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The basics of getting started for web...install and setup not design...

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    #1

    The basics of getting started for web...install and setup not design...

    Hi all,

    As I am sure many newbies say, please forgive the (possibly) dumb and numerous questions... I stumbled on Alpha a couple weeks ago and it looks so promising that I am really excited to get started. I have the trial version downloaded but have not yet installed it. I really want to have as good a grasp on the concepts as possible to use the trial to its fullest and really get a good feel. On top of that, if it does all of what I hear so many say it does out here (and other places), I will certainly want to leave things in place and license what I need to use to continue development from where the trial leaves off...

    I am an experienced developer in SQL (MSSQL, MySQL, Pervasive as well as MSAccess(17 years)) and have a fairly good background in networking so I am comfortable grasping those types of concepts quickly...the issue I am running into is where to actually get started before I actually start developing with Alpha Five v11?

    In many cases with these kinds of software, I need to setup a server, config the software to serve pages and or data, then start development on a desktop to setup connections to the data and pages.
    The fact that Alpha offers a trial is magnificent but I have been wading through the documents and nothing tells me where to start before I actually start developing...

    I would like to play with the trial for both Web and Desktop development....if the trial allows that...?
    I am planning to eventually be serving 300-400 users...with expected/planned growth far after that...

    My main questions are:

    How do I setup Alpha Five to serve web pages...
    ...where do I install it to do that? and/or What do I need to download or install to do that?
    ...Do I install the trial on a server (for serving the web pages) and then again on a desktop for development?
    ...I have seen IIS is a possibility and I have that setup in my environment now but can I just use Alpha as a server for the time being?

    Most of my users are either on the network or connected externally via cellular card and VPN. We have a Secured site setup for access to some of our systems without VPN (from outside the business) but I like that kept to a minimum. so most of the time users will be authenticated to our network via some sort of network connection (whether Virtual or physical)
    I have several SQL and MySQL servers all setup with data in them from previous MSAccess ODBC DSN connections. I read in the documentation that I should be able to simply connect to those and use the same data and structure as-is but from Alpha Five now...but where in the dickens do I put the web pages to connect to the data when a user opens the site?

    Whew...I know it might be a lot to ask but I am so excited to start I just want to get all the questions answered at once... :)

    Looking forward to any and all help on the basics before getting started with development...

    Thanks so much,

    Zjooj
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: The basics of getting started for web...install and setup not design...

    I was in your shoes a couple of years ago, but the great thing with Alpha is that it is quite easy once you figure out some of the basics.
    A great place to start is by looking at the videos, these were a tremendous help to me, especially the ones by Steve Workings (although I think his only come with a paid license). His videos walk you through right from step one and creating your connection string to SQL or whatever dbase you use. http://image.exct.net/lib/fef5107670...tal_Jan25.html
    Selwyn's videos are great too but more task specific ... http://news.alphasoftware.com/v11preview/videos_v11.htm

    In order to serve up web pages, you require the Alpha Web Application Server (WAS) which also requires a licence.
    With the trial developer version however, you can publish your web app to localhost. This should be enough for you to figure out if Alpha suits your needs.
    If you do purchase the WAS, you just install it on your LAN server or a hosting service and publish to it instead of localhost.

    I think IIS was 'supposed' to be in the works for version 11 but I don't know what the timeline is on that. Alpha has been tight-lipped on IIS lately.

    Also, this forum is great! I got tons of support here from many of the more experienced developers. Now I try to help out here where I can.
    Welcome to Alpha ... hope you'll be around for a long time

    Stephen
    Last edited by iRadiate; February 06, 2013, 06:04 PM.
    Alpha Anywhere v12.4.6.5.7 Build 9305-5711 IIS v10.0 on Windows Server 2019 Std in Hyper-V

    Comment

      #3
      Re: The basics of getting started for web...install and setup not design...

      How do I setup Alpha Five to serve web pages...
      ...where do I install it to do that? and/or What do I need to download or install to do that?
      ...Do I install the trial on a server (for serving the web pages) and then again on a desktop for development?
      ...I have seen IIS is a possibility and I have that setup in my environment now but can I just use Alpha as a server for the time being?


      Zjooj, unfortunately there are not a whole lot of books out there telling you how to do all this stuff. But check out www.LibertyManuals.com ...
      Peter
      AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

       [email protected]
      https://www.alphabasesolutions.com

      Comment

        #4
        Re: The basics of getting started for web...install and setup not design...

        wow...I may need a manual before I even start developing? that can't be right? Soooo many people say its easy to get started and I am no stranger or slouch to elbow grease and study (per my OP) but just to install and get ready for development I am being sent to buy manuals before I am even interested in even buying the software? I'm confused...maybe the reviews I have read are missing something? I have even researched (hard) for "bad reviews" on Alpha software and the only ones I find are from bitter die hard (and blow hard) MSAccess fans...

        Can anyone else point me in the right direction to get started before I start developing?

        Pretty please?

        Zjooj

        Comment

          #5
          Re: The basics of getting started for web...install and setup not design...

          Alpha Software used to have a 30-day (I think) money-back guarantee. I don't know if they still do, but you might ask sales. If they do, buy Alpha and get the benefit of the tutorial videos that come with it (make sure that's part of whatever you buy). Those tutorials will walk you through in an order that makes sense. A5 is so big that your question is not unusual: where to get started? These will help.
          -Steve
          sigpic

          Comment

            #6
            Re: The basics of getting started for web...install and setup not design...

