mtbvfr
Posts: 5
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| Posted: 02/27/2006, 7:21 PM |
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Hi All,
I've been programming Database Applications since 1993 but I'm pretty new to Web Programming. I am trying to determine the best path to take regarding the development of an Application that will be accessed by Web Browsers for a client of mine in Australia.
My client's requirement is for people to be able to access a Task Driven Application, rather than a Content-Based Web Site, from anywhere by using the Internet and Browsers. The application has been developed with VS .Net 2003. The people who were previously working on it have not done a very good job, I think, and it's not User Friendly for such an application. They basically have one aspx Page and "poke" Web Controls (.ascx) into a Table on the fly using VB .Net.
You can look at an Access 2000 database (http://www.scantag.com.au/Documents/ClientProfileInterface.mdb) which has a Start Up Form displaying my proposed layout for one part of the application using Frames. We have now decided the Combo Boxes you will see for "Enter/View Client Data" and "Enter/View Other Site Data" will be replaced by a TreeView Control from obout.com.
As you can see from the Access DB we would have a Client and there are different Sections of Data to be entered for a Client and some of those Sections may have Sub-Sections. For example, a Site Section for a Client would have its own Sections of data.
My initial thoughts have been that such an Application would be more easily facilitated and maintained with the use of Frames loaded with aspx pages.
Here is an article I found regarding the proper use of Frames:
http://www.15seconds.com/issue/030528.htm
There is a lot of discussion that CSS is the way to go with Web Development but the reading I have done, so far, suggests that different hacks are required for different browsers as well as general other fudging required to emulate the use of Frames.
The data is mostly of a hierarchical structure. I think it would be more User Friendly if people do not have to scroll up and down a page. Once they have accessed a top level of the data they should be able to point and click to access (drill down to) related sub-levels of the data within a Frame or Nested Frames on the same page as the top level data in a similar fashion as you would use Nested Forms in an Access Front-End.
Is it possible to emulate Nested Frames with CSS?
If so, would it entail a lot more work using CSS to achieve such an interface especially as I envisage this layout as the best way to present such an application?
Is it possible to use CSS with .Net and .aspx files in this way or am I on the right track with my proposal of loading frames with .aspx pages?
How would such an Application be structured by CodeCharge Studio? Would it also dynamically update a page with different controls as and when required?
If a page was created/manipulated, without frames, by dynamically loading controls within a Table structure would not the whole page need to be reloaded, as against only a Frame needing to be loaded with only its controls (sometimes only 2 or 3), and hence take more time for the application to respond to the User's input/actions?
With my proposal each frame page would have its own Form with an Update/Submit button. Whether using the frames or dynamic method, would both require similar coding for the transfer of data to the database? Would it be simpler using my frames proposal or using the Dynamic approach? Which is going to be more efficient and quicker?
We have other projects in the pipeline and I am also interested to learn whether CCS integerates with VS.Net IDE. Does it need to integrate with this environment to produce .Net apps or require it for testing purposes? If required, which version of VS.Net is recommended?
Is it truly easier to create and manage Web Applications with this product than say VS.Net or does it come with it its own set of quirks that you have to adapt to?
Thanks,
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Michael Holberton
Hospedaje Macha Wasi & Sacred Valley Mountain Bike Tours
Cusco Database Development and Cycling Services
http://www.machawasi.com
http://databaseservices.blogspot.com
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ryan
Posts: 41
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| Posted: 03/04/2006, 7:27 PM |
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Michael :
It seems to me that you're concerned visually and technically on how this projects goes. Yes CCS can do the report grids fast. But regarding the DHTML frames and such? You have to do some tedious testings as well. For me the latest Opera (8.52 I think) and IE browser is just fine with me.
I suggest that you stick with a design that fits or looks acceptable for the browser of your choice. As a web developer I do not have any extensive talents on web design. So I just pattern some CodeCharge Studio examples (portal, store, etc.)
Once I need that, I have to choose some DHTML menu and iframes so that it acts like this table with records is the only one that gets refreshed and the rest are just include files on CCS.
Going back to your narrative. I would suggest the following.
a>Do not use listboxes for 10,000 records or even just 999. You can click and probably open a popup then the grid is displayed there. Once you click that the popup closes then you get the record. This is very similar to the date picker javascript integrated with CCS.
b>When using popups you might want to set a policy among your intranet/internet team that users must enable popups. There are some users that follow the concept that popups are risky. (adware, virus, spy, etc.) But since it's your project you do require enforcing this policy of allowing popups or whatever.
c>Again the policy of using standard browsers, IE, opera or firefoz would be fine. But still there are some users who wish to try what is not allowed. You might want to set a rule on your site that says "This application works best on optimized browsers IE, firefox, etc." So why the heck risk wasting development/design time on one feature that does not work and sacrifice the essence of the web application. You can always cheat the textbox look, form elements, tables, etc. with a CSS/Cascading Style Sheet. Just do this on the latter part of your project.
d>Some sites require navigation menus. For example DHTML menus are readily available. But of some these DHTML scripts do not work well with the CSS popup date picker. You might want to change CCS popup date picker or test which one works both for you. Posting a support regarding these issues is pointless. You may be the one who will solve these scripting issues after all.
e>Is it possible to use CSS with .Net and .aspx files in this way or am I on the right track with my proposal of loading frames with .aspx pages?
CCS generates its own .NET and .aspx, bin files. I am not sure if you can easily port VS.NET pages with CCS. In fact I doubt not at all. CCS follows Microsoft technology but it does not mean they can be easily compatible with one another. So what's the point of creating CCS right?
Nested frames can be done with CCS. The painful part is you have to properly know where to place the CCS templates <!--Begin--> and <!--End--> otherwise you will have a messy page. And it's hard to debug. for example on ASP.NET the asp datagrid becomes <div>...</div> and the ASP label control becomes <span>...</span> So there might be spacing issues and inconsistency on your pages. This is where the trouble begins.
Personally I will choose only one between VS.NET and CCS. I will go with CCS. There are a lot of unneccesary features that come with VS.NET I do not need them at all. And they keep on upgrading and upgrading and asking me you must have this first b4 you will need this. I think if I have the best hardware specs. I will go with VS.NET. But economically/practically ... I will stick with CCS. Of course this is just my opinion.
Best luck to you Mike
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