Judith Barer wrote:
> I have developed a vfp 8.0 app. I uses vfp dbf files. I work for a
Hi Judith
We've done this sort of thing. Here's my experience distilled, FWIW:
1) Infrastructure. If you want to use your main database as the data
source you can, but you'll need:
- a web server on the LAN
- a good router with NAT forwarding, etc, features
- a good reliable broadband connection
- a fixed IP address
This approach is good provided you're not expecting large volumes
(hundreds of hits per day is fine, many thousands isn't) and it's not
mission critical.
If you need high volumes or it's mission critical you need to use a data
centre and things get an order of magnitude more complicated. In which
case ignore paragraph 2).
2) The web service. As others have remarked you could use Apache + PHP
etc. We've used West-wind very successfully with IIS / Soap. I
wouldn't if I were you attempt a VFP webservice from scratch, use
Westwind or AFP. Having said which it ain't too difficult. A web
service at the end of the day is just a form of dynamic web page and in
some respects simpler. Things to bear in mind if you go this route:
- You'll need to get to know IIS and WW/AFP
- Error messages or other dialogs will stop the web service in its
tracks, therefore good error handling and lots of diagnostic logging are
important
- A vfp web service can't easily handle .Net complex data types - but
since you'd be hosting the webservice you could dictate the wdsl
contract anyway.
- Never let customers write direct to your database.
- Think carefully about what customers can see on your database. The
wrong stuff can be ... embarrasing ...
HTH
--
Cheers
============
Brian Abbott
(posting again after several months spent lurking ;-)
============
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