Frontpage 2000 database and .asp

[boliches]

Help please.

I have looked everywhere for the answer.

I have a form (created in MS Frontpage 2000) FinanceApp.asp which should send the data to an Access 2000 database when the "Submit" button is clicked. The database was created by using the wizard within Frontpage!

The problem is that the data does not get to the database, unless I am doing something really stupid! The "Confirmation" page shows all relevant data captured.

All I want to achieve is to collate all the data in one place for easy reference and manipulation (probably better if the data went to Excel). However can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks

[jhardman]

I'm not a fan of frontpage, but if you get the information passed on to the confirmation page you are halfway there. Show the code for the form handler - the page the information is first sent to - and I'll see if I can wade through it to find what is going wrong.

Jared

[CroCrew]

Hello boliches,

Please don’t take this as an insult in anyway.

From the time the web became a platform to house applications many new roles and responsibilities have been forged from the traditional role of webmaster. It was the responsibility of the webmaster to do “all”. Well now-a-days we have many defined roles when we look at the realm of web development and clearly two types of website developers’ are coders and designers.

FrontPage and Dreamweaver are in my opinion are good tools but are *typically* used by designers for the ease of their designer GUI. I know many coders that use both tools for when they have to make fast work of their HTML or as their text editor for the auto complete feature. But, really those tools are built for the novice and professionals working in the “designer” aspect of web development. God, I hope this does not spark an argument with anyone using the tools (it really was not meant to be an insult so none should be taken).

What is the difference of a coder and a designer? A coder is one that works with the nuts and bolts of his/hers web pages. A designer doesn’t really care how things run as long as what they are looking at works the way they want it to. Think of it this way a coder is the person that builds the chair that is in a room and a designer is the person that got a chair and placed it in a room.

You my friend seem to fall within the designers. If you have been wondering why you have not received an answer to your question it is because websites like this one cater to the coder. Designers are welcome but to answer a question like the one you have asked is can not be done without having all your code.

I hope that you have not become offended from what I wrote. I would like to extend my help to you (as I know this website would too) in turning you into a coder so you can better understand what the code on your pages are doing.

From what I understand you are looking for a simple page that collects data from someone that is viewing that page. Then, when the user submits the page the information gets placed in an Access database and then displays a confirmation of what was stored in the database.

Form.asp --> Post.asp --> Confirmation.asp

It sounds like you have designed two of the three pages needed and need help with the post page. Please post the two pages that you have and we can show you how to create the post page and possibly clean your other two pages up a bit. I have a feeling that it is riddled with webbots.

This is a good little exercise for you. Trust me you will look at web development a different way after you have become a coder. We are here to help.

Happy coding~

[boliches]

No offence taken! I have tried very hard to be a "programmer" using Access with a modicum of sucess, however, web pages are a relatively new venture! If my understanding is correct my web pages in question are:

www.regencyusedcars.co.uk/FinanceApp.asp

with the confirmation page:

www.regencyusedcars.co.uk/mail_finance.htm

I know I am "cheating" using Frontpage but it is an intro into your world.

the database is in MS Access 2000 and created by Frontpage (all cells are named therfore correctly).

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Bruce

[markrawlingson]

Well for starters I get this..

Bad Gateway
An error occurred while communicating with another application or an upstream server.
There may be more information about this error in the server's error logs.

If you have any queries about this error, please e-mail [e-mail].

Oh and sorry! I just can't help putting my two cents in when it comes to WYSIWYG apps, especially FP. As CroCrew said, I totally mean no offense by the following as I tend to be fairly abrupt at times - just some informed advice from a guy who has a lot of experience in the web development field and has experienced the damage front page can do first hand.

It's terrible. Really it is. It's probably the worst thing that happened to the internet, it's even above "geocities" on the 'worst ever' list. Heck, even Microsoft realize how bad it is.. they discontinued the product. They have a new one out now, which I haven't tested yet but it looks much better. It's called Expression - take a look http://www.microsoft.com/expression/products/overview.aspx?key=web - they claim on the website that it uses XHTML and has web standards built in - which any good programmer can respect.

In FP's defense though, these things weren't around as mainstream as they are these days - but still, I suppose that's one reason MSoft killed the product.

