confused about SQL data types

[hswihart]

I need some direction. I am creating ASP pages that connect to databases and get data out of them and present them to visitors to my web site. My confusion is with the SQL part. I wanted to get a book on SQL that I will use to write the SQL that is in my ASP pages. I went to the bookstore and ran into a web developer who said not to get a book on SQL but on MySQL because MySQL is what is in ASP pages and SQL isn't it exactly. He said if I used the SQL book the code from it wouldn't be exactly right for ASP usage. I am confused because in my ASP book they always say "SQL" not "MySQL" and I am wondering if this guy steered me wrong. So anyway, I am looking at my MySQL book now, and it talks about column types and data types. What I need to do is figure out what type of data to make my column in my database and then make it match the data type of the SQL select statement in my ASP page. Well, my Access database gives me datatype choices like "Text" and "Number" whereas this MySQL book is only talking about CHAR and VARCHAR *column* types. Can anyone tell me what's going on? Do I have the wrong book?

[voicebox]

Hey hswihart,

I'd suggest you go back to that bookstore and give that "web developer" a good slap because he obviously doesn't know what he's talking about. I'm afraid you've got the wrong book. MySQL is usually used in PHP not ASP (although with a bit of work you could probably make one work in the other). I'd look for one about "Microsoft SQL Server" or one that mentions ASP on the cover.