Question

I got a sql database host by a server and I need both access to the data and write some data. My question is what is the best way to do this ? I would be ready to drop the sql if you guys think there is a better way (even if I though it’s the best way, knowing that a lot of user could have access to the data at the same time).

Well, I need some advices.

Cheers

Answer 1

I suggest you to create API (application programming interface) on you server to interact with your data. The simplest will be the one which works over http.
This way you could also manage access for each user.

For example:
Server with php and cfpropertylist library installed.

if ($_GET['action'] == 'lists') {
    // connect to database and fetch data
    // transform it to properly list using cfpropertylist library and print it
}

On iPhone install ASIHTTPRequest library.
It will simplify the process of making requests to server.

NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:@"http://server?action=lists"];
__block ASIHTTPRequest *request = [ASIHTTPRequest requestWithURL:url];
[request setCompletionBlock:^{
    NSData *responseData = [request responseData];
    id structure = [NSPropertyListSerialization propertyListFromData:responseData
                                                    mutabilityOption:NSPropertyListImmutable 
                                                              format:NULL 
                                                    errorDescription:nil];
}];
[request setFailedBlock:^{
   NSError *error = [request error];
}];
[request startAsynchronous];