sglee
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Choice of Web Tool for Database-driven application better for Shopping Cart
Hi,
I have been designing database driven websites using ColdFusion/MS Access in the past. Whenever customer asked that I add "Shopping Cart" functionality and I posted a question on this board to learn about shopping cart integration with CF code, experts seemed to indicate that CF was not the best app development tool if I need to add shopping cart to the website.
Having said that I am about to develop another website that is database-driven with the possibility of selling items on the website.
(1) What language or platform provides the easiest integration of shopping cart for the items stored in MS ACCESS or some type of database format?
(2) Also I need to make this website "Mobile Compatible".
I have been designing database driven websites using ColdFusion/MS Access in the past. Whenever customer asked that I add "Shopping Cart" functionality and I posted a question on this board to learn about shopping cart integration with CF code, experts seemed to indicate that CF was not the best app development tool if I need to add shopping cart to the website.
Having said that I am about to develop another website that is database-driven with the possibility of selling items on the website.
(1) What language or platform provides the easiest integration of shopping cart for the items stored in MS ACCESS or some type of database format?
(2) Also I need to make this website "Mobile Compatible".
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.NET is a wonderful tool, most possibly the best thing Microsoft ever did. But with over 10000 classes (no error in the number of zeroes there), each with an average of 50-60 properties and methods, plus a completely object oriented environment, at least remove the "pretty" before the "quick". Even "quick" is something for the hopeful.
The problem with Access is not as much the amount of data as the number of users. It was designed for a unique user. Although the market forced them to adapt it to multi-users, Access still suffers from it basic design. On a web site, you never know how many users you will have. And since Access can process only one request at a time, that may slow things a lot if you happen to have many simultaneous users.
Over that, Access does not offer the proper security to serve as a the backbone of a serious web site. This is even worst if you use a version of Access that is newer than 2003. Some stuff may be "down the road", but changing everything after a few months or a few years is usually worst that doing it from scratch in the beginning, so better do it right right now.
Just an opinion, based on more than 20 years of experience with Access. Access is a wonderful tool when used for what it was designed to do, but the Web as we know it was not even in sight when Access was designed, and it was never designed to serve many simultaneous users.
The problem with Access is not as much the amount of data as the number of users. It was designed for a unique user. Although the market forced them to adapt it to multi-users, Access still suffers from it basic design. On a web site, you never know how many users you will have. And since Access can process only one request at a time, that may slow things a lot if you happen to have many simultaneous users.
Over that, Access does not offer the proper security to serve as a the backbone of a serious web site. This is even worst if you use a version of Access that is newer than 2003. Some stuff may be "down the road", but changing everything after a few months or a few years is usually worst that doing it from scratch in the beginning, so better do it right right now.
Just an opinion, based on more than 20 years of experience with Access. Access is a wonderful tool when used for what it was designed to do, but the Web as we know it was not even in sight when Access was designed, and it was never designed to serve many simultaneous users.
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ASKER
@kusala & @JamesBurger
I am new to .NET and PHP. I am not a website designer, rather ACCESS programmer and later learned ColdFusion. I do have a web designer who takes care of website design and I add database functionality to it.
That said, I would like to evaluate both PHP and .NET to see which is I am going to stick to moving forward (and replace Coldfusion).
Could you make some suggestions as to what would be best way to learn PHP and .NET in the shortest amount of time - whether it is online video training or books ... etc?
I am new to .NET and PHP. I am not a website designer, rather ACCESS programmer and later learned ColdFusion. I do have a web designer who takes care of website design and I add database functionality to it.
That said, I would like to evaluate both PHP and .NET to see which is I am going to stick to moving forward (and replace Coldfusion).
Could you make some suggestions as to what would be best way to learn PHP and .NET in the shortest amount of time - whether it is online video training or books ... etc?
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@myselfrandhawa
I will look into your suggestions - cfshopkart & Mura CMS.
I have some experience in custom app development in MS ACCESS programmer and learned how to use ColdFusion to develop database-driven website. It was simple to learn and program. However when I had to build a shopping cart (where I had no prior experience), I had to advertize for that job and every one who responded to the Ad seemed to indicate that CF is not a best choice and they were willing to change CF part of website with something different.
Now I don't mind learning another language whether it is .NET or PHP, but learning a new language thru tutorials is one thing, but becoming good enough to develop a website is another. It will be time-consuming.
But if there are shopping carts out there that I can easily integrate into the current CF-driven websites, I am all for it.
I will look into your suggestions - cfshopkart & Mura CMS.
I have some experience in custom app development in MS ACCESS programmer and learned how to use ColdFusion to develop database-driven website. It was simple to learn and program. However when I had to build a shopping cart (where I had no prior experience), I had to advertize for that job and every one who responded to the Ad seemed to indicate that CF is not a best choice and they were willing to change CF part of website with something different.
Now I don't mind learning another language whether it is .NET or PHP, but learning a new language thru tutorials is one thing, but becoming good enough to develop a website is another. It will be time-consuming.
But if there are shopping carts out there that I can easily integrate into the current CF-driven websites, I am all for it.
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ASKER
OK. I will check out cartweaver.
ASKER
@myselfrandhawa
I did not have time until today to return to this issue.
I visited both CartWeaver and CFWebStore. As you indicated, I tend to like CartWeaver.
Here is what I need to build in CF for this website.
They like to see photo w/ frame:
Each items has Description/Product Category/Artiest who created it/Reg. Price/Sale Price/Date Posted (on the website).
There are 30 some product categories and artists. The shopper should be able to list products/items based on Product Category or Artist. The list will display several items with small pictures (two row/three columns) per page with Navigation buttons. When the item is clicked, then the bigger picture will be displayed along with full description of the product and price along with [Add to Cart].
I am able to create CF based web pages that does what is described above.
But I have no idea how to make the connection from this to Shopping Cart.
If I buy CartWeaver, it is pretty simply? Is there a tutorial on how to integrate the shopping cart into my CFM page?
I did not have time until today to return to this issue.
I visited both CartWeaver and CFWebStore. As you indicated, I tend to like CartWeaver.
Here is what I need to build in CF for this website.
They like to see photo w/ frame:
Each items has Description/Product Category/Artiest who created it/Reg. Price/Sale Price/Date Posted (on the website).
There are 30 some product categories and artists. The shopper should be able to list products/items based on Product Category or Artist. The list will display several items with small pictures (two row/three columns) per page with Navigation buttons. When the item is clicked, then the bigger picture will be displayed along with full description of the product and price along with [Add to Cart].
I am able to create CF based web pages that does what is described above.
But I have no idea how to make the connection from this to Shopping Cart.
If I buy CartWeaver, it is pretty simply? Is there a tutorial on how to integrate the shopping cart into my CFM page?
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ASKER
@myselfrandhawa
I will give that a shot and post the result in the next couple of weeks.
I will give that a shot and post the result in the next couple of weeks.
ASKER
Thanks for the in-depth analysis and I appreciate it.
I guess I need to learn .NET pretty quick because this seems to be what is widely being used.
As to the database, I am going to stick to MS ACCESS with .NET because (1) I am familiar with ACCESS/VB programming (2) the website will have < 100 items to display/list. They may sell stuff online down the road, but for now, it is to display items for browsing purposes.
As to mobile device compatibility, I will look for the book.