Dreamweaver has the ability to add PHP or ASP code to your pages that lets them communicate with a database. Dreamweaver code can display dynamic data from the database on a Web page. It can also use forms to add data to the database or to update the data that is already there. Dreamweaver can also create login pages that restrict access to administrative pages. A Web designer can use Dreamweaver to create dynamic pages by completing simple dialog boxes. It's not necessary to know how to write the code.
Knowing how to use the dynamic functions of Dreamweaver opens up an whole new realm of possibilities in Web design. You can display a product catalog with list and display pages, and provide a backend for the site owners to update the product information themselves. Using data driven Web pages can save a countless hours in the creation and maintenance of a Web site. For instance, you could have a site on golf courses in Southern California. If you were building a static site, the site would would have hundreds of pages. If there were 400 courses, you would need a information page for each one, and also several list pages that listed courses in different areas. However, if you build this site with a database, you would have a home page, where the visitor could select the area he wanted to know about. A list page that listed golf courses in the chosen area, and page that listed the details about the particular course the visitor chose on the list page. That's 3 pages, instead of over 400.
You can do other things with databases, as well. You can create forms for Web visitors to fill out. They can RSVP to event invitations and choose their meal preference or T-Shirt size. They can add items to their wish lists or vote on an important issue. The possibilities are endless. Once you see how easy this is to do, you'll be finding ways to use it in almost every site you build.
Objectives
- Configuring Dreamweaver to work with databases
- Establishing a database connection from a Web page
- Displaying content from databases on Web pages
- Creating Web-based forms that add, modify and delete records in a database
- Protecting access to Web pages using usernames and passwords
Applicable Job Roles: Web designers who don't know how to hand code server side languages that communicate with databases will be able to add to their Web design skills.
Introduction to Dreamweaver course or equivalent knowledge/experience. Advanced Dreamweaver is also helpful.
