Setting up a Sample Database

Next, you need to make sure that you have set up a sample database to test on. In the previous parts we have introduced MSAccess which is a good database to practice with since it is fairly lightweight and user-friendly. Of course, as we have said before, what database you use will not really matter. I am just using MSAccess to demonstrate.

Go ahead and setup a database with two tables: Employees and Customers with some sample data in each. In fact, here are the tables I am using for your reference:

When you are done with data entry, you'll need to register your database with your operating system. On Windows, you simply need to use the 32 bit ODBC Control panel.

The "Add Wizard" will walk you right through assigning a system ODBC name to the Access database you setup. Notice that I made four of them: "Access, db1, Extropia, and MyCompany.

Running CGI Applications on a Single StationLocal Area Network
Introduction to Databases for the Web | Table of Contents
Putting it all together with a DBI-AwareCGI Script