Getting Started Overview

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Getting Started with ASP.NET Auto DB
This section provides simple instructions for getting ASP.NET Auto DB working with your website or application quickly. Simply perform the 4 steps below and you will be creating database forms faster and easier than ever with absolutely no programming or scripting required!

The video instructions below are in Macromedia Flash format and can be viewed within your browser.

	Step 1: Install ASP.NET Auto DB You can install ASP.NET Auto DB on Windows 98, ME, XP, 2000, and 2003 with the .NET Framework installed. Simply Download ASP.NET Auto DB if you haven't already done so, then double click on the autodb.exe file to begin the installation. Follow the instructions on the screen. More Info >>> See Written Explanation If the installation program indicates that you must have the Microsoft .NET Framework to install, simply download and install the .NET Framework (23 MB) first.
	Step 2: Create your Form We recommend using the "Free" ASP.NET Web Matrix or Visual Studio .NET as these editors are made for creating ASP.NET forms. More Info >>> Quickly learn to create Auto DB forms by watching a video: Using the free ASP.NET Web Matrix editor -> 1. Add Auto DB to Web Matrix toolbox (< 2 min.) or Written explanation -> 2. Create your form with Web Matrix Short Version (< 4 min.) -> 3. Create your form with Web Matrix Long Version (< 13 min.) (this video includes more explanation and features including form validation and uploading files.) Using Visual Studio .NET -> 1. Add Auto DB to the Visual Studio .NET toolbox (written explanation) -> 2. See Create your form with Web Matrix (VS.NET is very similar) Using another editor (FrontPage, Dreamweaver, etc.) -> Layout your form with another editor, then finalize with Web Matrix -> Layout your form with another editor and finalize manually
	Step 3: Associate your form fields with your database ASP.NET Auto DB comes with a simple Form-to-Database Mapping Wizard. This wizard helps you to easily point the fields in your form to the fields in your database. Before you can begin this step, you must already have your database created. The mapping wizard creates a configuration file that will be written to the same directory as your form. Auto DB uses the configuration file to decide where to write your form data. Specific Video Tutorial for the Form-to-Database Mapping Wizard is coming soon. In the meantime, please see how it works towards the end of the "Create your Auto DB form and Publish it" video tutorial (see More Info below.) Please email us at support@360impact.com if you have any questions or difficulties, we will respond promptly. More Info >>> Create Your Form and Publish It (see last half for Wizard Part) Auto DB has been tested with Microsoft Access, SQL Server and MySQL databases but will work with other OLEDB.NET compatible databases.
If you would like professional assistance designing your website, talk to the experts at Fast Internet Success (a subsidiary of 360 IMPACT) today. Toll-Free: 1-800-517-8358 http://www.fastinternetsuccess.com p.s. Partnering arrangements welcome.	Step 4: Publish your Form The final step involves publishing your form to your website along with the Auto DB files. You will need to copy/upload By360Impact.AutoDB.dll, By360Impact.DBWrapper.dll, and your Auto DB license file from the Auto DB installation folder to your website´s Bin directory. If you will be writing to a MySql database, you also need to copy the MySql.Data.dll to your Bin folder. If your form automatically uploads files or writes to an Access database, you may also need to allow the ASPNET user account Read/Write/Modify/Delete permissions on these files/folders. Specific Video Tutorial for publishing your form is coming soon. In the meantime, please see instructions towards the end of the "Create your Auto DB form and Publish it" video tutorial (see More Info below.) Please email us if you have any questions or difficulties, we will respond promptly. More Info >>> Create Your Form and Publish It (see ending for Publishing Part) Tip: If you are using an Access database and hosting on a remote server, you may need to adjust the path (C:/...mydatabase.mdb) in your form .config file so it is correct for your server. Ask your administrator if you don't know the correct path or email us for assistance at support@360impact.com

If you have any difficulties at all, contact support@360impact.com for fast answers and assistance.

Important Tips for Using ASP.NET Auto DB

Auto DB only writes form data for fields that have their runat property set to "Server"
If you include file fields in your form, be sure to set runat="server" and include the encType="multipart/form-data" attribute in your form tag (see more information about uploading files)
If you have ASP.NET Validators on your form, Auto DB will only process the form once it is error free
See Feature Documentation for detailed information about ASP.NET Auto DB's key properties
If you have any difficulties or questions, we invite you to send an email to support@360impact.com for prompt assistance.