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Sound files possibilities in a database

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    Sound files possibilities in a database

    Is there a way to place a [WAV], [MP3] or [MID] file into an Alpha Five database please?

    1. Firstly to enable me to double-click on it so that it plays the music direct from the database.

    2. Alternatively if the reference to the file itself is copied to the field, then could that reference subsequently be copied and pasted to the hard disk directly out of the database. As a result being able to play the sound again if the original file had been removed from the hard disk.

    Or is it we can only just copy the music file reference to a field indicating the source of where the file can be located on our hard disk,DVD-ROM or whatever source.

    I am curious, because later I would like to be able to permit people to view music fragments from a database on a website. Subsequently allowing them to be downloaded.

    It is just that I can see a lot about BMP and JPG images, but not much (unless I missed it - on sound files).

    Many thanks.
    ----David

    #2
    RE: Sound files possibilities in a database

    David

    The Calendar and toolbox addin has a tool to embed sound files into a database in a manner very similar to the method used to embed global bitmaps. It includes a method to extract the sound later as a wav file. The sound file is not part of a table but actually embedded into the data dictionary for the database. It only supports wav files, since that is the only type of sound file supported by A5.

    While this is very handy for saving special sounds for use in a database, it would not be a good method to save a large quantity of sound files. In that case, a better solution would be to save the sound file as an external wav file and have some reference to the file name. You can use play_sound() to play the sound

    Jerry

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Sound files possibilities in a database

      Thanks Jerry. Understand your help on the play_sound().
      Where you mention saving the sound file as an external wav file and have some reference to the filename, do you mean within the website design. Or do you mean somewhere in the database. Sorry about the misunderstanding on my part.

      I looked at where it says Addin Manager, but could see no reference to any addins at all. Similarly with the Calendar. Could you kindly point me in the direction to find these items please.

      As I am only a few days into evaluation I am not very well up on the program at this stage and I am sure you will understand.

      Many thanks on your kind help so far. It has clarified a lot for me regarding what I can and cannot do with certain music files.

      ----David

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Sound files possibilities in a database

        David

        There a number of addins that can be purchased for A5V5 and A5V6. These do not come with the program but can be added later. The Alpha Software website has a full listing with descriptions.

        If there are many sounds files, these could be saved in some folder on your computer. How you access these files will depend on the interface used. If you are working with a standard form in a local database, you could place a button on the form and use Action Scripting to allow a user to first select a file name and then play the file.

        If you are working from a web interface, that introduces a number of new problems. The biggest is the need to download the file to the client. There have been a few posts on the Web Application forum about that, but I don't know if it can be done. You could show a listing of files available, but that isn't much help. Perhaps someone else may provide a different answer for the web solution. These threads may be give you more information

        http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/alphaphorum/read.php3?sortby=lastreply&direction=desc&num=16&id=1284&thread=1281

        http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/alphaphorum/read.php3?sortby=lastreply&direction=desc&num=16&id=804&thread=699

        Jerry

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Sound files possibilities in a database

          Jerry

          Thank you very much indeed for the information I will follow up both those links.

          The time you have taken to address my question is most appreciated - thanks again.

          ----David

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Sound files possibilities in a database

            Playing the file in the web app is actually quite easy. When the file is sent to the browser, the browser will recognize the file type and open the user's deafult applicAtion to play it or prompt them to save it locally.

            All you need to do is copy the file somewhere under the webroot so their browser can access it.

            There is also a technique that can be used to access the files and leave them outside the web root. Let me know if you'd like more info on how to do that.

            -Lenny

            Lenny Forziati
            Vice President, Internet Products and Technical Services
            Alpha Software Corporation

            Comment


              #7
              RE: Sound files possibilities in a database



              Lenny Forziati wrote:
              -------------------------------
              There is also a technique that can be used to access the files and leave them outside the web root. Let me know if you'd like more info on how to do that.
              -Lenny

              Thanks Lenny. Yes please I would like that info - no rush however, just when you have a moment.

              Oh, and while I am writing - you probably know that I am evaluating V6 now. Very pleased so far, and especially with this Message Board and its valuable assistance.

              I used to be up to speed years ago on HTML but now am a bit rusty having been away from it for about 3 years -however is it the [index.html] file that is looked for first in website design matters as it used to be?

              Many thanks.
              ----David

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Sound files possibilities in a database

                David,

                While evaluating V6 you may find it easier to get responses to your questions that are specific to the web application server by using the forum specifically designed for that purpose. Go back to the forum listings and you will see one for the web application server.

                Below is a post from that forum that answers your question.

                Good luck
                Cheryl

                RE: index.a5w or index.html
                Msg ID: 1370
                Subject: RE: index.a5w or index.html
                Author: john bowen
                Date: 01-21-2005 4:34 PM
                File:

                Dan:
                On the Alpha5host.com site, the default pages we have listed are currently:
                index.a5w
                index.htm
                index.html
                mainmenu.a5w

                If a page is not specified in the URL, the webserver will look for these pages in the order. It displays the first one found.

                John Bowen
                http://admin.alpha5host.com
                Cheryl
                #1 Designs By Pagecrazy
                http://pagecrazy.com/

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: Sound files possibilities in a database

                  Lenny,

                  I would also like to know how to do this, as you know, I do not like my db files in the webroot directory ***winks***

                  Thanks
                  Cheryl
                  Cheryl
                  #1 Designs By Pagecrazy
                  http://pagecrazy.com/

                  Comment


                    #10
                    RE: Sound files possibilities in a database

                    however is it the [index.html] file that is looked for first in website design matters as it used to be?

                    This varies from server to server and can be configured by the server administartor.

                    The Web Application Server's default for this is index.a5w and then index.html. You can change this order or define different pages to be searched for if the user does not request a specific page.

                    -Lenny

                    Lenny Forziati
                    Vice President, Internet Products and Technical Services
                    Alpha Software Corporation

                    Comment


                      #11
                      RE: Sound files possibilities in a database

                      Cheryl

                      Thanks for your advice on getting help regarding questions that are specific to the web application server. Will go there in future.

                      Also for the post that answered my question regarding [index.html]. Great. Appreciated.

                      ----David

                      Comment


                        #12
                        RE: Sound files possibilities in a database

                        David,

                        Lenny's advise is better than mine. I made the assumption that you might go with the alphahost which was a poor assumption to make.

                        The WAS has its own internal settings to determine the pages as Lenny states. If you are the one controlling the web server you would edit these settings to the pages that you want the server to search for and in what order until it finds the appropriate one. This is found on the General tab as described in the help files.

                        Configuring and Running the Server

                        Cheryl
                        Cheryl
                        #1 Designs By Pagecrazy
                        http://pagecrazy.com/

                        Comment

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