Chapter 13: Data Buffet
(The Global Database)

Ingredients:

  • Databases
  • Database Connection Methods
  • Tools for Serving Databases

For some diners and chefs, single helpings of à la carte menu items only serve to whet the appetite. The only way to experience the full range of tastes is through a smorgasbord of appetizers, entrees, and side dishes. Diners can then eat their fill of exactly the amount and variety of dishes they crave.


Examples

13.4.1 FileMaker Pro and Lasso Lite
A simple calendar database served up from Filemaker Pro with Lasso Lite.
13.4.2 Perl Flat-file Database
A simple phone directory database using some simple Perl scripts. See the database in action or view the script source.


Tables

Table 13-1 Database Information

Product Description
A Tightwad's Guide to Flat File Databases by Edward Ringel A discussion of the merits and disadvantages of relational versus flat-file databases. From MacTech vol 12, no. 12.
An Introduction to Client/Server Database Development by Liam Breck "A review of the technologies behind a revolution" from MacTech vol. 11, no. 6.
Databases and the World Wide Web by Marianne Winslett A classroom tutorial (slides from a lecture) on databases and the Web.

Table 13-2 Database Connection Methods

Product Description
JDBC by Web Advisor A description of JDBC and links to other JDBC information.
JDBC technology by Sun Microsystems The official home page for the Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) data access API.
ODBC by Microsoft Microsoft defined the widely accepted Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) API.
ODBC guide by Lauri Savioja A no-frills listing of ODBC calls and functions.
ODBC Primer by FileMaker, Inc. Using ODBC drivers with FileMaker Pro.
Oracle FAQ: ODBC by Kate Bath A commentary on the "cons and cons" of ODBC with Oracle.

Table 13-3 Web-Database Connectivity Tools

Product Description
4th Dimension by ACI A popular database development environment for the Mac. The latest version includes Web server capabilities.
FileMaker Pro by FileMaker, Inc. Recent versions (4 and 5) of FileMaker Pro have Web serving capability built-in.
FMPro Tuner by Proteron A Mac OS system extension that improves the performance of FileMaker Pro 3 and 4.
Lasso by Blue World Communications Tool to put FileMaker Pro databases on the Web. Lasso includes Java classes for accessing FileMaker Pro. Lasso 2.5.2 lets Lasso 2.x users get some of the benefits of memory, performance, and syntax improvements of Version 3.x.
Lasso Server-Side JavaScript Module by Blue World Communications Enables FileMaker Pro and ODBC data sources to be accessed for the Web using JavaScript.
Panorama by ProVUE Development A fast, RAM-based database. Includes software to let you access Panorama databases via CGI.
Perl database code by Perl.com Collection of Perl scripts for interacting with various DBMSs.
Perlguy's Pages by Brent Michalski A tutorial for using Perl to access databases. See also the Examples in Chapter 13.
System 7 Pack by ISIS International Extends 4th Dimension so that you can write scripts, including CGI scripts, for it.
Tango by Pervasive Software Not only does Tango 2000 provide development, deployment and maintenance components; it also includes a web server, database server, integration with HTML authoring tools, and several templates and tutorials.
WebClerk by James Technologies A database-driven eCommerce solution, web server and prefabricated web site which implements catalogs, order entry, service, libraries and secure credit card transactions.
WebFM by Web Broadcasting Server plug-in for publishing FileMaker Pro 3.0/4.0 databases on the Web.
WebFox by Warner Group Publish FoxPro databases on the Web. (This link may be dead, but I don't have a better one. Do you?)
WebInk ODBC by WebInk Extends the Webink environment to include access to ODBC databases.
WebSiphon by Purity Software An CGI preprocessor that lets you include SiphonScript database commands directly in your HTML files. Works with Verona flat-file database (included).
WebSiphon Enterprise Edition by Purity Software Extends WebSiphon to allow Web developers to connect to any ODBC-compliant data source.
WebSTAR database integration by StarNine Listing of database tools for extending WebSTAR (and other servers that support WebSTAR plug-ins).
X20 by Xperts, Inc. A Web server plug-in for Oracle database access, supports dynamic HTML, dynamic PDF, HTTP access and more.

Table 13-4 Lasso Lite

Product Description
Lasso Lite by Blue World Communications The free version of Lasso Lasso Lite is no longer supported (but is available for free download).