asp communicate to a db without an html form?

Hello. I just had a quick question and was wondering if it's possible for
an asp page with some html input fields and other html controls be able to
insert data into a db without having an html form coded into it? Someone
gave me a bunch of asp files with input fields and controls but seems like
no html forms were coded and am wondering if there's an asp-db method that
I'm unaware of.

Thanks in advance.

J

Re: asp communicate to a db without an html form?

"J" wrote in message
news:ekQGO0QNHHA.2324@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Hello. I just had a quick question and was wondering if it's possible for
> an asp page with some html input fields and other html controls be able to
> insert data into a db without having an html form coded into it? Someone
> gave me a bunch of asp files with input fields and controls but seems like
> no html forms were coded and am wondering if there's an asp-db method that
> I'm unaware of.
>

If the page is intended to obtain data from user-supplied inputs, then a
valid html form with the correct action, method and some way of submitting
it would be needed.

ASP can't access this kind of data any other way. It has no idea what the
user is entering on the clientside until the form is submitted.

--
Mike Brind

Re: asp communicate to a db without an html form?

J wrote:
> Hello. I just had a quick question and was wondering if it's
> possible for an asp page with some html input fields and other html
> controls be able to insert data into a db without having an html form
> coded into it? Someone gave me a bunch of asp files with input
> fields and controls but seems like no html forms were coded and am
> wondering if there's an asp-db method that I'm unaware of.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
Perhaps it was using Ajax (XMLHTTP) to submit data to a server-side
page.

--
Microsoft MVP -- ASP/ASP.NET
Please reply to the newsgroup. The email account listed in my From
header is my spam trap, so I don't check it very often. You will get a
quicker response by posting to the newsgroup.

Re: asp communicate to a db without an html form?

"Bob Barrows [MVP]" wrote in message
news:uC831JYNHHA.4848@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>J wrote:
>> Hello. I just had a quick question and was wondering if it's
>> possible for an asp page with some html input fields and other html
>> controls be able to insert data into a db without having an html form
>> coded into it? Someone gave me a bunch of asp files with input
>> fields and controls but seems like no html forms were coded and am
>> wondering if there's an asp-db method that I'm unaware of.
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
> Perhaps it was using Ajax (XMLHTTP) to submit data to a server-side
> page.
>

That thought makes me shudder....

Re: asp communicate to a db without an html form?

"Mike Brind" wrote in message
news:OEHiX$YNHHA.1008@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> "Bob Barrows [MVP]" wrote in message
> news:uC831JYNHHA.4848@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> >J wrote:
> >> Hello. I just had a quick question and was wondering if it's
> >> possible for an asp page with some html input fields and other html
> >> controls be able to insert data into a db without having an html form
> >> coded into it? Someone gave me a bunch of asp files with input
> >> fields and controls but seems like no html forms were coded and am
> >> wondering if there's an asp-db method that I'm unaware of.
> >>
> >> Thanks in advance.
> >>
> > Perhaps it was using Ajax (XMLHTTP) to submit data to a server-side
> > page.
> >
>
> That thought makes me shudder....
>

Why?

Re: asp communicate to a db without an html form?

Mike Brind wrote:
> "Bob Barrows [MVP]" wrote in message
> news:uC831JYNHHA.4848@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> J wrote:
>>> Hello. I just had a quick question and was wondering if it's
>>> possible for an asp page with some html input fields and other html
>>> controls be able to insert data into a db without having an html
>>> form coded into it? Someone gave me a bunch of asp files with input
>>> fields and controls but seems like no html forms were coded and am
>>> wondering if there's an asp-db method that I'm unaware of.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance.
>>>
>> Perhaps it was using Ajax (XMLHTTP) to submit data to a server-side
>> page.
>>
>
> That thought makes me shudder....

Really? Why?

--
Microsoft MVP -- ASP/ASP.NET
Please reply to the newsgroup. The email account listed in my From
header is my spam trap, so I don't check it very often. You will get a
quicker response by posting to the newsgroup.

Re: asp communicate to a db without an html form?

"Bob Barrows [MVP]" wrote in message
news:Okyg8EZNHHA.3596@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Mike Brind wrote:
>> "Bob Barrows [MVP]" wrote in message
>> news:uC831JYNHHA.4848@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>> J wrote:
>>>> Hello. I just had a quick question and was wondering if it's
>>>> possible for an asp page with some html input fields and other html
>>>> controls be able to insert data into a db without having an html
>>>> form coded into it? Someone gave me a bunch of asp files with input
>>>> fields and controls but seems like no html forms were coded and am
>>>> wondering if there's an asp-db method that I'm unaware of.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance.
>>>>
>>> Perhaps it was using Ajax (XMLHTTP) to submit data to a server-side
>>> page.
>>>
>>
>> That thought makes me shudder....
>
> Really? Why?
>

[To both you and Anthony]

Purely from a usability point of view.

