Database Notes and Alterations Information
See Also: Read Me and Upgrading
from Version 1
Changing the Location of the Database
When you unzip the original files, the site is set up with the database
in the data folder. If you put the main folder (userpages2) in
the directory "C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\userpages2" or your
root web folder, then you shouldn't need to change the code in this
file. This is the current connection string used for running the application
within your root web directory (e.g.. C:\Inetpub\wwwroot)
<%
' FileName="Connection_ado_conn_string.htm"
' Type="ADO"
' HTTP="true"
' Catalog=""
' Schema=""
MM_conn_db_STRING = "Driver={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};DBQ="
& Server.MapPath("/userpages2/data/db.mdb") & ";"
%>
Note: when
testing, editing and for showing live data view from within UltraDev,
you must have your web server running at the time (from IIS/PWS
- "Default Web Site" is running) for the connection to be made
as it uses a data connection on the application server. You do
not need to have the web server running if you use a DSN - a DSN does
not use the application server to check the connection from within UltraDev.
For running the application (userpages2) from another directory,
you will probably have to edit the file conn_db.asp to point to
the right path of the database.
Example A: if you have the folder userpages inside
a folder called "development", then the path should
read:
MM_conn_db_STRING
= "Driver={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};DBQ=" & Server.MapPath("/development/userpages2/data/db.mdb")
& ";"
If you put your database in a different directory, you will need
to edit the file conn_db.asp to map to where the database is.
Example B: if you have the database in your "cgi-bin"
folder (root web directory/cgi-bin) on the server, the connection would
need to be:
MM_conn_db_STRING
= "Driver={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};DBQ=" & Server.MapPath("/cgi-bin/db.mdb")
& ";"
If you put your database in folder above the root directory, you will
need to make a DSN.
Example C: to refer to the DSN that has been made to connect to
your database, the file conn_db.asp will look like this:
<%
' Filename="Connection_odbc_conn_dsn.htm"
' Type="ADO"
' HTTP="false"
' Catalog=""
' Schema=""
MM_conn_db_STRING = "dsn=userpages2;"
%>
Where the name of the DSN is usepages2
(this will be whatever you called the DSN when it is made - may be any
name you like but it must be stated within the conn_db.asp file
as above).
There is some info on using connections from Macromedia at: http://www.macromedia.com/support/ultradev/ts/documents/mappath_in_connection_strin.htm
Protecting Your Database
If you run this site on a remote server (i.e. not on your local machine),
it is advisable to change the database path to stop other users obtaining
it.
The ideal location to place your database is above your root
web folder, so it is not accessible from a http address and can only
be accessed through FTP. The simplest way to define a connection in this
case is by creating a DSN (data source name). The way you create your
DSN will depend on what access you have to the server.
There is also a guide defining how you set up a DSN within the
UltraDev help section (press F1 to get help within UltraDev).
The FTP view of your domain may look something like the
screen-shot below. In this case, the folder "database"
is above the root (htdocs is the root web folder here) and
is not accessible by a web address.

Examples of Possible Folder Layout on the
Server
I have outlined what some of the possible folders
on the server may be to store your database
Folders
above your Root Directory
|
Data
(this
is a "safe" place to store your database, but you or your
system administrator will need to create a DSN to connect to it)
|
Your
Root Web Folder (this folder may also
be called www.mydomain.com or www or htdocs
or wwwroot)
|
|__
default.htm (your normal default
page (home page) for your web site)
|
|__
other folders and files you have on your server etc. will be in
this "root" folder
|
|
|__
cgi-bin
(if you have one made by your system
administrator it usually has write permissions already set so your
database can be stored here)
|
|
|__
userpages2
(this is the
default userpages2 folder and where it would go))
|
|__ _mmDBScripts
|
|__
Connections
|
|__
css
|
|__
data
|
| |__
db.mdb (this is the original
location of the database in userpages2)
|
|
|
|__
images
|
|__
includes
|
|__ registration
|
|__
ScriptLibrary
|
|__
uploads
|
|
|__
userpics (folder)
|
|
| |__
*the made folders will be here*
|
|
|
|
|
|__ other
ASP files etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|__
user_pages
|
|__
editor_images (folder)
|
|
|
|__
other ASP files etc.
|
|
|
|