Transcript Database-driven Websites Sok King Tng INF 385E

Database-driven
Websites
Sok King Tng
INF 385E
26 Oct 2006
Outline
Definition of a database
Characteristics of a database-driven
website
Advantages
Examples
Relevance of IA
Do’s & Don’ts
Q&A
Definition
Database
A large, regularly updated file of digitized information (bibliographic
records, abstracts, full-text documents, directory entries, images,
statistics, etc.) related to a specific subject or field, consisting of
records of uniform format organized for ease and speed of search
and retrieval and managed with the aid of database management
system (DBMS) software.
Online Dictionary for Library & Information Science
Characteristics
Database-driven website
• uses a database to gather, display or
manipulate information
• linked to a database
• consists of dynamic web pages
Advantages
• more content but less maintenance
required
• complete separation between your site's
design and the content (in database) you
want to present
• information can be tailored to the
individual preferences of each user
Examples (1)
- show visitors your vast inventory by price,
category and pictures.
Examples (2)
- e-commerce websites that carry 10 or more
items.
Examples (3)
- store information
Examples (4)
- let customers use a search function to
quickly find a product or service.
Relevance of IA (1)
Metadata
Metadata is structured information that describes, explains,
locates, or otherwise makes it easier to retrieve, use, or manage
an information resource. Metadata is often called data about data
or information about information.
NISO
Relevance of IA (2)
Controlled vocabularies
Predetermined vocabularies of preferred terms that describe a specific
domain; typically include variant terms.
Rosenfeld & Morville
Do’s
• well-planned, well thought-out, and well
designed database
• reliable backup system for database
• proper error-handling
• include search-engine friendly entrances
to site
• test, test, test!!!
Don’ts
• underestimate work involved
• use inappropriate technologies
• forget Murphy’s Law
References
Expedite Media Group. (2004). Retrieved Oct 25, 2006, from
http://www.expeditemediagroup.com/htm/databases.htm
Mischook, S. (2006). Database driven websites: What are they and how they
are built? Retrieved Oct 25, 2006, from
http://www.killersites.com/articles/articles_databaseDrivenSites.ht
National Information Standards Organization. (2004). Understanding
metadata. Retrieved Oct 25, 2006, from
http://www.niso.org/standards/resources/UnderstandingMetadata.pdf
PlanetMagpie. (2006). Retrieved Oct 25, 2006, from
http://www.planetmagpie.com/w3services/database-websites.aspx
Reitz, J. M. (2006). Online dictionary for Library and Information Science.
Retrieved Oct 25, 2006, from http://lu.com/odlis/odlis_d.cfm
Rosenfeld, L. & Morville, P. (2002). Information Architecture for the World Wide
Web (2nd ed.). Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly and Associates, Inc.
Yank, K. (2004). Build your own database driven website using PHP & MySQL
– Third Edition. Retreieved Oct 25, 2006, from
http://www.sitepoint.com/article/php-mysql-tutorial
Yuill, V. (2002). The Dos and Don’ts of database-driven websites. Retrieved
Oct 25, 2006 from http://www.archetypeit.com/english/view.asp?AutoId=30&
? Questions ?