Microsoft Access Database, Data Access Pages?

[jeolin]

I hope I don't end up regreting posting this question (if it has an easy answer). I've spent about 8 hours (no kidding) trying to solve this problem.

 

I created a Data Access Page in MS Access XP for a database that I want to upload to my website. I know that in the long-run, switching to mySQL and building PHP pages to do what I need is probably the best option, but I've only started to learn PHP and haven't had the time lately to work more on it...so I wanted a quick fix. Thus, I turned to Access.

 

When I upload the database, access page, and Secured.mdw files to my page, I can access the HTML access page and when no user-level security passwords are set, I have no problem inputting data. I found, however, that if I uploaded with the database file location set to my local hard drive, even the webpage updated my local copy of the database (this alone took about 4 hours to realize).

 

When I try setting the database and MDW file locations to the server address, I keep getting errors. I've tried every amalgamation of server addressing possible, but have found that what SHOULD work (/home/usrname/public_html/dir/database.mdb) doesn't work...for either of the two database files.

 

So, to start, my primary question comes down to this...does the Apache Server installed on the TCH servers host these files? I've tried to understand the Jet 4.0 software and after many more hours of research (there's no easily found answer), it seems that this has nothing to an internet server (even though all the help files I read seem to indicate that these files should be easily sent to a server). Are all of the Microsoft help files and webpages written, in Microsoft's ARROGANCE, assuming that these files will only be used on ASP/Windows servers?

 

Since I seem to have come to my own conclusion that this isn't going to work, are there any other options to using Access databases on an Apache server?

 

Thanks to whoever helps (and if I'm just missing something really basic, please feel free to make me feel like an idiot).

 

JK

[LisaJill]

Yes, they assume their M$ only, Access is a Windows only database. =)

[btrfld]

There is an option: you can use Access to access (nyuk nyuk nyuk) a MySQL database on your TCH server. Check out how at http://www.itc.virginia.edu/desktop/web/mysql/msaccess.html.

 

As far as managing the database itself, phpMyAdmin works great and is available through cPanel.

- You create the database and user and connect them to each other using the 'MySQL Databases' link.

- Then once that is done you can export your Access database in some csv format, and import it into the MySQL database and manage it with phpMyAdmin.

 

Hope that helps.

[jeolin]

Thank you both.