My biggest problem with FP is that it's not compliant with any web standard out there, and creates horrible superfluous web pages which kill WAY more bandwidth than is needed with it's nested tables and spacer gifs, not to mention the nightmarish web bots, oh dear god! Seriously I have nightmares which include being gorishly attacked by front page web bots - I have to sleep with one eye open at night for fear they will devour my soul. I've taken 5000 line FP generated files down to under 1000 lines before - it's really is that bad.

No but seriously, I could list a billion reasons why FP is the president bush of web development (ooooooohhh POT SHOT!) but I won't.

I'm actually not a fan of any WYSIWYG application at all, but I will say this in their defense: They get people interested in web development - kind of like they're doing with you - so it's a fair trade off. ;)

Anyway, just my 2 cents on the subject!

Sincerely,
Mark

[boliches]

Hi Mark

Hear what you are saying loud and clear!! Didnt realise it was that bad.

Do you have any suggestions as to how I go forward? i.e Is there a favoured method of writing web pages? Which route would be best for me to head in? I feel reasonably confident in my limited ability in writing progs. Although being totally upfront I do tend to "borrow" other peoples ideas!!

My main problem, I guess, is knowing where to look to find answers to questions, as I dont want to keep pestering you guys (as brilliant as you all are. (Used the MS Access forum quite a bit!!)).

Kindest regards

PS. Having read your previous reply I think you should become a writer (author)! Very amusing!! ;-))

[jhardman]

...
Do you have any suggestions as to how I go forward? i.e Is there a favoured method of writing web pages? Which route would be best for me to head in? I feel reasonably confident in my limited ability in writing progs. Although being totally upfront I do tend to "borrow" other peoples ideas!!
...

I would say start out with an HTML tutorial (w3schools.com has a really basic one). There is nothing wrong with borrowing other people's ideas, the web was founded on principles of open source and code sharing and no one really objects to that except where it comes to copy-righted materials. You need to bear in mind, though, that a lot of people use only half-correct code, so an approach where you skim through the code and make sure you only have what you need and what you have is valid (use a code validator like validator.w3.org) then you can go ahead and most of us purists will have no objection.

For the scripting, I started very simple and I still go through projects just a step at a time: first I make sure my form data is sent to the server, then I make sure I can connect to the db, then I make sure I can open the db, then I try to read a record. If that works, then I will try to add or update a record. If that works, I send out a confirmation message, check it with a validator and consider it pretty much done. I find that if I break the project down into those steps it is very easy to see exactly where I go wrong and none of it is especially difficult.

It looks like you are at the point where you know your form data has been received by the server. Do you know whether you are connecting to the db?

Jared

[CroCrew]

Hello boliches,

I am glad that you are moving forward in learning more. Congratz! Both markrawlingson and jhardman are right and are giving you very good ideas.

I have looked at your site and it looks like a fun one to start out with. Please post any questions that you might have we are here to help.

Here is a bit of code that you can start out with. It is a two page process that collects data from one page then passes that data on to the next and inserts the data into a database then displays the data it had saved.

Let me know if you need a copy of the database I can email it to you.

