Newbie: Attempting to use WSS with relational database functionality
- From: "JJordan" <NOSPAM@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2005 09:11:11 -0700
Just started with WSS two weeks ago as this is the only tool available at my
job for now. I have to build a corporate training website that allows
employees to view courses, register for courses, and managers to view
employees course history as well as submit requests for new courses.
IT and WSS admin staff have locked it down as tight as a submarine:
* no development access
* no template changes (have set up a very ugly template that everyone in the
company has to use)
* no CSS overrides
* no Acess Database uploads
* no access to SQL Server other than through WSS team site interface
* no dll, exe, mdb, dwt, etc... can be installed by anyone else
They have installed just the bare minimum of Web Parts (Lists, Issues,
Announcements, Doc Library, Events, etc...)
None of the other job/role specific web parts available as options on
install have been added. When I inquired about adding them I was told they
would need to run a reset on the server to install the components I asked
about and were not willing to do this.
I feel like a web developer with one hand tied behind their back. I am use
to having full access to be able to develop (hand code) connections between
HTML or PHP pages and SQL databases. However, I am determined to make this
tool work as I have to believe WSS has more functionality than I have
discovered to date.
I did however get IT to agree to assigning me my own site collection instead
of a sub-site under another group. (which at least means I can port it over
to an independent server running WSS or even SPS if our team ever gets one).
Now that you understand the background and limits I am working in, here is
my question:
With the limited functionality I have (using basic web parts within WSS) I
need to be able to use web part connections to simulate dynamic relational
database functionality. For example, I need to allow people accessing the
site to fill out a new list. Some of the information from this list needs
to be passed to a form on the next page (or the same page) as part of the
next form to be filled out. For example, if a employee was registering for
a course, they might enter their 'student' information into the first list,
then move to the next page to select and register for the course and
specific session they want to attend.
I currently have four lists which I am trying to utilize for this. I am
attempting to normalize the data as much as possible which is why I have
broken the data into several lists.
Course List (list of courses)
Course Session List (each course has a session, session number is unique)
Student List (email, first name, last name, etc)
Student Session List (student email, session number)
So far my experience is that web connections work as filters (like the Form
Web Part) or as Master/Child like employee info/employee details. This is
fine if all the data is already in the list, but my issue is the need for
dynamic data while filling in the list.
For another example: During registration for a course, I would like to have
a list with a drop down that allows students to select from a list of
courses (I am using a look-up field for this), and based on the course
students select, the next drop-down list is constrained to only show course
sessions related to the specific course.
I am hoping there is a way to use web connections to accomplish to force
relationships between lists in some way. I do have Front Page 2003, but
again, do not have access to doing more than small changes because of upload
restrictions on the server.
Any guidance?
JJordan
.
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