Database-driven Websites Sok King Tng INF 385E 26 Oct 2006

Outline Definition of a database Characteristics of a database-driven website AdvantagesExamples 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 informationuses a database to gather, display or manipulate information linked to a databaselinked to a database consists of dynamic web pagesconsists of dynamic web pages

Advantages more content but less maintenance requiredmore content but less maintenance required complete separation between your site's design and the content (in database) you want to presentcomplete 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 userinformation 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 Rosenfeld & Morville

Do’s well-planned, well thought-out, and well designed databasewell-planned, well thought-out, and well designed database reliable backup system for databasereliable backup system for database proper error-handlingproper error-handling include search-engine friendly entrances to siteinclude search-engine friendly entrances to site test, test, test!!!test, test, test!!!

Don’ts underestimate work involvedunderestimate work involved use inappropriate technologiesuse inappropriate technologies forget Murphy’s Lawforget Murphy’s Law

References Expedite Media Group. (2004). Retrieved Oct 25, 2006, from Mischook, S. (2006). Database driven websites: What are they and how they are built? Retrieved Oct 25, 2006, from National Information Standards Organization. (2004). Understanding metadata. Retrieved Oct 25, 2006, from PlanetMagpie. (2006). Retrieved Oct 25, 2006, from Reitz, J. M. (2006). Online dictionary for Library and Information Science. Retrieved Oct 25, 2006, from 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 Yuill, V. (2002). The Dos and Don’ts of database-driven websites. Retrieved Oct 25, 2006 from it.com/english/view.asp?AutoId=30&

? Questions ?