Database update causes web page refresh

[ccampbell]

I am curious to get started on a project that I think is possible. I have quite a bit of background in VC++ but have very little other language with any othe language. Here is my proposed project, and I think that it is possible. I have a SQL server on the back end, and I want to create a web page. I want to be able to have my web page automatically refresh when my database updates. In other words, I want to be able to push a refresh to the web page from my SQL server. I don't want the web page to check every so often for an update, I want it to automatically refresh when the SQL server is updated. Does anyone know how to go about doing this. If I have to learn another language (JAVA, VB, etc) to do this, I am not opposed to doing that, but I would prefer VC++. If anyone has any ideas on how to get started, or similar code, etc. I would be very interrested. THanks.

 

[wushutwist]

First, let's get a few points straight. In web development you cannot PUSH updates to users. All a web server is sit around waiting for someone to REQUEST information. It can't jump out and grab a hold of a client to update information, this is the big difference between Web Development and Client/Server.

Second, it is possible and easy to populate a Web Page with information supplied by a database. This is the basis for Web Development and their are numerous technologies for this. Examples are J2EE, ASP/COM+, and PHP. Personally I am a J2EE Developer so I consider that the best choice. Again it is important to note that changes can't be pushed out. If the data changes then that will be reflected in the web page the next time it is requested.

Third, after saying one and two I have to say that they are not 100% accurate. You could push changes but you would need a constant connection between the Client and the Server using something like Java Applets. I do not recommend this approach though. Wushutwist

 

[ccampbell]

How do the stock market sites and espn do it then? they have got to be using the same sort of technology?

 

[wushutwist]

See my third point. Wushutwist

 

[ccampbell]

Thanks. I guess that it is possible just a big pain. I appreciate your reply.

 

[pflangan]

there is a way to do it with xml data islands. check out some of the xml examples in msdn.microsoft.com

 

[ccampbell]

Can you give me some more information on that? Have you actually done it with XML? THanks.