Hope you have as much fun as we all did in learning this crazy stuff~

PageOne.asp

<html>
    <head>
        <title>Example</title>
    </head>
    <body>
        <form method="post" action="PageTwo.asp" name="xForm" id="xForm">
            <table>
                <tr>
                    <td>Amount of Loan:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="7">
                        <select name="loan_amount">
                            <option value selected>Enter amount of Loan</option>
                            <option value="2000">£2000</option>
                            <option value="3000">£3000</option>
                            <option value="4000">£4000</option>
                            <option value="5000">£5000</option>
                            <option value="6000">£6000</option>
                            <option value="7000">£7000</option>
                            <option value="8000">£8000</option>
                            <option value="9000">£9000</option>
                            <option value="10000">£10000</option>
                            <option value="11000">£11000</option>
                            <option value="12000">£12000</option>
                            <option value="13000">£13000</option>
                            <option value="14000">£14000</option>
                            <option value="15000">£15000</option>
                        </select>
                    </td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Months \ Term:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="7">
                        <select name="term">
                            <option value="1" selected>Months \ Term </option>
                            <option value="1">12 Months  (1yr)</option>
                            <option value="2">24 Months  (2yrs)</option>
                            <option value="3">36 Months  (3yrs)</option>
                            <option value="4">48 Months  (4yrs)</option>
                            <option value="5">60 Months  (5yrs)</option>
                        </select>
                    </td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Payment Example:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="7"><input name="payment" size="20"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Vehicle of Interest:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="7"><input name="vehicle" size="50"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr><td colspan="9"><b>PERSONAL DETAILS</b></td></tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>First Name:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="3"><input name="first_name" size="20"></td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td>Last Name:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td><input name="surname" size="20"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>DoB:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="7"><input name="dob" size="20"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>E-mail:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="7"><input name="e_mail" size="20"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Nationality:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="3"><input name="nationality" size="20"></td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td>Marital status:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td><input name="marital_status" size="20"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Current address:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="7"><textarea name="current_address" cols="51" rows="1"></textarea></td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Post code:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="7"><input name="post_code" size="20"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Home phone:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="3"><input name="tel" size="20"></td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td>Mobile:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td><input name="mobile" size="20"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Time at address:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td>
                        <select name="time_at_address_years">
                            <option value="0" selected>years</option>
                            <option value="0">0</option>
                            <option value="1">1</option>
                            <option value="2">2</option>
                            <option value="3">3</option>
                            <option value="4">4</option>
                            <option value="5">5</option>
                            <option value="6">6</option>
                            <option value="7">7</option>
                            <option value="8">8</option>
                            <option value="9">9</option>
                            <option value="10">10</option>
                            <option value="10+">10+</option>
                        </select>
                    </td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td>
                        <select name="time_at_address_months">
                            <option value="0" selected>months</option>
                            <option value="0">0</option>
                            <option value="1">1</option>
                            <option value="2">2</option>
                            <option value="3">3</option>
                            <option value="4">4</option>
                            <option value="5">5</option>
                            <option value="6">6</option>
                            <option value="7">7</option>
                            <option value="8">8</option>
                            <option value="9">9</option>
                            <option value="10">10</option>
                            <option value="11">11</option>
                            <option value="12">12</option>
                        </select>
                    </td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td>Residential type:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td><input name="residence_type" size="20"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Previous address:<br>* ( if less then three years )</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="7"><textarea name="prev_address" cols="51" rows="1"></textarea></td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Post code</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="7"><input name="prev_post_code" size="20"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr><td colspan="9"><b>EMPLOYMENT DETAILS</b></td></tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Employers name:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="3"><input name="employer" size="20"></td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td>Occupation:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td><input name="occupation" size="20"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Address:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="3"><input name="emp_address" size="20"></td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td>Telephone number:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td><input name="emp_tel" size="20"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Self employed</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td>Yes <input type="radio" value="Yes" name="selfemployed"></td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td>No <input type="radio" value="No" name="self_employed"></td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td>Time with employer</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td><input name="emp_time" size="20"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr><td colspan="9"><b>BANK DETAILS</b></td></tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Sort code:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="3"><input name="bank_code" size="20"></td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td>Account number:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td><input name="bank_account" size="20"></td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td>Time with bank:</td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td>
                        <select name="time_at_bank_yrs">
                            <option value="0" selected>years</option>
                            <option value="0">0</option>
                            <option value="1">1</option>
                            <option value="2">2</option>
                            <option value="3">3</option>
                            <option value="4">4</option>
                            <option value="5">5</option>
                            <option value="6">6</option>
                            <option value="7">7</option>
                            <option value="8">8</option>
                            <option value="9">9</option>
                            <option value="10">10</option>
                            <option value="10+">10+</option>
                        </select>
                    </td>
                    <td>&nbsp;</td>
                    <td colspan="5">
                    <select name="bank_time_mth">
                        <option value="0" selected>months</option>
                        <option value="0">0</option>
                        <option value="1">1</option>
                        <option value="2">2</option>
                        <option value="3">3</option>
                        <option value="4">4</option>
                        <option value="5">5</option>
                        <option value="6">6</option>
                        <option value="7">7</option>
                        <option value="8">8</option>
                        <option value="9">9</option>
                        <option value="10">10</option>
                        <option value="11">11</option>
                        <option value="12">12</option>
                    </select>
                    </td>
                </tr>
                <tr><td colspan="9">&nbsp;</td></tr>
                <tr>
                    <td colspan="9" align="center">
                        <input type="submit" value="Submit" name="Finance Application">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
                        <input type="reset" value="Reset" name="B2">
                    </td>
                </tr>
            </table>
        </form>
    </body>
</html>
 

