Database Driven Websites

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The Internet has grown to become the fastest growing community where millions of people can share information and communicate with others and has become a haven for newly starting businesses.

As websites are developed, critical thinking must be enforced as only the best websites thoroughly plan through what they have in store for the future of their website.

So what is the point of this lens? Database Driven Websites describes the usefulness of database-driven websites, examples of database-driven websites, and if your website should be database-driven, along with a plethora of links to help you on your venture to a successful website. 

Usefulness of Database Driven Websites

  1. Ability to manage your website by simply adding data to the database and dynamically update your website.
  2. Ability to easily implement features such as sorting in ascending/descending order alphabetically, by date, or by popularity for items such as downloads/articles/tutorials.
  3. Ability to add searchability to your website and let users find exactly what they need.
  4. Ability to allow others (staff) to manage your website through the database and specify permissions for users.
  5. Allow the community to submit articles/content to your website and dynamically update your website.
  6. Less work, self-run website that enables easy management and consistency.

Who should make a database driven website?

If you even consider that your website could later contain any more than 50 pages then you should consider making your website database driven.

If you are planning to have a website based on community input, a database-driven website is crucial and should be implemented.

If you own a website where you are selling products, you should consider a database-driven website as it makes adding/removing/modifying items much easier.

Examples of Database Driven Websites

Slashdot.org
Slashdot.org is an infamous website that has been around for many years and is fully database-automated.
Planet Source Code
Planet Source Code, the largest website for source code on the net could not have existed without a database-driven system.
Cafe Press
A website that enables you to start your own online shop is database-driven as well.
Google
Google is the largest search engine in the world and the most popular one at that -- they are most famous for their superior database programming abilities.
Microsoft MSDN Library
The MSDN library, containing thousands of pages, could not be run without a database-driven system.
Squidoo
Squidoo also no doubt uses a database system to manage the information on the website. A beautiful example of a nicely implemented system.

What should I use?

Access databases are probably the easiest types of databases to use, but are not recommended as most of the professional websites are run on SQL databases.

There are other alternatives such as using python and perl but my recommendation would be to use SQL Databases.

Where Should I Go?

W3 Schools
They provide information on basic SQL querying as well as PHP tutorials that can help aid you with writing a database-driven website.
PHP.Net
The official PHP website that contains all sorts of PHP functions for you to use in your quest to write a database-driven website.
SitePoint.com Article
This article contains information on how to get started on building a database-driven website and what you should do.
MySQL Website
The developer website of MySQL.com that will help provide you with the information you need on building a database-driven website.
DanielMoxon.com
Discover all my latest projects and sites - programming and non-programming related.
231days.com Network
This creative network is great for anyone who needs free hosting, wants to share ideas, gain exposure, or get consulting

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pdesigns

I am an experienced programmer and web designer interested in the latest ideas and technologies available. I signed up for the Squidoo Beta as I like... more »

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