Hypothetically speaking, if Ajax is used as the submission agent in the
above scenario (and there's no compelling evidence that it is), I kind of
get the impression that the page would look like a form to a user (in that
it has inputs for user-supplied data), but not behave in the conventional
way - in that there is no way to for the user to submit it. If that were
the case then I can think of a considerable number of acquaintances (and
work colleagues) who could be thoroughly thrown by that approach.

I have no problem with the Ajax approach in itself generally. I use it a
fair bit, but I'm also very conscious of trying to present a UI that people
are comfortable and familiar with.

Perhaps I'm not "leading edge" enough.... :-/

Re: asp communicate to a db without an html form?

Sounds interesting. I haven't worked with Ajax yet but kinda curious about
it.

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.

Take cares.

J


"Bob Barrows [MVP]" wrote in message
news:Okyg8EZNHHA.3596@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Mike Brind wrote:
>> "Bob Barrows [MVP]" wrote in message
>> news:uC831JYNHHA.4848@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>> J wrote:
>>>> Hello. I just had a quick question and was wondering if it's
>>>> possible for an asp page with some html input fields and other html
>>>> controls be able to insert data into a db without having an html
>>>> form coded into it? Someone gave me a bunch of asp files with input
>>>> fields and controls but seems like no html forms were coded and am
>>>> wondering if there's an asp-db method that I'm unaware of.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance.
>>>>
>>> Perhaps it was using Ajax (XMLHTTP) to submit data to a server-side
>>> page.
>>>
>>
>> That thought makes me shudder....
>
> Really? Why?
>
> --
> Microsoft MVP -- ASP/ASP.NET
> Please reply to the newsgroup. The email account listed in my From
> header is my spam trap, so I don't check it very often. You will get a
> quicker response by posting to the newsgroup.
>
>

Re: asp communicate to a db without an html form?

"Mike Brind" wrote in message
news:eDGOkTaNHHA.3872@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> "Bob Barrows [MVP]" wrote in message
> news:Okyg8EZNHHA.3596@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> > Mike Brind wrote:
> >> "Bob Barrows [MVP]" wrote in message
> >> news:uC831JYNHHA.4848@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> >>> J wrote:
> >>>> Hello. I just had a quick question and was wondering if it's
> >>>> possible for an asp page with some html input fields and other html
> >>>> controls be able to insert data into a db without having an html
> >>>> form coded into it? Someone gave me a bunch of asp files with input
> >>>> fields and controls but seems like no html forms were coded and am
> >>>> wondering if there's an asp-db method that I'm unaware of.
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanks in advance.
> >>>>
> >>> Perhaps it was using Ajax (XMLHTTP) to submit data to a server-side
> >>> page.
> >>>
> >>
> >> That thought makes me shudder....
> >
> > Really? Why?
> >
>
> [To both you and Anthony]
>
> Purely from a usability point of view.
>
> Hypothetically speaking, if Ajax is used as the submission agent in the
> above scenario (and there's no compelling evidence that it is), I kind of
> get the impression that the page would look like a form to a user (in that
> it has inputs for user-supplied data), but not behave in the conventional
> way - in that there is no way to for the user to submit it.

I see. I didn't draw that inference myself.

> If that were
> the case then I can think of a considerable number of acquaintances (and
> work colleagues) who could be thoroughly thrown by that approach.

Yes the context is very important. I've got users who are thrown by the
idea that the dumb machine can't remember what was in the fields the last
time they visited form unless it's told specifically to remember them. It's
all about what they're used to.

>
> I have no problem with the Ajax approach in itself generally. I use it a
> fair bit, but I'm also very conscious of trying to present a UI that
people
> are comfortable and familiar with.
>

I don't see Ajax (I actually loathe that term) and the UI being all that
connected. In fact the traditional HTML Form quite tightly couples
appearance and behaviour with the data transport. Whereas sending XML
messages around is more flexible in that what you do with UI does not have
to cater to the needs of data transport.

> Perhaps I'm not "leading edge" enough.... :-/
>

Depends on where your market is at.

Re: asp communicate to a db without an html form?

