Expert: Srini Nagarajan - 4/26/2005

Question
Hi
I am writing a design proposal for a software that could be used for a charity organization.  The software keeps track of all the potential donors for the charity.  In addition, the software sets up daily workloads.  That is the overall function of the software in a nutshell.  However, I was recommended to use several technologies that may be included in my proposal in order to develop the software, listed below

Recommended Server platforms:

•  Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, and the corresponding versions of IIS.
•  Web Servers running the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
Recommended Database technology and platforms:
•  ADO.NET
•  Microsoft Access
• SQL Server 2000

Recommended Development Tools: •  Web Matrix
•  Visual Studio .NET

Recommended Client Application designs: •  PC application
•  WebForms application (ASP.NET)
•  Mobile device client (WAP or Mobile Explorer, emulators accepted)
•  WinForms application

Recommended platform for running UI Client(s): •  Windows XP (all versions)
•  Pocket PC 2003
•  Windows CE.NET

I know that I will be needing Windows XP (UI Client), Windows Server 2003 (Server Platform), visual studio.net,  SQL server 2000 in order to develop the software.  I only have a rough idea of the listed technologies and I was hoping that you could explain to me in more detail.  In addition, is there any other technologies that I will be needing?  What might their functions be serving in developing the software?  Where would be a good website to find their prices?  

Thank you  

Answer
Hi

I'll reply my answer in caps..
Recommended Server platforms:

• Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, and the corresponding versions of IIS - THIS COMMON FOR DEVELOPMENT AND WEB SERVER CONCERNS, IF YOU USE 2003, MAY BE FEW CHANGES ON CDONTS OBJECT FOR EMAIL, APART FROM THAT NO CHANGE REQUIRED.

• Web Servers running the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1  - ITS FREE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD FROM MICROSOFT SITE AND IF YOU CHOOSE TO HOST FROM ISP MAKESURE HE GOT .NET FRAMEWORK 1.1 BECAUSE MOST OF THE ISP SUPPORTS 1.0


Recommended Database technology and platforms:
• ADO.NET  - ITS PART OF .NET TO CONNECT DATABASE YOU HAVE TO ADO.NET ITS LIKE ADO IN CLASSIC ASP.  AND ITS COMING WITH .NET FRAMEWORK 1.1

• Microsoft Access  - IT COMES WITH OFFICE, YOU HAVE TO SEE WHICH DATABASE YOU ARE GOING TO USE ACCESS OR SQL SERVER.. IF YOU USE SQL THEN YOU DON'T NEED ACCESS..

• SQL Server 2000 - SQL SERVER STANDARD EDITION WILL DO FOR YOU TO DEVELOPT THIS APPLICATION. MOST OF THE ISP SUPPORTS SQL SERVER 2000 STANDARD EDITION.

Recommended Development Tools:
• Web Matrix - ITS FREE DEVELOPMENT TOOL, WHICH I WON'T RECOMMEND TO DEVELOP THE APPLICATION
• Visual Studio .NET - VS.NET 2003 IS THE CURRENT VERSION AND YOU CAN GET PROFFESIONAL EDITION.

Recommended Client Application designs: • PC application
• WebForms application (ASP.NET) - ITS A STANDARD WEB APPLICATION ASP.NET COMES WITH .NET FRAMEWORK

• Mobile device client (WAP or Mobile Explorer, emulators accepted)  - THIS IS FOR WAP TECH. YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE SERVER FROM MICROSOFT SITE ITS FREE.

• WinForms application - PART OF .NET THIS IS USED FOR CLIENT/SERVER APPLICATION

Recommended platform for running UI Client(s):
• Windows XP (all versions) - REGULAR BROWSER
• Pocket PC 2003  - ITS FOR WAP ENABLED
• Windows CE.NET  - ITS FOR WAP ENABLED

You have to clear on what the client wants? if you say webforms you can develop entire app using webform and mobile, you don't need winforms..

Do to check the price goto  the following URL

http://shopper.cnet.com/Software/2001-3513_9-0.html?tag=shfd.dir

Happy Programming!

-Srini