[byteshed]

Can anybody help?

I have a client who has requested a site with forms that store info on a mySQL database - no problem there.

He now wants to access this information on his standalone computer using Microsoft Access. Basically he wants to log on to his site, download the DB contents, work on it off line then upload it when he has altered the contents.

I understand that there cannot be a direct link between his work PC and the mySQL database because of security issues and that he has to access the database through his website using localhost.

Is there a GPL PHP program that anybody can think of that will allow the download of his database onto his PC, then convert it to Access, then when he's finished convert it back to mySQL and upload the revised DB?

I know its a bit of a challenge but any suggestions gratefully received.

Kevin - The Byte Shed

[Apok]

I haven't seen any products that do this already - but then I haven't really looked.

If you can't find one your best bet would be to code a system using PHP to export the data as a .csv that can be imported into access, then get your client to export the changes to .csv and upload that to the PHP script to put back in the mySQL server.

Hope that helps

[byteshed]

Thanks,

I think I might have to do that if he still insists on doing things this way. But I've coded a web-based solution that he may like - I can see all sorts of problems if he updates off-line.

[Ian]

Hi Kevin,

Have you looked at MySqlCC (Control Centre from www.mysql.com) or MySqlFront which may be a little easier to use that the MyPhpAdmin in CPanel.

Does your client have a fixed IP address?
Only we are currently looking at an application that would access a MySql database from Access using an ODBC connector, but for security it would be advisable to use it from a fixed IP.

Regards,
Ian

[Ian]

This may be of interest ...

http://dev.mysql.com/doc/connector/odbc/en/faq_4.html

Regards,
Ian

[byteshed]

Thanks Ian,

Regards
Kevin