PageTwo.asp

<%
    Set adoCon = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
    adoCon.Open "DRIVER={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)}; DBQ=" & Server.MapPath("Database.mdb") 
    Set rsAdd = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Recordset")
    Set objRS= Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Recordset") 
    strSQL = "SELECT TOP 1 * FROM TheTable"
    objRS.Open strSQL, adoCon
 
    rsAdd.CursorType = 2
    rsAdd.LockType = 3
    rsAdd.Open strSQL, adoCon
    rsAdd.AddNew
 
    rsAdd.Fields("loan_amount") = Request.Form("loan_amount")
    rsAdd.Fields("term") = Request.Form("term")
    rsAdd.Fields("payment") = Request.Form("payment")
    rsAdd.Fields("vehicle") = Request.Form("vehicle")
    rsAdd.Fields("first_name") = Request.Form("first_name")
    rsAdd.Fields("surname") = Request.Form("surname")
    rsAdd.Fields("dob") = Request.Form("dob")
    rsAdd.Fields("e_mail") = Request.Form("e_mail")
    rsAdd.Fields("nationality") = Request.Form("nationality")
    rsAdd.Fields("marital_status") = Request.Form("marital_status")
    rsAdd.Fields("current_address") = Request.Form("current_address")
    rsAdd.Fields("post_code") = Request.Form("post_code")
    rsAdd.Fields("tel") = Request.Form("tel")
    rsAdd.Fields("mobile") = Request.Form("mobile")
    rsAdd.Fields("time_at_address_years") = Request.Form("time_at_address_years")
    rsAdd.Fields("time_at_address_months") = Request.Form("time_at_address_months")
    rsAdd.Fields("residence_type") = Request.Form("residence_type")
    rsAdd.Fields("prev_address") = Request.Form("prev_address")
    rsAdd.Fields("prev_post_code") = Request.Form("prev_post_code")
    rsAdd.Fields("employer") = Request.Form("employer")
    rsAdd.Fields("occupation") = Request.Form("occupation")
    rsAdd.Fields("emp_address") = Request.Form("emp_address")
    rsAdd.Fields("emp_tel") = Request.Form("emp_tel")
    rsAdd.Fields("selfemployed") = Request.Form("selfemployed")
    rsAdd.Fields("emp_time") = Request.Form("emp_time")
    rsAdd.Fields("bank_code") = Request.Form("bank_code")
    rsAdd.Fields("bank_account") = Request.Form("bank_account")
    rsAdd.Fields("time_at_bank_yrs") = Request.Form("time_at_bank_yrs")
    rsAdd.Fields("bank_time_mth") = Request.Form("bank_time_mth")
 
    rsAdd.Update
    rsAdd.Close
    Set rsAdd= Nothing
 
    objRS.Close
    Set objRS= Nothing
    Set adoCon = Nothing
%>
<html>
    <head>
        <title>Example</title>
    </head>
    <body>
        Form Confirmation<br>
        Thank you for submitting the following information:<br>
        <br>
        loan_amount: <%=Request.Form("loan_amount")%><br>
        term: <%=Request.Form("term")%><br>
        payment: <%=Request.Form("payment")%><br>
        vehicle: <%=Request.Form("vehicle")%><br>
        first_name: <%=Request.Form("first_name")%><br>
        surname: <%=Request.Form("surname")%><br>
        dob: <%=Request.Form("dob")%><br>
        e_mail: <%=Request.Form("e_mail")%><br>
        nationality: <%=Request.Form("nationality")%><br>
        marital_status: <%=Request.Form("marital_status")%><br>
        current_address: <%=Request.Form("current_address")%><br>
        post_code: <%=Request.Form("post_code")%><br>
        tel: <%=Request.Form("tel")%><br>
        mobile: <%=Request.Form("mobile")%><br>
        time_at_address_years: <%=Request.Form("time_at_address_years")%><br>
        time_at_address_months: <%=Request.Form("time_at_address_months")%><br>
        residence_type: <%=Request.Form("residence_type")%><br>
        prev_address: <%=Request.Form("prev_address")%><br>
        prev_post_code: <%=Request.Form("prev_post_code")%><br>
        employer: <%=Request.Form("employer")%><br>
        occupation: <%=Request.Form("occupation")%><br>
        emp_address: <%=Request.Form("emp_address")%><br>
        emp_tel: <%=Request.Form("emp_tel")%><br>
        emp_time: <%=Request.Form("emp_time")%><br>
        bank_code: <%=Request.Form("bank_code")%><br>
        bank_account: <%=Request.Form("bank_account")%><br>
        time_at_bank_yrs: <%=Request.Form("time_at_bank_yrs")%><br>
        bank_time_mth: <%=Request.Form("bank_time_mth")%><br>
        <br>
        <br>
        Return to the form.<br>
    </body>
</html>
 
 

[markrawlingson]

My main problem, I guess, is knowing where to look to find answers to questions, as I dont want to keep pestering you guys (as brilliant as you all are. (Used the MS Access forum quite a bit!!)).

