify) using SQL statements. Only once you have got this knowledge under your belt will you be ready to integrate your knowledge with PHP, so that you can query server-side databases and display the results on PHP webpages. w3schools is a good resource for getting started.

Answer 2

Most desktop database programs have forms that you can do entry for. Other option is a webserver to put the data on then at the end of the day sync the entries to the Access database. Or buy some custom software online for that similar purpose.

Answer 3

As you said you are not interested in too much queries, better you go for LINQ and Entity Framework.

Use SQL Server and create Tables.

Use Entity Framework to map these tables.

use LINQ statements to carry out database related tasks.

I would prefer ASP.Net and C# to build website.

Answer 4

You can download PHPmyadmin here http://j.mp/1no5DWL

I have been using it for years

Answer 5

I always use PHP and MySQL. There both very easy to learn. There are lots of great tutorials out there to use - just google: "PHP MySQL Tutor". Also, both PHP and mySQL are both free.