Database-Driven Websites Blogs, Wikis, Etc.

What is `The Web'? A distributed document delivery service implemented using application-level protocols on the Internet A tool for collaborative writing and community building A framework of protocols that support e-commerce A network of co-operating computers interoperating using HTTP and related protocols to form a sub-net of the Internet A large, cyclical, directed graph made up of webpages and links

What is `The Web'? A distributed document delivery service implemented using application-level protocols on the Internet A tool for collaborative writing and community building A framework of protocols that support e-commerce A network of co-operating computers interoperating using HTTP and related protocols to form a sub-net of the Internet A large, cyclical, directed graph made up of webpages and links

Databases and the WWW B2B is important –Using the WWW as a distributed document delivery service –Using XML and XML-based tools to package and share data, place orders, maintain inventory, … Self-organizing communities are another, but less obvious application of the WWW

Self Organizing Communities? The standard HTML model is –Author/designer makes a webpage or website –The author decides what the content is and where the links are Links out of website Link targets in the website –Reader uses the website but cannot change it Only input is through forms (or hacking) More like reading a magazine than using a ‘shared space’

Self Organizing Communities Radical compared to HTML Model –People who come together to create a linked set of webpages –Could also be a MUD or a MOO (although much less frequent than before) Types of communities –SparrowWeb – community shares templates –Wiki – multiple authors –Blog – author and commentators

Where is the Database? It is hidden on the server-side –We infer its presence but it is not really needed –Type, schema, etc. are unimportant It is not an interface component –The author might not even know about it

What is a Blog? version_of_weblog_definition.html /an_introduction_.php Who cares? –Part of the societal changes brought about by the WWW –New applications of hypertext –Opportunity for study within (and outside of) CS

RSS What is it? ‘Real Simple Syndication’ (aka ‘Rich Site Summary’) What is it good for? –Pushing data to web clients –Originally for website and news updates –Now for sharing all types of information between websites, and for podcasting

How Does RSS Function? Broadcast text to subscribers using a simple and small XML-based language

Dalhousie CS4173 Examples real WWW code CGI in general What CGI is & How to use it Self-generating CGI forms Way kool demos Adapted from W3schools example Adapted from W3schools example

Blog Characteristics StructureChronological diary + comments + trackbacks InputPlain text (possibly with a little formatting) and links OutputHTML and links Controlling AuthorityAuthor(s) & commentators

Wiki what’s that? StudleyCaps or MixedCapitalization –Indicates WikiWord (significant term) –Each WikiWord has its own webpage

Wiki Characteristics StructureTerms and definitions InputPlain text (possibly with a little formatting) OutputHTML and links Controlling AuthorityAuthor(s) & moderators can change

What About Sparrow Web? ow/