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Web Info System Lecture 02

This document discusses web-based information systems and database-driven websites. It begins by distinguishing between static and dynamic web pages, noting that dynamic pages are created in real time from a database. It then defines databases and database-driven websites. The document outlines reasons for using a database, such as frequently changing information or large amounts of content. It also discusses choosing between commercial and open-source databases. Finally, it covers key features of web-based information systems like cross-platform compatibility and security, and their social impacts in online communities, education, news, government services, and more.

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Mohamed Kulmiye
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
36 views

Web Info System Lecture 02

This document discusses web-based information systems and database-driven websites. It begins by distinguishing between static and dynamic web pages, noting that dynamic pages are created in real time from a database. It then defines databases and database-driven websites. The document outlines reasons for using a database, such as frequently changing information or large amounts of content. It also discusses choosing between commercial and open-source databases. Finally, it covers key features of web-based information systems like cross-platform compatibility and security, and their social impacts in online communities, education, news, government services, and more.

Uploaded by

Mohamed Kulmiye
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Web-based Info System

Chapter 2: Database-Driven Web Sites

Overview
 Introduction
 When and why to build a database-
driven Web site?
 Choosing a database
 Choosing a scripting language
 Why information architects should
be concerned?
 Conclusion Department of Computer
 References Science

Semester 9
Lecturer Yasir A. Mohamed
Static Web pages vs. dynamic Web pages
Static Web pages
Data is stored in .html files
Won't change until someone changes their source codes
Dynamic Web pages
Web pages that respond to users' requests and gather information
from them. Oftentimes, they have built-in links to a database, from
which they extract data based on input from the users Created in
real time
What is data and database?

Data: a general term meaning the facts, numbers, letters, and


symbols processed by a computer or communications system to
produce information. In a computer system these items are stored in
files.
Database: A collection of related files is a database
What is a database-driven Web site?
Definition: A database-driven Web site is a Web site that uses a
database to gather, display, or manipulate information

Example:

News sites: CNN.com and BBC.com


E-commerce companies: Amazon.com, which is a Web interface of a
big-sized database system containing customer and transactional
information.
When do we need a database-driven web site?

We would need a database-driven Web site if our information


changes very often, just like in a banking site.

Most organizations have a great deal of information in databases


and could benefit if this information is made available online,

When the content on a site reaches critical mass, it's time to stop
managing it as “resources embedded in static HTML" and start to
create a database-driven Web site or Dynamic Website.
Cont.
 Web pages of database-driven Web sites are created dynamically
(in real time) this giving a Web site visitor up-to-date view of
information stored in the database.
 Users can do their own maintenance via a set of Web-based data
entry forms Such as we can change our address, credit card
information of our Amazon account by ourselves.
 The information that the Web site visitor sees on a dynamic Web
page can be quickly customized For example, the sort order of the
items can be changed or certain database fields can be shown or
hidden.
Cont.
 The look & feel of the database-driven pages can be easily
changed vs. having to redo dozens if not hundreds or thousands
of static Web pages in the event that a site's design needs to be
modified
 Several different views of the database information can be
presented in the same time
For example, the items could be presented in alphabetical order
by name but then could also be sorted and presented by cost
 The site visitor can do a search on the items in the database
 It is easy for Web masters to maintain the Web sites
3. Choosing a database
Commercial databases: Oracle, SQL Server
 Cost: expensive
 Hardware requirements: high
 Target customers with more specific needs than open source
databases (enterprise edition and standard edition)
Have an impressive array of advanced features
Open source databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL
Cost: cheap
Hardware requirements: low
Be lack of some advanced features
Cont...
All of this can be achieved by writing a single web-based application
that will be run on a server. The app can be written in various
programming languages and make use of multiple technologies and
frameworks. A web-based application will run on the client
computer’s browser no matter what operating system is installed.
This makes web-based apps one of the most universal cross-platform
solutions available today.
Examples of Web-Based Applications
You may not know, but you are most likely using web-based
applications in your daily life. Depending on the use scenario, web-
based apps can be pretty simple or mirror the complexity of desktop
software. Some web based application examples of the latter are:
systems that allow you to book accommodations, tickets, and
other services online;
online payment systems;
interactive Internet portals (websites that work with user input such
as sign-up information);
CRM-systems for working with massive data sets and managing
multiple projects.
Key features of web-based Information System:

Web-based information systems have evolved significantly over


recent years with its improvement. Web-based applications have
several advantages over traditional software based applications.
Some of the core features of web-based applications are given
below:
1. Cross platform compatibility:
Most web-based applications are compatible in different platforms
than traditional installed software. The minimum requirement
would be a web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape etc.).
You can use different OS such as Windows, Linux or Mac to run the
web applications.
2. More Manageable
WordPress or Sublime used for HTML only need to be installed on
the Computer placing minimal requirements on the end user
workstation, which makes the system easier to maintain and update
as usually it can all be done on the server.
3. Multiple concurrent users:
Web-based applications can indeed be used by multiple users at the
same time. It's not necessary to share screen or send a screenshot
when multiple users see and even edit the same document at the
same time. Web conferencing and online collaboration companies
regulate some key transformations and users only explore what they
really need to work effectively and co-edit documents together
4. Reduced cost:
Web-based applications can reduce cost due to support and
maintenance, lower requirements on the end user system and
simplified architecture. It doesn't require any high cost or marketing
infrastructure.
5. Secure live data:

These applications can decrease the risk of losing data due to an


unexpected disk crash or computer virus. Companies of web-based
applications provide extensive data backup service either as an
integral part or basic service or sometimes as a paid service.
Social aspects of web-based information system

Social life is affected by web-based information system in different


ways. Some of them are given below:

Online community:
An online community is a virtual community which exist online and
can take the form of information system where any one can post
content by using bulletin board system or weblogs. Online
community is used by various social and professional groups
interacting via web-based technology. It's not necessary to have a
strong bond among the members.
Cont...
The social network based online community arrived in early 2000s
which is called social networking services contains different category
divisions to connect with people. Social networking services allow
people to create their own profile. Now Facebook and twitter has
been using widely worldwide. More than 30 million and 18 million
people are using Facebook and twitter respectively at the end of
2009. Myspace and LinkedIn being most widely used in North
America. There are many others social networking website such as
hi5, LinkedIn, orkut, tagged etc which is using all over the world.
Some social networking sites are created for the benefit
Educational Institutions:

Now-a-days WBIS is used by most of the educational institutions for


communicating with students. Students can find their course
material, class schedules or any updated information through the
WBIS. This technology has enabled researchers to access a wider
source of information though internet. Moreover it is helpful for
distance learning.
News & media organizations:
As WBIS is used to store, manipulate, distribute or to create
information, news and media organizations are intimately familiar
with each of the elements of information technology. This
technology helps us to get the updated news from all over the
world. We can also get early information about weather and natural
disaster, stock exchange, fashion etc. So this technology is playing an
important role in our social and day to day life.
Governments
The development of WBIS has helped the government to improve
their service to their citizens. Citizens can get current and accurate
government information from e-government websites. Government
can publish different types of information through websites such as
budget of the country, tourist spots of the country, results of
examinations, Migration information etc. Income tax department is
doing online tax accounting for collecting income tax now. So
government can get various advantages from WBIS.
Thanks!
Any questions?

You can find me at:


[email protected]
[email protected]
www.sunriseacademy.com

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