Right here is one of the best places to find answers, especially for beginners. So look no further. The site isn't really geared towards WYSIWYG applications but as you can see, half the experts have jumped on your question regardless trying to offer up suggestions or at least words of wisdom and experience, as we always do.

The favoured way of writing web applications is just a simple text editor. A lot of people still use notepad if you can believe that. Personally, my weapon of choice is an app called UltraEdit, second to that would be EditPlus. These are simple text editors like notepad but with a whole pile of developer tools packed into them like colour co-ordination of your code so you can visually pin-point syntactical errors, search and replace, auto-indentation of code, etc.

As for suggestions on how you go forward: If you're keen on learning web development a GREAT place to start learning is w3schools like Jared suggested. You can probably learn at least the fundamental basics of HTML within a week or two. It's not a complicated language at all. However while you do, I would sincerely suggest looking into XHTML - which is just a more "proper" and up-to-date way of writing html and is finally widely recognized as a standard in web development now. Another suggestion if you'd like to learn asp is webwizguide.com - I learned the basics from there back in like 2000-2001 - I'm pretty sure they have their ASP tutorials up still. w3schools also has ASP tutorials which are pretty good, but basic - so a good place to start.

FYI: W3schools recieves 2 million impressions per day and has become a standard learning point for new developers, and an incredible quick reference for seasoned pros. A lot of universites and colleges even include w3schools as required reading material in their courses. (I sound like a commercial, I wonder if they'll pay me for this...)

PS. Having read your previous reply I think you should become a writer (author)! Very amusing!! ;-))

haha! Funny you say that, I've played around with the idea of writing a book. I think I will write a couple of books about my experiences with monica lewinsky, er - i mean, web development, once I'm a little further and more established and perhaps even recognized in the web development community. I'll definitely become a web development professor or high school teacher 20 years down the road though, i've already decided that much.

Anyway, If you're interested in learning you've come to the right place. So happy coding and I wish you the best.

Sincerely,
Mark

[markrawlingson]

Oh, and as a foot-note:

A wise man once said "There is no such thing as a new idea anymore, just improvements on old ones." - So borrow away. The web was built on borrowing ideas, you think E-Bay invented auctioning? You think microsoft invented the OS? heeeck no! Even the thing you're holding in your hand right now was originally called "The x-y position indicator" before it was improved upon and re-named "The Mouse" ;)

Sincerely,
Mark

[boliches]

Thanks for all of your ideas and guidance - it is really appreciated! I cant wait to get going and see where we end up!

Thanks guys!!

[boliches]

Many thanks CroCrew!!

Will get stuck in next week as am in Spain at the weekend (Los Boliches funnily enough!!). Cant wait to see the results and hopefully progress from there.

Really do appreciate all the help and advice.


Cheers


Boliches (in the UK)

[DrBunchman]

Also, HTML Goodies has got a series of Primers which cover the basics in a friendly way - it's what I used to teach myself when I started with HTML. A link to the HTML Primers is below:

http://www.htmlgoodies.com/primers/h...le.php/3478141

Good luck!

Dr B

[boliches]

Again my thanks to:

DrBunchman
MarkRawlinson
jhardman
and CroCrew

By the way CroCrew, where should the database be situated that receives the data? Frontpage created a database that sits both in my C-drive and on the server (in a folder "fpdb") but for some reason the code you suggested to me does not appear to get to its destination. Any thoughts??

[markrawlingson]

In CroCrew's example the database is placed in the same directory as the "pageOne.asp" example. However you can place it where ever you like, and just change the reference to it from Server.MapPath("database.mdb") to Server.MapPath("\Virtual\path\to\your\database.mdb ") - and this would be the path to where it's kept on the server of course, not the path to where it is on your pc.

Sincerely,
Mark

Again my thanks to:

DrBunchman
MarkRawlinson
jhardman
and CroCrew

By the way CroCrew, where should the database be situated that receives the data? Frontpage created a database that sits both in my C-drive and on the server (in a folder "fpdb") but for some reason the code you suggested to me does not appear to get to its destination. Any thoughts??