Hi Keith, you've asked a bunch of questions here, and to be honest, based on what you're asking and how, I would recommend you source a developer to take on the effort for you. But, here are my thoughts.

Keep it server side, throw a web server on the machine with the database (or ideally, on a server sitting next to the database machine), behind a firewall. Password protect the web application so your mysql is hidden and secure within your own network. Choice of language at this point is entirely up to you, php, java, etc.

If you must have client/server, sounds like Java is your best bet, there are many Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) you can choose from, netbeans comes with some java distributions so might be your easiest bet. If you go this route with a remote application talking to your database, I further recommend that you have a server side component which manages the database and communication back and forth to the client application. This is mainly for security purposes, but will also ensure that the client application doesn't do anything the server doesn't know about.

If you insist on having mysql ports open to the internet, set up ACLs so you can restrict connections based on IP or other method.

-Simon

On 11/8/2010 7:00 AM, keith smith wrote:
"Main PLUG discussion list" <plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us>

Hi,

I would like to write an application that would more than likely run on Windows and interface with MySql.  This would be an app that would interface with a database allowing the user to add / edit / delete data.

The need is very simple.  I was looking at Flex and find that I would probably need to use their Flex Builder which is $700.  That is not feasible at this point.  Trying to develop an app without it might be more of a pain than what it is worth.

I could always use Java, which comes with it's difficulties also.

My need is very simple.  I need to create a simple menu, some forms, and the ability to interact with MySql to manage data remotely - IE port 3306.  I would like to use an open source language, compiled to hide my work would be nice, Visual development environment would be good also.  At a very minimum, I would like it to run on Windows.  Mac and Linux would be a plus.  Security is an issue also.  Must be able to securely attach to port 3306 w/o someone being able to sniff out the user name and password. I know this is not a language issue, it is a configuration issue.  I wonder if there is something like SFTP/SSH for MySql.

As I was writing this I think Java might be the solution.  Write once run everywhere. Java is open source and free. 

Is there a visual development environment for Java that is free, easy to learn and robust?

Is there another language or languages I should consider?

Thanks for your insight!    




------------------------
Keith Smith		 


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