Re: OT: Which software?

"T.J." <no1@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> "John Bokma" <john@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:Xns96BD92B9885Acastleamber@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> "T.J." <no1@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>> "John Bokma" <john@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>
>>>> If the "moving on to databases" means Access: bad choice. I
>>>> recommend having a look at MySQL (or PostgreSQL).
>>>
>>> The thing is, I will be working on a site that is built in ASP
>>> with a MS-Access database.
>>
>> Ouch. Are you sure it's not MS SQL? AFAIK Access has some
>> limitations, especially regarding concurrent use.
>
> To be honest, I have no idea.
> I hope to find out more once I have a system
> with Access on it

Which you have to buy. Isn't it a bit silly to buy software if you're
not sure it's useable?

>>> I have no technical knowledge of databases and plan on
>>> learning as I go along.
>>
>> Book(s), see below.
>
> Got to agree their, but I like to do things by trial and error

Which is the worst possible way to program.

> and even if learning by book I would still want to test things
> out as I go along.

I never said you couldn't test things, but first: read the book two
times. Then you can select chapters, and test things. Or better: you are
not testing things, you are implementing things, because you *know* what
you are doing (you have read about it, remember? :-) ).

I know there are many people who measure productivity by the number of
keypresses they have done a day. So, yeah, to them, sitting in the
garden, reading a book is just wasting time. So they rather sit behind
the computer, book on their lap, and testing, trailing and guessing what
things do. Especially the guessing results in extremely bad programming
style. Instead of knowing what a sequence of instructions do, people
have a feeling about them. And hence, they start to program defensive
and unreadable code which is unmaintainable by others. (And by
themselves when, after years, they have a little better understanding).

In short: there are no shortcuts in learning to program.

>> As a developer you shouldn't be behind a computer for 16hrs/day.
>> Especially if you have to study, which can be better done *not*
>> behind a computer. 16hrs of concentration is beyond most humans
>> anyway :-)
>>
>
> I'm not actually sat her 16hrs a day, but always need to be here if
> I need to work or go online.

But you don't need a computer to:

draw a design
brainstorming
study
read documentation

> I would just like the option to pick something up, go and sit in the
> garden when the suns shining and still be able to work if I
> want to.

It's called a book, a piece of paper and a pen :-D.

>> You might consider a so called bare bone + LCD display. Which can be
>> moved. Also, because sitting 16hrs/day behind a laptop is not the
>> most ergonomic position.
>
> Thanks, never heard of a barebone before, I've just had a quick
> google and they look interesting, will look in to them more later.
> Any idea if they are better and cheaper than laptops?

I guess cheaper, compared to a laptop. Probably also better, because
there is more room for ventilation. And it's easier to add hardware
(within more limitations compared to a desktop computer).

(I think I didn't mention that most laptops are not to be put on your
laptop, since it overheats your reproductive system :-D). If you plan to
use a laptop full time however, there are special stands to move the
screen a bit more up.

>> Then developing a database + ASP seems to be quite a big thing to get
>> started.
>
> Not really developing the database, just want to know the basics
> if anything goes wrong and be able to add and remove things.

The basics is hardly enough. It's like being able to hold a steering
wheel is not enough to drive a car safely. A bad database design is as
bad as no database at all.

>>> and there are just not enough hours in the day at the moment to
>>> start learning more :o(
>>
>> :-) Notice that you probably learn faster by reading a book two times
>> :front to back compared to sitting behind a computer for 16hrs and
>> :just trying until it somehow works. Especially since many on line
>> :examples are questionable, or plain bad.
>
> Untill I get Acces and get in to the database I don't even know what
> to buy books about.
> Any recommendations appreciated.

Why did you pick ASP + Access in the first place? Often it's the best to
start describing *what* you want to learn/do, and ask suggestions for
which software, tools, etc.

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