Using Databases on the Web

Accelerated Technical Training for Programmers and Webmasters

About this Course
  1. Overview
  2. Courseware
  3. Format
  4. Audience
  5. Prerequisites
  6. Outline
  7. Objectives
  8. Method
  9. Classroom Setup
  10. Site

Overview

 Do you have (or plan to build) a database? Do you want your users to access it with their web browsers? If so, this course is for you.

Modernize your user interface! Make it accessible and easy and it will be popular and successful. The techniques presented in this course enable you to do all this without being bound to a platform (works with PCs and with Unix) or to a database (works with Oracle, Informix, Sybase, MS Access, MySQL, etc.)

This course presents tools and techniques for Perl programmers and webmasters to build CGI scripts that do lookups and updates on databases.

Courseware

 This is a Web-based class.
The training materials are at http://www.keller.com/dbweb/.

Format
  • One full day
  • Emphasis on practical skills
  • Hands-on
  • Instructor-led and classroom-based, with printed and on-screen (web) materials

Audience

 This course is for technical staff -- programmers, webmasters, application developers -- who want to:
  • Connect databases to the Web.
  • Use browsers as their user interface.
  • Breathe new life into legacy databases.
  • Build new Web-based database applications.

Prerequisites

 Check the boxes for the prerequisites you satisfy.
  • Perl programming experience:
    basic concepts: variables, control of flow (loops, branches), input/output, functions (subroutines)
    writing and running scripts
    regular expressions
    record- and field-oriented data processing
  • Use of a text editor:
    any editor available in the classroom is ok
  • Familiarity with the programming platform:
    invoking commands at the command-line prompt
    command-line options and arguments
    navigating the filesystem
  • Basic notions of i/o in Unix and/or NT:
    standard in/out/error
    creating and managing files
  • Writing web pages:
    basic HTML
  • Databases:
    basic SQL
If you have checked nine or more, you're well-equipped to take this class!

Outline

 Chapter 1: The Big Picture: Strategies for Web-Enabling Your Database
Chapter 2: Connecting to Your Database
Chapter 3: Handling Errors
Chapter 4: Adding Rows to Database Tables from Web Forms
Chapter 5: Building Dynamic Forms from Database Data
Chapter 6: Updating Database Records from Forms
Chapter 7: Generating Reports on Web Pages
Chapter 8: Conclusion
Appendix A: Common Administrative Tasks

Objectives

 You will master the skills and techniques to:
  • Choose a strategy for web-enabling your database.
  • Use browsers as your user interface.
  • Breathe new life into legacy databases.
  • Build new web-based database applications.
  • Use Perl and its DBI and DBD modules.
  • Connect to a relational database from a web page.
  • Anticipate and handle errors when they arise.
  • Insert, retrieve, and update data in a database using Perl.
  • Generate web forms containing data retrieved from databases.
  • Collect data from Web forms for database updates.
  • Generate reports on web pages from database retrievals.
  • Perform basic database administration tasks from Perl scripts.

Method

 Skills are reinforced with detailed hands-on exercises:
  • Each technique is applied in a lab.
  • Sample source code is provided.
  • You work with real databases.
  • You run real programs.
  • The state-of-the-art DBI, DBD, and CGI Perl modules are applied.

Classroom Setup

 Delivery of this course requires a classroom equipped with:
  • Unix or NT
  • A PC or workstation for the instructor
  • A projector for the instructor's computer screen
  • A PC or workstation for each student
  • A connection to the Internet
  • A web server (configured so students can create and run their own CGI programs)
  • Perl version 5.004 or newer, including the CGI extension
  • A database server (MySQL, Oracle, Access, or perhaps others) with privilege to create and destroy databases
  • ODBC (required on NT only)
  • The Perl DBD::MySQL, DBD::oracle, or DBD::ODBC module
  • The Perl DBI module
  • Here are the classroom system administration details.
We can provide instructions and assistance with the classroom setup.

Site

 The course can be taught in your classroom, anywhere in the world. Travel outside the San Francisco Bay Area requires reimbursement of the instructor's travel expense.

Copyright © 2020

Dan Keller Technical Services
2248 International Blvd., Oakland
California, USA 94606
tel: 415 / 861-4500