Explanation of data-driven web sites. Also refer to database, ColdFusion, Generation21, dynamic pages, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions

Database-Driven Web Sites

by Ron Kurtus (revised 21 January 2000)

Some Web sites allow users to be able to access the site, request specific information, and then have the pages dynamically updated to suit their needs. Such a capability is possible by using software that creates database-driven web sites.

Questions you may have include:

• What is a database-driven web site?
• What are some applications of it?
• What software provides such capabilities?

This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.

Database-driven web site

Most web sites consist of a set of individual web pages, connected to each other or to a table of contents page through the use of hyperlinks. Updating data must be done on the individual pages.

A different way of organizing and maintaining web sites is through the use of data bases of information. Such a database-driven web site would then access specific information from the database after the user has filled out a form or asked for specific information.

This is different than having static pages where that the user can access from an index or search. Instead, the page is dynamically created from information requested from the database.

This also has the advantage in that the owner of the data only needs to update the database and not worry about updating individual web pages.

Applications

Database-driven web sites have numerous applications and possibilities.

Information on products

A company doing e-commerce can have all their goods for sale in a data-base on their web server. When a customer accesses the web site and asks for information on a specific type of product, a web page will display the information desired.

This is how many search engines work, but the capabilities in this case are greater, because the information can be formatted in other ways that a simple list.

When new products are introduced or information on them changes, only the database needs to be updated.

Education courses

When a student accesses an online course, he or she may be able to selected the level or the type of information needed. Since the course material is in a database, only what is requested will be displayed.

Also, updating the education or training material can be done without having to worry about HTML coding issues. The information is simply put in the database.

Software

There are a number of software solutions to having data-driven web sites.

ColdFusion

ColdFusion is a popular program for companies involved in e-commerce or handling large databases of information, such as employee records or parts lists.

(See ColdFusion Development for more information.)

Generation21

Generation21 is a knowledge management system, specializing in online and distance education. Courses and lessons are modularized and put into a database for access according to the student's needs.

(See www.gen21.com for more information.)

In conclusion

Using special software to develop web sites that access databases in order to create dynamic web pages is being used in business and in schools.

Reader Feedback and Questions

Be aware of what is happening around you

Resources

The following resources provide information on this subject:

Websites

Web Page Design Resources

Books

Top-rated books on Website Design

Miscellaneous

Mini-quiz to check your understanding

1. What should you beware of when adding animation to a page?

2. Why would you demonstrate a concept using animation?

3. What purpose would a graphic designer have to include animation in his or her site?

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Web Design. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

What do you think?

Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

Feel free to establish a link from your website to pages in this site. Send this link to yourself or a friend.

Students and researchers

The Web address of this page is
www.school-for-champions.com/web/datadriven.htm. Please include it as a reference in your report, document, or thesis.

Also, tell a friend about this material.

Where can you go from here?

School for Champions

Web Design topics

Database-Driven Web Sites