What to do with a database once you have records?

I know this maybe the dumbest of all questions, but im going to try. Once you create a database for a client, say it is contacts. Typically how does the client interact or retrieve the records? Do you create a portion of the site that only they have access to (and they print out the results of searches? or should they use a software like Microsoft access? I guess for on-line stores it's usually integrated with their local software?

I haven’t had to deal with this because all of the sites I’ve done so far basically just display information, so HTML and JavaScript cover me and im not in pinch to do it now. Just want to learn as much as I can and move more towards being a well-rounded web designer/developer.

Sorry for the long post,

Dave

what is your database? MySQL, MSSQL or MS Access
Would you please elaborate your question little more?

this is not so much of a specific question, more general. Once a database that I have set up for a clint has information (can't do that yet, im learning). how do i as the web developer tell the client to retrieve that information. How would the client get the information about the people that have filled out a form on their website. is it as easy as creating an area of the website that only they can get to, and they make the query's their.

Sorry for the convoluted question i think it may a little to basic for this forum.

Dave

It's a fair question if you're just starting out.

Well, since you will be using the web to present the data, you'll want to be creating a front-end (the end-user site), and a back-end, where the admin of the site can maintain the site using a web-interface, which talks to the DB.

To create a web-interface which talks to a DB, you need a server-side language, which if you've noticed is mainly what this site is about. The two big one's used are Microsoft's ASP, and Linux's PHP.

Using these languages, you create a connection to the DB, then present the data in a web-page.

Hope that answers your question.
stumpy

first off I was hoping you would reply, I really like your sites. I learned <IFRAME> thanks to you. and, if you get a chance look at my site and give me some feedback www.fs3d.com (still in progress, all the text is copied just as filler) I would appreciate it.

So basically the client would retrieve the date from the web. from a separate directory(or file what ever) on the site that only they have access to? I thought one might set them up with a software package like MS Access to view it locally or something like that.

Thanks

Dave

You don't have to build a web interface to access the db data. If you're using an Access DB, then using Access's GUI tools is another way of presenting the data.

Say you had a client who sells books, and they wanted a website to enable them to sell their books online. You'd create a database which housed the books, and build a front-end (using a server-side scripting language, like ASP, PHP, JSP, Python, etc) which would list the books... you'd add in the ability to sort books by genre, author, date published, etc... and add a searching facility... this is just an example.

You'd also create a backend tool which would allow the bookshop owner to add new books to the site, and maybe upload images of the book's covers.

If you are using an Access DB, you'd place the file in a directory that is inaccessable to anonymous users, so they can't download the MDB file directly. (unless of course you want them to! )


Thanks for the kinds words re: my sites. I'm pretty happy with them. :P Your site is looking pretty funky - let me know when you're done with it, as I'd love to see the finished product.

Work in progress for sure (the last one was all flash got sick of it, if you want to see http://www.fs3d.com/v1)

Okay I think I got it. Im going to try to implement it on my site for the contacts when I get a chance, the front-page extensions work okay for now.

If I have a question I’ll post a long verbose question again.

Thanks again

Dave