Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
Introducing phpMyAdmin
Welcome to the evolved Web! In the last few years, the Web has changed
dramatically. In its infancy, the Web was a medium used mainly to convey
static
information ("Look, my home page is on the Web!"). Now, large parts of the Web
carry information that is
dynamically generated
by application programs, on which
enterprises and even individuals rely for their intranets and public websites.
Because of the clear benefits of databases (better accessibility and structuring of
information), web applications are mostly database driven. The front-end used is the
well known (and quickly deployed) web browser, and there is a database system at
the back-end. Application programs provide the interface between the browser and
the database.
Those who are not operating a database-driven website today are not using the
medium to its fullest capability. Also, they could be lagging behind competitors
who have made the switch. So it is not a question of whether we
should
implement a
database-driven site, but it is more about
when
and mostly
how
to implement it.
Why web applications? They improve user experience and involve them in the
process by opening up possibilities such as:
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Gathering feedback about the site
Letting users communicate with us and with each other through forums
Ordering goods from our e-commerce site
Enabling easily editable web-based information (content management)
Designing and maintaining databases from the Web
Nowadays, WWW might stand for
World-Wide Wave
, a big wave that profoundly
modifies the way developers think about user interface, data presentation, and most
of all, the way data reaches users and comes back to the data center.
