How best to code a media monitoring system

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I'm new here so my question might seem a bit dumb to most and also, programming is not my strength.

I was just tasked with creating a media monitoring and reporting system at work. I am still an intern so I'm not too clued up on where to start. It is supposed to be very basic and data input should be manual. For example: if a TV program mentioned a certain keyword like the company name, the user of the system should be able to input the name of the TV show, channel, time/date and sentiment of the mention and save it (I'm already seeing that I'll need a DB for this). The system should have the ability to pull information from the database to form reports and graphs.

I would extremely appreciate some insight on this matter. Particularly about which technologies and/or programs are best to use to build such a system. For now everything should be manual so I don't need it be online. I was also told not to worry about expanding the system to online platforms. The focus is on other forms of media (TV, radio, magazines etc.).

Thank you in advance

What I have tried:

I was thinking of using SQL Server Express with Visual Studio Express for simplicity (since they both belong to MS) and I am also familiar with them. But I was also told about MySQL, XAMPP and MyPHPAdmin as easy alternatives but I know nothing about those programs. I did a bit of research on them but I would like to know what your preferences are and why.
As I mentioned, I am still new to all this and I am seeking direction about where to even start

Posted 8-Jun-18 1:45am

Sifeziwe Mpanza

Updated 8-Jun-18 2:19am

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CHill60 8-Jun-18 8:10am

"I am also familiar with them" ... wins it for me every time! Unless you are doing this for education or promotion then stick to what you are comfortable with would be my advice

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Jochen Arndt · Answer 1 · 2018-06-08T02:15:00

Solution 1

The first - and probably most painful - part is designing the database with respect to the required reports (stored procedures to be created).

This part can be done without deciding which SQL database engine and programming language will be used later.

While using the MS products will get it probably faster realised because you know them, an XAMPP solution can be simpler ported to a different platform like a Linux based one later.

Posted 8-Jun-18 2:15am

Jochen Arndt

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Sifeziwe Mpanza 11-Jun-18 2:53am

Ok thanks. Now I just have to re-study stored procedures, I remember having trouble understanding them in university.

So just to clarify, you're suggesting XAMPP as the simpler option?

Jochen Arndt 11-Jun-18 3:03am

You do not have to use stored procedure. They are used for performance reasons instead of normal queries that occur frequently. I was referring to the queries that have to be used for the required reports (directly or stored) and that you should have them in mind when designing the database.

XAMPP is not simpler. In your case the MS solution is probably simpler for you because you know it. But XAMPP is less platform specific. If there is any chance that the solution should be run on a Linux server in the future, XAMMP would be the better choice.

Sifeziwe Mpanza 11-Jun-18 10:28am

Thank you very much Jochen, you have really shed a bit of light here. Just one more thing: is it ok to use the Express versions of these MS programs or would I need the full versions? I saw on the MS website that there is an Express version of SQL Server with advanced capabilities. It looks like it has all I will need but I still want to be extra sure before I start downloading it

Jochen Arndt 11-Jun-18 10:35am

Just search the web for something like "mssql express limitations" and check if it it can be used according to your requirements (there is even a Wikipedia article naming the limitations).

Sifeziwe Mpanza 12-Jun-18 6:40am

Again, thank you very much for your insight

OriginalGriff · Answer 2 · 2018-06-08T02:21:00

Solution 2

To add to what Jochen says, if you are an intern and your supervisor is recommending MySql and PHP, then I'd suggest talking to him before making a decision: it may be that they are the "preferred languages" for the whole company so using something else may be unacceptable.

Posted 8-Jun-18 2:21am

OriginalGriff

Updated 8-Jun-18 2:22am

v2

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Sifeziwe Mpanza 11-Jun-18 2:50am

Oh no it wasn't recommended at work, I was just told by a friend who also does programming