Dreamweaver Site Definition & Management for Database Interaction

To use Dreamweaver for database interaction, you'll need to create a site definition that points to your account on the cis2.cuyamaca.net server.  Students on campus have to redo the site definition every session.  At home, you will only need to define the site one time.

Though most of this should be a review, you'll notice that you have to define a testing server, which you didn't do in CIS 212. This is required for the database integration we will do in the second half of the semester.

1.  Create a NEW local root folder (Windows)

• Use Windows to create your local root folder.  This folder will be for CIS 213 only, so name it something appropriate and memorable.   Students on campus, create a folder named database_root on the top level of your USB disk. It is important that you create ONE local root folder because Dreamweaver looks for special folders (templates, libraries, connections) in the root.  When you upload, Dreamweaver expects the same file structure in the local root and the server folder, so if you change the local root, you will have problems with broken links when you test on the server.
  

2. Define the site

• Select Site -> Manage Sites.
  
  
  
• If in room H-115, select CIS 213 and click Edit.  Otherwise, click New. 

• In Advanced View, enter the local settings.  Name the site whatever you wish and use the folder icon to navigate to your local root folder.

3. Set the FTP Preferences (Remote Info) - use YOUR login name and password

Set up your FTP access using the following:

FTP Host:  cis2.cuyamaca.net
Host Directory: leave blank
Login: your username (usually firstlast - same one you use for Blackboard)
Password:  Your PIN (usually 6-digit birthday - same on you use for Blackboard)

Click TEST after you enter the settings.  If you have problems, first try selecting the Use Passive FTP checkbox, and if that doesn't work, let me know right away.

4. Enter the Testing Server info

Pages with dynamic data (from database) must be tested on a server. The Testing Server information tells Dreamweaver where to preview ASP files.

After you define a testing server, the Preview in Browser (F12) command will display files on the SERVER instead of a local file - notice the URL when you hit F12.

• Click OK and Done, and you will then see the site panel.  Use the site panel to open, move, rename, and delete files. If you use Windows to manage files, you will break links.
  
  
• After you have opened a file and made changes, you need to save it and upload the changed file to the server.  Here is the process:
  1. open file
  2. make changes in document window
  3. save
  4. upload changed file to server
     

4. Upload files

• To upload a file, select it and click the Put button (Blue Up Arrow).
  
  
• You may also upload an open document by clicking the File Management button: