Once a connection has been opened, SQL statements can be constructed and sent to the database, with the results coming back in much the same way as JDBC processes them.

But if all that seems a bit too complicated to begin with, or your knowledge of SQL and databases is a bit rusty, have no fear. In true Visual Café fashion, a lot can be achieved before we even get to editing source code. The remainder of this article will look at setting up the database connection and making the first version of the Informer, which will give basic database functionality to the user; adding new records and modifying existing records and basic navigation.

Step #1: Database Selection
The first item on the agenda is to create the database table that will be used to store all the contact information. In my previous column, I hinted at using an MS Excel spreadsheet to store the information. Although this is perfectly legal, using an ODBC bridge, I felt that Informer could quickly outgrow the spreadsheet so I opted for the next level up and used MS Access as the basis for the contact database. Creating a new Access database file was a simple matter of defining the fields and saving the database in a file somewhere on the server. We have two main ways we can access this database: using dbAnywhere driver or using ODBC. Since setting up the ODBC is just as easy, I decided to do this, since it means we can change the Access database to an Oracle database without re-deploying the Java applet.

Setting the ODBC driver up is a simple matter of adding a new database table using the 32bit ODBC' utility, situated in the Control Panel, and giving it a logical name. in this instance, I used "Contacts". Once completed, believe it or not, the hardest part is over. Before you start to build the applet, ensure that the dbAnywhere server is up and running. Now we are ready to code.

Step #2: Project Creation
One of the easiest ways to create a dbAnywhere project is to use the Project Wizard. We create a new "dbAnywhere Project" and follow the seven steps to database enlightenment. 1. Project Type: Here we specify whether it's an applet or an application. In this case, we are developing an applet.
2. dbAnywhere Server: This is where we give details about the dbAnywhere server we will be connecting to and port it is listening on. The default address is localhost', which needs to be changed to the host name of the Web server; otherwise, a security violation will be thrown when the applet attempts the connection.
3. Data Source: This is where we choose the database source. This will display all the sources that the dbAnywhere server can see. If all went well in the Control Panel you should see a source named "Contacts". If not, check the ODBC driver.
4. Database Table: The actual database table the applet will be initially connecting to should be chosen and, in this instance, only one option should be available to us.
5. Database Columns: After selecting the database table, the columns of data associated with this table will be displayed. This allows you to select which columns of data you will be using and, in this instance, leave all of them selected.
6. Component and Labels: This section allows us to change the names of the labels. Once again, we shall leave them for the moment. In addition to the label names, the field type can be modified. For this, we will change the field type from TextArea to TextField.
7. Database Operations: Finally, the type of database operations we will support can be chosen. For this example, we will use only a subset of them which will include next, prev, add and save.

Once these steps have been completed, the wizard will create the first version of the applet, which at this stage doesn't look at all pretty. So, we shall change the attributes of the fields and end up with something that looks like the applet shown in Figure 2.

Configuring the attributes was a simple matter of clicking on the field and changing the various parameters in the Properties window. Then, by running the applet the source compiled and a connection to the dbAnywhere server was made. It was good to see this all happened without even a hint of an error - which to the first time developer is never a bad thing.

That's it! The first version of Informer is complete. We have full database functionality and an applet that is ready for widespread deployment. As I said in previous articles, remember to copy the Symantec classes into the directory where the applet will be downloaded from; otherwise, the browser won't be able to find all the dbAnywhere classes.

Summary
In this column we took the first steps to building a true database solution, using Java at the client side. Using Visual CafŽ and dbAnywhere, we developed a sophisticated application without having to code a single line of Java ourselves. Unfortunately, from now on we will have to get our hands dirty, Java'ly speaking. In the next column, I will take Informer to the next level of functionality by adding a search facility and a more advanced viewing form.