Revision 4
A web form is the electronic equivalent of a paper form. It allows users of your website to enter information. Web forms are part of a webpage and are written in HTML.
This is the scripting language that web pages and thus web forms are written in.
A form2mail script is the script to which the web form passes the information submitted by your users, once the user presses the submit button. A form2mail script sends the information via email to the email address given, or configured within, the script.
E2db can process emails generated by any Form2Mail script.
These are the languages that scripts (e.g. Form2Mail scripts) are written in. Popular scripting languages include PHP, ASP, and Perl. E2db can process emails generated by a script written in any of these languages.
These are the actual ‘objects’ in which users of your web form enter information. Types of Input fields include: Text Box, Password box, Check box, Radio button, Hidden field, Text window (Memo) and Menu (combo or list box).
Hidden fields are often used with Form2Mail scripts written in Perl to pass information hidden, static information such as email recipient and email subject. Other form2mail script may have the recipient and subject written in to the script.
A table in a database is a predefined format of rows and columns that define an entity.
The rows each represent a field and the columns each represent a record (or entry).
A Connection string is a line of text, which describes how to connect to a database. The information in a simple connection string includes what kind of database you are connecting to, which driver to use to interact with the database, where the database is located and what it is called, as well as username and password.
This describes the type of data a field must contain, examples are: text, number, decimal, auto-incremental. The data types available and names of the various data types differ between databases.
This an entry in a database table and is represented by one column. For one record each field must be filled out or left empty.
This means to save changes to a new or existing record. You post records to a database table.
Once you have purchased a full license you will receive upgrades for either one or two years depending on which price plan you choose. The upgrades will be emailed to you when they become available. The upgrades may include bug fixes, additional functionality, usability improvements, cosmetic enhancements or improved documentation. If you would like to suggest an improvement for e2db server please see the previous “Have your say about e2db” section.
If you are having problems with database related errors a good all round problem solver is to install the latest database and Windows updates. If you are using Microsoft Access or SQLServer download the latest version of MDAC (Microsoft Data Access Components) by visiting http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/ and searching for “MDAC”.
Also ensure you have the latest Windows updates and patches by visiting http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
| Problem or Error message |
Possible Cause(s) |
Possible Solution(s) |
| Can't find project.ini file |
E2db has not been installed correctly |
Re-install e2db OR Create a text file in notepad and save it in the e2db folder, naming it project.ini Then open e2db and click Settings in the Project Menu, then click OK. |
| Error processing email: No Fieldnames or Values found |
Your form2mail script is not functioning correctly or your web form profile settings are incorrect, or this is SPAM that has passed the SPAM filter. |
Review your web form profile settings. |
| Error opening <TableName> Table, in Database with connection string: |
The database connection string or table name settings may be wrong or someone else may have the database open exclusively |
Make sure no one else is using the database if the database can only have one user at once. Test the connection string is OK in Project>Settings |
| Error opening Tablename Table |
See above |
|
| Error appending record Table name Table |
See above |
|
| Fieldname could not be found in Tablename Table |
Sometimes there are extra fields generated by form2mail scripts like “submit” which can just be ignored, or your web form input names do not match your database field names. |
Check your web form inputs, match the database table fieldnames. |
| Data ype of Fieldname field is not supported. |
E2db cannot convert to the data type for this field. |
Use a different data type or remove input from web form. |
| Can''t write data to Fieldname field as it is of type Auto-incremental. |
Auto-incremental fields are updated by the database internally, so data/information can be written to them by e2db. |
Remove the corresponding input from your web form. |
| Error posting to Tablename Table |
This may be because the type of data submitted by your user is not compatible with the data type of one or more of fields in the table (e.g. the user submitted out of range data) |
See the “validating inputs” information in the Advanced e2db section |
| None of the fieldnames in the email match the fieldnames in Tablename Table |
The web form input names do not match the database table fieldnames. |
The names of the form''s inputs must be the same as the field names in the table.' |
| Failed to send email to: |
The SMTP account settings are incorrect or you are not connected to the internet, or you have a firewall blocking e2db from accessing the internet. |
|
| Could not run Applicationname after posting record(s) |
The application failed to run |
The application you are trying to run may be faulty or you may have set the path and filename for the application incorrectly. |
| Error opening log file. |
Bad installation of e2db |
Try re-installing e2db to restore the log folder. |
| Error creating new log file. |
See above |
See above |
| Can’t connect to POP3Host |
You may not be connected to the internet, you may have a firewall blocking e2db accessing the internet, or your POP3 account settings may be incorrect.' |
|
| Authentication Failed for SMTPUsername |
The SMTP username is incorrect |
Review the SMTP account settings. |
| Connection Failed for SMTPHost |
The SMTP host is incorrect |
See above. |
| Error opening Notepad.exe |
Notepad cannot be found. |
|
| ** Internal or Windows error. ** |
Unknown |
Re-start e2db. If problem persists re-install e2db. |
If your questions or problems are not answered in this help file please visit our help and support forum: http://www.e2db.interkonect.com/forum
To uninstall e2db server simply open control panel, choose add/remove programs. Find e2db server and click Remove.
