Data Sources
Database Design
This lesson covers the basics of relational database design and offers the following database design principles:
- Each table should have a column containing a unique row ID number to serve as the table's primary key.
- A table should store data for a single type of entity.
- A table should avoid columns that are allowed to contain null values. If you must have empty values, use an empty string.
- A table should not have repeating values.
- A field should have the same meaning in each row of a table.
- Multiple instances of an entity should not be represented as multiple columns.
UDL Wizard
Microsoft Windows has a UDL Wizard that can help you create a database connection string to data sources on your personal computer. If you would like to learn how to use the UDL Wizard, follow the link to this lesson that steps you through the process.
IUSR Permission
If you want an ASP script to be able to access a database, and you are getting database access denied errors, you may need to give the Internet user permission to access the database. This lesson shows you how to do this.
Dreamweaver Database Fix
Many students in this course are using Dreamweaver. If you get "None" for your table listing when you expand the database tree in the database window, you may need to apply the Dreamweaver extension containing the database patch that fixes this error. Follow these steps to install the patch:
- Select the site from the Files panel
- Pull down the Site menu and choose Advanced-->Remove Connection Scripts
- Install the extension
- Close and restart Dreamweaver
