Hi, I'm just discovering Zope and it seems to have a lot of promise. I'm a front end designer/developer and I'm hoping Zope will allow me to create a database driven site without too much fuss. The database is small, but moderately complex. I'm pretty sure it needs to be relational, as opposed to a tiny table. I feel strange, asking such basic questions, but I don't really know where to get started. I know a little bit about relational databases, but only a little. I've seen in the zope tutorial that you can send an SQL query to the database and use it to populate a list, but where do you build the initial database? I have MS Access. Do I build something in that on my desktop and upload it somewhere? Do I create a form to create the db from scratch? Is there somewhere I can read about all this (in a nice Tutorial, step-by-step fashion)? Would it help if I described the functionality I'm looking for? Thanks, Micah
I feel strange, asking such basic questions, but I don't really know where to get started. I know a little bit about relational databases, but only a little. I've seen in the zope tutorial that you can send an SQL query to the database and use it to populate a list, but where do you build the initial database? I have MS Access. Do I build something in that on my desktop and upload it somewhere? Do I create a form to create the db from scratch?
Well, I don't think you will find a step-by-step "How do I build a DB and use it in Zope", since Zope really does not deal with the issue. If you have a Linux box (please tell me you do), you can install postgres and follow their instructions of how to get PostGreSQL running. Then you create a database in Linux. Now, the rest we can handle with Zope. So you now need to install the PyGreSQLDA, which will allow you to connect to postgres (please run Zope on Linux, it will save you a lot of grieve). Now you connect to the DB using the connection string "DBNAME@localhost postgres", where 'postgres' is the DB user. Now that you are connected you can create a SQL method and create your tables, functions, sequences, triggers and so on. Well, now you can create other SQL Methods that will add, edit and delete records. You are done! I know my instructions are very short, but I don't have enough time to write many details, but I want to get you started. BTW, please do yourself a favor and do not run anything serious on Windoze and especially Access. :-) Regards, Stephan -- Stephan Richter CBU - Physics and Chemistry Student Web2k - Web Design/Development & Technical Project Management
I feel strange, asking such basic questions, but I don't really know where to get started. I know a little bit about relational databases, but only a little. I've seen in the zope tutorial that you can send an SQL query to the database and use it to populate a list, but where do you build the initial database? I have MS Access. Do I build something in that on my desktop and upload it somewhere? Do I create a form to create the db from scratch?
Well, I don't think you will find a step-by-step "How do I build a DB and use it in Zope", since Zope really does not deal with the issue. If you have a Linux box (please tell me you do), you can install postgres and follow their instructions of how to get PostGreSQL running. Then you create a database in Linux.
Nope, but it is easy, even in Access (you can always move to something serious later, as long as you stick with standard SQL). Create a database in Access with the structure you desire (or use something you need) Install Zope and a database adapter (this is a connector for databases). In the case of Access that is the ZODBC adapter or the ZJetDA (or something similar available from the products page on Zope.org). Different from building something in Access, you'll have to talk to Access through your Zope installation, using ZSQL Methods as described by Stephan. To get yourself going you need the ZSQL Guide, available from the Zope site (http://www.zope.org/Documentation/Guides/ZSQL). There are also some more specialized guides about inserting data with Zope Some URLs: You can also create tables using SQL Methods (i.e. without using Access at all). See http://www.zope.org/Members/jshell/ZSQLMethods-CreatingTables http://www.zope.org/Members/roberth/ZMSSQLServer (about using SQL Server, but most of it also applies for Access) http://www.zope.org/Documentation/How-To/SQLInsert (simple inserting data) and a more thorough treatment of the same subject in http://www.zope.org/Members/jshell/ZSQLMethods-InsertingData There is also a plugin product for a SQL Input Wizard (which I have never used myself) @ http://www.zope.org/Members/zwork/Znolk_SQL_Wizard/Znolk-0.1.3.tgz/ There is more, but this should be enough to get you started Apart from SQL Methods you'll need ZSearchInterfaces. They are a standard component (product) in your ZOpe installation. If given a ZSQL query, they'll construct a search and result form for you automatically. You can then adapt it to your needs. All this will take a change in your way of thinking, but once you get it, you'll get results quickly. <snip instructions>
I know my instructions are very short, but I don't have enough time to write many details, but I want to get you started. BTW, please do yourself a favor and do not run anything serious on Windoze and especially Access.
:- In principle you're right Stephan, but for many of us the choice is already made... This said, I've had very good experiences with Zope on WinNT (runs for months on an end without problems even with Access backends. Yes, I know....) Hope this gets you started Rik
participants (3)
-
Micah Freedman -
Rik Hoekstra -
Stephan Richter