By pressing the OK button to start e2db server you are agreeing the terms and conditions stated below.
You may use e2db server entirely free of charge for 1 month by requesting an evaluation license. After 1 month you must purchase a full license.
E2db server is created, owned and licensed exclusively by Interkonect Services UK Ltd. http:// www.interkonect.com . Reverse engineering or modifying this software is strictly prohibited.
You are free to distribute this software to other people provided they do not use your license.
If you wish to distribute e2db on your website, cover CD or other media please let us know: e2db@interkonect.com
The software can be downloaded from: http://e2db.interkonect.com
Evaluation licenses can be requested from: http://e2db.interkonect.com
Full licenses can be purchased from: http://e2db.interkonect.com
!! All licenses are for one copy of e2db server, and for use on one computer only !!
If you wish to use e2db server on multiple computers you must purchase one license per computer.
LIMITED WARRANTY:
THESE PROGRAMS AND ACCOMPANYING WRITTEN MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NEITHER THE AUTHOR NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION OR DELIVERY OF THIS PRODUCT SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH PRODUCT EVEN IF THE AUTHOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
E2db Server COPYRIGHT 2004 Interkonect Services UK Ltd. All rights reserved.
Examples of web form profiles
Example 1
----------------------------------------
FirstName: Kris
LastName: Leech
Email: kris@email.com
----------------------------------------
| Fieldname Start |
NEWLINE |
| Fieldname End |
: |
| Value Start |
SPACE |
| Value End |
NEWLINE |
| Record Start |
---------------------------------------- |
| Record End |
---------------------------------------- |
| Return |
Tick |
| Join Switch |
Untick |
[Firstname]="Kris"
[Lastname]="Leech"
[Email]="kris@email.com"
| Fieldname Start |
[ |
| Fieldname End |
] |
| Value Start |
“ |
| Value End |
“ |
| Record Start |
X |
| Record End |
X |
| Return |
Untick |
| Join Switch |
Untick |
FirstName: Kris LastName: Leech Email: kris@email.com
| Fieldname Start |
NEWLINE |
| Fieldname End |
: |
| Value Start |
SPACE |
| Value End |
NEWLINE |
| Record Start |
X |
| Record End |
X |
| Return |
Untick |
| Join Switch |
Tick |
| www.e2db.interkonect.com/forum |
E2db server help & support |
| www.perl.com |
Perl scripting language |
| www.php.net |
PHP scripting language |
| msdn.microsoft.com |
Microsoft knowledge base |
Input types and matching field data types
| Input type |
Expected data from web form user |
Data type (Access) |
Data type (SQL Server) |
| TEXT |
Characters |
Text |
VarChar, nVarChar |
| TEXT |
Number |
Number (integer, long) |
SmallInt, Int, BigInt, TinyInt |
| TEXT |
Decimal number |
Number (Float, Single, Double) |
Float, Real |
| TEXT |
Password |
Text |
VarChar, nVarChar |
| TEXT |
Date |
Date/Time |
DateTime |
| TEXT |
Time |
Date/Time |
DateTime |
| TEXT |
Hyperlink / URL |
Hyperlink |
VarChar, nVarChar |
| TEXT |
Phone number |
Text |
VarChar, nVarChar |
| TEXT |
Money value |
Currency |
Money / SmallMoney |
| SELECT (Menu/List) |
As TEXT input type |
||
| RADIO |
As TEXT input type |
||
| CHECKBOX |
Tick or Untick |
Yes/No |
Bit |
| FILE |
Characters |
Text |
VarChar, nVarChar |
| HIDDEN |
N/A |
Any data type |
Any data type |
| MEMO / TEXTAREA |
Lines of characters |
Memo |
Text, ntext |
If using a Check box input then the Value for checked must be set to “1”, for example:
<input name="subscribe" type="checkbox" value="1">
If you are setting a “Yes/No” or “bit” data type it is best to use a two grouped radio buttons so both yes and no values can be set to “1” and “0” respectively. For example:
<I>Do you want to subscribe? </I>
<INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME="subscribe" VALUE="1">Yes
<INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME="subscribe" VALUE="0">No
1 = True, Yes, Positive, Ticked, Checked
0 = False, No, Negative, Unticked, Unchecked
ADO Data types not supported by e2db
E2db Server cannot convert information submitted to a web form to any of these data types:
| ftUnknown, ftBlob, ftGraphic, , ftParadoxOle, ftDBaseOle, ftTypedBinary, ftCursor, ftADT, ftReference, ftDataSet, ftOraBlob, ftOraClob, ftInterface, ftIDispatch, |
Therefore no Binary, Graphic or BLOB field data types are supported. However it is very very unlikely that you would require your web form users to submit any binary information.
Part 1 Setting up e2db server ¦ Part 2 Further e2db server ¦ Part 3 Troubleshooting and Appendices
E2db Server COPYRIGHT 2004 Interkonect Services UK Ltd. All rights reserved.