CEP Panel Dev - connecting to MS SQL

[rolandw6993648]

Hi all;

My CEP panel needs to poll a MS SQL Table to look for an ‘order’ for a video to be created and rendered.

I have no problem connecting to MS SQL in a standalone Javascript under Node, but can’t figure out how to do this in the main.js of my CEP Panel.

Thanks for your help!

[Rick Gerard]

I think you are on the wrong forum. Sounds like a Dreamweaver or Cold Fusion question.

[rolandw6993648]

Thanks Rick; this relates to developing Extensions (CEP panels) inside After Effects using Javascript and Extendscript. It's not a web-page thing .. other than Adobe chose to use HTML/CSS for the presntation of the panels. 

[Rick Gerard]

Good to know. I'm just getting started with scripting for AE. Did a bunch a very long time ago. I've got more than 200 custom presets that I am integrating into scripts/plug-ins. It's been quite a journey. It's something to keep me busy while most of my production work is shut down. 600 people can work shoulder to shoulder to build a new condo and shopping center a mile from my house but I can't get a crew of 10 together to shoot some video. 

[shachar carmi · Accepted solution]

i gather the ms sql table is on a remote server, right?

if i remember correctly, you have to have some accesss point set up on that server, like an asp page that would accept a REST call and return a result of the query.

in that case, isn't it a simple manned of sending a REST call from the main.js file in javascript?

[rolandw6993648 · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your repsonse Shachar;

Interesting concept. 

I have since found an article on building a Node JS in a panel; perhaps that will provide me with direct access. If not, that REST workaround may be the trick.

Again, thanks.

[rolandw6993648]

I meant to write " ....building a Node JS SERVER in a panel;"

[rolandw6993648 · Accepted solution]

Hi Sachar;

just an update; I tried for a week to get SQL access from the Javascript in the CEP - no luck.

So, I am instead going ahead with your suggestion: I've created and API and am calling that from the .JS in the CEP. Thank's for the tip.

[Greg5F9B]

Hi, I'm quite new to extensions and haven't done any using node yet but I remember reading that you need to enable it in your manifest. 

<Parameter>--enable-nodejs</Parameter>

 And you need to be on CEP 6.1 or higher.

This link has more infor https://github.com/Adobe-CEP/CEP-Resources/blob/master/CEP_8.x/Documentation/CEP%208.0%20HTML%20Exte... search "--enable-nodejs"

Hope this is what you are looking for.

[rolandw6993648]

Thanks for taking the time to respond Greg5f9B ;

Here's the link to the article I mentioned earlier and am using to get this running: https://medium.com/adobetech/how-to-build-a-node-js-server-in-a-panel-ba1d63ea67e2;   It has a link to the same Github page as you're suggesting!  

I hope to get the time and get this part working soon. I'm nearing completion of this massive 1-man undertaking. 5 Modules working independently but connected via a database, The modules are working fine but the integration via DB is taking time. I quit programming and development many years ago ...  some things have changed 😉 but I'm having a real blast.