Why use a database? They can make the tedious, time consuming task of updating information on a web site easier and faster for you. Database technologies allow the graphics and layout of the web site design to be separated from the web site content. Separating the web site content from the web site design allows web site owners to add or edit data once within the database, and have it instantly propagated to any or all web site pages for which it is required. Using database technologies allows web site pages to become dynamic or fluid. Data can be added directly to a database or through the use of a web site content management system (cms).
Web Defined offers powerful, high impact web site designs, custom graphic designs and logos, search engine optimization (SEO), internet marketing, ecommerce web sites, flash web sites and applications, and web 2.0 ajax web applications.
At Web Defined, we pride ourselves in creating custom web site content management systems for all of our client's web site designs. By allowing our clients to dynamically add, edit, or delete web site content, and even full web pages from their web sites, we free them from the burden of either learning to hardcode web pages on their own or hiring a webmaster for every change they'd like to implement -- saving them money and time. What's more, our web site content management systems reside on the internet rather than downloading the software to a particular machine. This allows our clients to make changes to the web site design at home, at the office, or wherever they have access to the internet.
In order to implement a database for use within your web site design, the hosting package that you use must contain the ability to connect and utilize the host's database servers. This may require that you upgrade your hosting package, or in some cases, you may need to move your site to a different hosting company that offers database technologies. The costs associated with upgrading to a database ready hosting package is usually minimal, a few dollars more than the basic package.
In addition, you will have to chose which type of server you wish to use, a UNIX server or a Windows server. The choice determines which programming language will be used to manipulate data within the database.
MySQL is an open source database management application that was created specifically for the internet. MySQL is most commonly used for web applications and for embedded applications and has become a popular alternative to proprietary database systems because of its speed and reliability. MySQL can run on UNIX, Windows and Mac OS. MySQL is developed, supported and marketed by MySQL AB. The database is available for free under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) or for a fee to those who do not wish to be bound by the terms of the GPL.
PHP is an open source programming language that was developed specifically to work with MySQL, and in fact, they are often referred to as the dynamic duo. They are slim, fast, and versatile -- the perfect ingredients for web applications.
Although MySQL and PHP can be used on both UNIX and Windows servers, UNIX is preferred because it requires less overhead, and thus processes requests faster then Windows. Also, hosting companies usually charge additional fees to use Windows servers.
Active Server Pages, or ASP, is similar to PHP in that it is used for creating dynamically generated web pages through use of database technologies. Web pages created using ASP have an .ASP extension that utilizes ActiveX scripting -- usually VB Script or Jscript code. ASP was created by Microsoft, and as such, Microsoft owns the function libraries and developed it for use on Windows Servers.