I am curious to find out what app would be recommended to create sql databases. I have had a look at Access, and not that it has the ability to create an SQL based 'project', however after reading an earlier post, I am thinking this may not be the way to go.

 

I have a developer's edition of cold fusion (came with my Dreamweaver software), but I understand that Coldfusion is a different technology to SQL. Is this correct? and if it is, what would you suggest I use to create an SQL db?

 
Thanks in anticipation of your response

James

I want to create a membership database that interacts with our website, and allows members to register, update their own details, and for us to administer the database and run search querys.

 

I have very little experience in this area, and will basically be starting from the beginning with any app I use.

 

James

Thanks Kenny.

 

Any suggestions for creating a forum, such as this one?

A forum such as this one (which is SQL Server 2000 based) would be considerably better and more robust using SQL Server!  If you have the Premium edition of SBS then you already have SQL Server and you can start learning how to use it (a very worthwhile exercise in my opinion).  SQL Server 2005 is due out soon and it's capable of some really clever stuff - Microsoft are putting a heck of a lot effort and functionality into SQL Server 2005, it's going to be the most widely used database quite soon in my opinion.  If you take my previous posts into account (SQL Server can be expensive to host) then you would be much better looking at mySQL (free and very capable database) - primarily Linux based (although recent versions run quite well under Windows, but for cheaper hosting you'll probably be considering Linux and something like php for the website coding).  Do not use Access for a forum, it's really not equipped for that.

 

Hope that makes sense - I'd do it with SQL Server 2000 and ASP.NET (or ASP) for the coding side if you had a little bit of money, if you have even less money then use mySQL and php (there are loads of sites out there which will give you code snippets, basic training and tips on using these open source tools).  
 

Finally, if you're idea of a forum is very similar to most people's and you're not too keen to learn about SQL syntax and website coding (not just the HTML!) then you can download packaged forums, where you just customise a few bits and pieces and you're up and running - a quick search on Google will return dozens.  Most of them are completely free to download - just find a host that will enable the install (or find a host which offers a forum engine pre-installed, some do).