            Originally posted by thezjooj View Post
            wow...I may need a manual before I even start developing? that can't be right? Soooo many people say its easy to get started and I am no stranger or slouch to elbow grease and study (per my OP)
            I guess I didn't expect gratitude, but neither did I expect an attitude. You asked such wide and general questions (which are difficult to answer succinctly) that it seemed to me that you need to do a little homework first. Your response suggests just the opposite of someone who is "no stranger or slouch to elbow grease and study".

            Can anyone else point me in the right direction to get started before I start developing?
            Good luck!

            Pretty please?
            There's nothing pretty about your response. Don't kid yourself buddy.
            Peter
            AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

             [email protected]
            https://www.alphabasesolutions.com

            Comment

              #7
              Re: The basics of getting started for web...install and setup not design...

              Originally posted by Peter.Greulich View Post
              I guess I didn't expect gratitude, but neither did I expect an attitude. You asked such wide and general questions (which are difficult to answer succinctly) that it seemed to me that you need to do a little homework first. Your response suggests just the opposite of someone who is "no stranger or slouch to elbow grease and study".



              Good luck!


              There's nothing pretty about your response. Don't kid yourself buddy.
              Great Boston humor... made me smile when I read it..

              In reality Peter is very good about sharing information. One of the best on the forum...
              "Ollie, remember how dumb I used to be? Well, I'm much better now."

              Pete

              Comment

                #8
                Re: The basics of getting started for web...install and setup not design...

                As I indicated in my first post, in my opinion, the best introduction to Alpha development starts with Steve Workings videos. If I recall, some of them were included in the trial ... at least more than enough to give a good grasp of the basics. If that's not the case, ask Alpha sales, they are very accommodating. You ask advice then turn around and imply that's not good enough. Nice!

                Alpha Five is a very powerful tool. I do not believe you will find anything that is in the same league. It strives to make things as easy as possible if you don't want to program, but at the same time you can take it to as complex a level as you are capable. As such, you are just going to roll up your sleeves and dig in.

                Install the developer on any workstation you like. It does not have to be an enterprise class server. My first development desktop was nothing special. Forget about the Application Server at this point.
                As you develop a web application, like I said, you publish to localhost on the development workstation. This will allow you to see what the app will look like in a browser.
                If it does what you want, then you would buy the Application Server and install it on what you want to use as your application server. Now you can publish to the application server instead of your localhost.

                You come here asking for help, so don't cop an attitude, the guys on this forum are incredibly helpful and I'm sure won't appreciate it.
                Alpha Anywhere v12.4.6.5.7 Build 9305-5711 IIS v10.0 on Windows Server 2019 Std in Hyper-V

                Comment

                  #9
                  Re: The basics of getting started for web...install and setup not design...

                  Alpha IS easy to get started, but don't let the relative "simplicity" fool you! The [length of] learning curve for any piece of software is still tied to how much it can do ... and A5 can do a lot!

                  As you are coming from the Access world, to get you up and running to something tangible, quickly, I recommend that you download the White Paper "ALPHA FIVE WEB APPLICATIONS FOR ACCESS DEVELOPERS" and just work through it.

                  You will find this on the Alphapedia site (CONTENTS > PRODUCT INFO > WHITE PAPERS).

                  As Stephen suggests above, forget about the WAS at this point. Just publish to your local host.
                  Last edited by Paullm; February 07, 2013, 11:45 AM.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Re: The basics of getting started for web...install and setup not design...

                    Steve,

                    After reading your suggestion I looked and I think they still do. I may call sales to double check. Thanks a ton. Really my issue is more of just a "basic get started and configuring during install" concern. I am an IT Admin at the company I work for and prefer not to have my email and business info in the hands of sales folks till I have tried the product, especially when a trial is offered. I tend to get a TON of "Are you ready to buy yet?" emails and it gets pretty old when I test a lot of software. Honestly I am really excited about using the Alpha software and don't want to ruin my trial period by installing or configuring it incorrectly and then I can't test what I want to test for my scenario. Thats really what my questions are trying to get at...


                    Thanks again Steve.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Re: The basics of getting started for web...install and setup not design...

                      A5 is quite simple to install, has it's own installer. Just run it, accept the default directory it suggests unless you have a really good reason to pick something else.

                      When you create your database (new terminology is "workspace") keep each in its own folder. Newbies tend to put their workspace folders in the A5 program file folder and while this is "OK" it's not recommended.

                      It works, as installed, outta the box, without a whole lot of concerns about initial setup and configuration. Those concerns begin as you design your application, and you'll find plenty of advice and help here. First thing to do is use the Search feature of this board. Then, if you have a specific question, ask it, keep each post to one question, title it properly etc.

                      If you're this far then I know that it's about time for your official welcome to the Alpha community.
                      -Steve
                      sigpic

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Re: The basics of getting started for web...install and setup not design...

                        Wow, while I was replying to Steve I got so many more responses. All very nice. Thanks to all. :)

                        Guess I just dig in... here goes...

                        ...and thanks for the welcome Steve.

                        Regards,

                        Zjooj

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