"Anthony Jones" wrote in message
news:uEA9FtaNHHA.3668@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>
> "Mike Brind" wrote in message
> news:eDGOkTaNHHA.3872@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>
>> "Bob Barrows [MVP]" wrote in message
>> news:Okyg8EZNHHA.3596@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> > Mike Brind wrote:
>> >> "Bob Barrows [MVP]" wrote in message
>> >> news:uC831JYNHHA.4848@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> >>> J wrote:
>> >>>> Hello. I just had a quick question and was wondering if it's
>> >>>> possible for an asp page with some html input fields and other html
>> >>>> controls be able to insert data into a db without having an html
>> >>>> form coded into it? Someone gave me a bunch of asp files with input
>> >>>> fields and controls but seems like no html forms were coded and am
>> >>>> wondering if there's an asp-db method that I'm unaware of.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Thanks in advance.
>> >>>>
>> >>> Perhaps it was using Ajax (XMLHTTP) to submit data to a server-side
>> >>> page.
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >> That thought makes me shudder....
>> >
>> > Really? Why?
>> >
>>
>> [To both you and Anthony]
>>
>> Purely from a usability point of view.
>>
>> Hypothetically speaking, if Ajax is used as the submission agent in the
>> above scenario (and there's no compelling evidence that it is), I kind
>> of
>> get the impression that the page would look like a form to a user (in
>> that
>> it has inputs for user-supplied data), but not behave in the conventional
>> way - in that there is no way to for the user to submit it.
>
> I see. I didn't draw that inference myself.
>
>> If that were
>> the case then I can think of a considerable number of acquaintances (and
>> work colleagues) who could be thoroughly thrown by that approach.
>
> Yes the context is very important. I've got users who are thrown by the
> idea that the dumb machine can't remember what was in the fields the last
> time they visited form unless it's told specifically to remember them.
> It's
> all about what they're used to.
>
>>
>> I have no problem with the Ajax approach in itself generally. I use it a
>> fair bit, but I'm also very conscious of trying to present a UI that
> people
>> are comfortable and familiar with.
>>
>
> I don't see Ajax (I actually loathe that term) and the UI being all that
> connected. In fact the traditional HTML Form quite tightly couples
> appearance and behaviour with the data transport. Whereas sending XML
> messages around is more flexible in that what you do with UI does not have
> to cater to the needs of data transport.
>
>> Perhaps I'm not "leading edge" enough.... :-/
>>
>
> Depends on where your market is at.

Many and varied. None of it can in any way be assumed to be computer
literate.

Re: asp communicate to a db without an html form?

"Anthony Jones" wrote in message
news:uEA9FtaNHHA.3668@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> I don't see Ajax (I actually loathe that term)

Ditto, so, call it what it was originally called, remote scripting. Ajax is
a foaming cleanser.

--

Roland Hall

Re: asp communicate to a db without an html form?

Roland Hall wrote:
> "Anthony Jones" wrote in message
> news:uEA9FtaNHHA.3668@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>
>> I don't see Ajax (I actually loathe that term)
>
> Ditto, so, call it what it was originally called, remote scripting.


Well, remote scripting was quite different. I used it in one of my first
apps. After that horrible experience ... never again.

XMLHttp, on the other hand ... I've got a few apps humming along quite
nicely using that.

--
Microsoft MVP - ASP/ASP.NET
Please reply to the newsgroup. This email account is my spam trap so I
don't check it very often. If you must reply off-line, then remove the
"NO SPAM"

Re: asp communicate to a db without an html form?

"Roland Hall" wrote in message
news:uB7VRSeNHHA.5012@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> "Anthony Jones" wrote in message
> news:uEA9FtaNHHA.3668@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>
>> I don't see Ajax (I actually loathe that term)
>
> Ditto, so, call it what it was originally called, remote scripting. Ajax
> is a foaming cleanser.
>

No it's not. It's a Dutch footy club.

Re: asp communicate to a db without an html form?

"Bob Barrows [MVP]" wrote in message
news:eQUb5WeNHHA.4244@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Roland Hall wrote:
>> "Anthony Jones" wrote in message
>> news:uEA9FtaNHHA.3668@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>
>>> I don't see Ajax (I actually loathe that term)
>>
>> Ditto, so, call it what it was originally called, remote scripting.
>
>
> Well, remote scripting was quite different. I used it in one of my first
> apps. After that horrible experience ... never again.

Peter Bromberg is my favorite author on the subject:
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/articles/20050514.asp

> XMLHttp, on the other hand ... I've got a few apps humming along quite
> nicely using that.

I like the ability to update the page with server-side script without having
to save everything, post, validate and reset.

--

Roland Hall