What is the easiest way to create a simple, web-based, database application? Something like an asset management system.

I watched this 15 Ruby-on-Rails video, it looks promising. I know there are php/mysql application builders, I haven't tried any.

Any other opinions?

are you trying to implement one in a workplace or build one to sell/use?

There are plenty of CMS' using PHP and MYSQL with all sorts of modules to do different things.

I am not trying to implement a commercial package. Just something for a small group of users, maybe a single user. The sort of thing people often do with ms-access.


I realize there are a lot of CMS' using PHP and MYSQL with all sorts of modules to do different things. But there is no way those could have every specialized application covered.

To answer my own question:

There are a lot of PHP code generators that make it easy to deveope simple database "CRUD" applications. Here are a few I've tried:

AppGini & PHPMagic. ($35 - $70) Cheap and easy to use, but not very
functional. Okay if you are making flat-file, unsecure, CRUD. No
authentication. No real relational functionallity. No event triggers. Windows only.

PHPRunner. ($199). Some authentication, but only one level. Some
relational capabilities, not great. Event triggers. Fairly easy to use,
but if you want to relate two or more tables, you have to hand code
the sql, which sort of defeats the purpose. Windows only.

dbQwikSite ($140 - $200). Some advanced features. But, slow and diffecult to work with. In fact, I couldn't get it to work at all. Windows only.

dataface (free). Interesting new project. Huge potential. But, not
really completed yet. No real security/authentication yet. Relational capabilities but awkward to use. Has, or will have event triggers.
No authentication yet. Not easy to work with. Has a "Plone" look to it, which may not be what you want. Any platform.

CodeCharge. ($150 - $500). I have looked at it, have not used it. Obviousy more expensive than others, and a steeper learning curve, but more powerful also. Works with all kinds of databases. Relational, event triggers, has built-in calendaring feature, has built-in report creating, excellent security/authentication features. Works will sorts of databases. Generates code for several differnt languages: PHP, ASP, etc. Any platform.

Other than the code generators, there are also several application frameworks available. Rails seems to be what they are all aiming to be. These have a much steeper learning curve. But they are often F/OSS, and provide much more flexability. I am presently trying CodeIgniter.

All reviews JMHO.