Question Beginning Visual Studio

[meridius10]

I have spent the last few days trying things out in VS 2010 Pro. I have SQL Server 2008 and am trying to create a front end for a relational database I am working on.

I tried a Windows Form Application which appeared ok, until I got to the stage where I needed to drag the text box into the combobox. Whilst, that is ok, the relational corresponder to the related table is not giving me the correct description corresponder in the other table.

I then tried a WPF Application and modelled my database on this video: How Do I: Create a Simple Data Entry Form in WPF?

What I'm looking for is a way to create a web based data entry form which is linked to my database in SQL Server 2008. Looking at the WPF procedure, this seems to involve a lot of code, wheras the Windows Forms Application is a little easier, even though things are not working properly at the moment.

Using a trial version of Visual Studio 2010 Professional, I have many options from 'File>New Project' and 'File>New Website', but am not sure what is the best application to use for a web based interface which involves more drag and drop and less coding.

 

[jmcilhinney]

Create a new project and select ASP.NET Web Forms.

 

[meridius10]

Well, I tried using VWD 2010 Express, 'ASP.NET MVC2 Web Application'.

I don't know if there is a better application to use, especially as I will need to change one of the id columns to a description column (linked in another related table - done, for example, in a MS Access form by changing a text box to a combobox and linking it to the other related column in the related table etc.). I followed these instructions, but using the database I am working on which I connected from an existing SQL Server 2008 database:

Create a Movie Database Application in 15 Minutes with ASP.NET MVC: The Official Microsoft ASP.NET Site

I installed IIS but still can't see the Index page on the My MVC Application IIS7 so this is yet another problem. I have created a new account with MVC.

Didn't know exactly which ASP.NET web forms you were referring to.

 

[jmcilhinney]

Web Forms and MVC are alternative methodologies for creating ASP.NET web applications. Personally, I prefer MVC, but Web Forms is designed to be more like the Windows Forms, where you drag controls onto the page and then set their properties in the designer. MVC requires you to write more code yourself.

I just checked and the actual project template for Web Forms is called "ASP.NET Web Application".

You might also consider starting out with Web Matrix, which is a free download, instead of VWD. It does a bit more hand-holding. You can always migrate a Web Matrix project to VWD in the future if you want.

Also, you should use IIS Express rather than trying to deploy to the full IIS. Web Matrix uses IIS Express by default and VWD Express SP1 has an option in the project properties to use IIS Express rather then the built-in development web server.

 

[meridius10]

OK - thanks, I've got quite a few alternatives to look into so this is good.

I've still got the remaining problem of not seeing the index page on the "My MVC Application" site, which is stopping me seeing my work on the local host. Any ideas?

 

[jmcilhinney]

Do you have SQL Server Express installed? Assuming that you do, you should just be able to create a new MVC project and run it as is to see the opening page. Can you?

 

[meridius10]

Yes I have SQL Server 2008 installed. I was experimenting with Web Matrix and ran into the same problem (not having the Index page showing) as with VWD 2010 Express.

I've attached a Word document showing two screenshots; the first is mine, and the second is the way it should look with the index page so something is wrong somewhere. I've searched around the net for this problem, but can't find a proper solution to it. I am using IE9.

 

[jmcilhinney]

Why attach a Word document in a ZIP file when you can just attach the images themselves? You are making it more difficult for us unnecessarily.

 

[meridius10]

I have figured out this problem. Thanks for your help.