Skip to Content

Section #75929
August 25th - December 17th, 2008

Using Dreamweaver Databases on Web pages

Because of the need to keep the information on their sites constantly fresh, Web designers are using databases to hold their content and special server-based scripting that retrieves the content from the databases and displays it on the Web page. The Web page updates automatically every time the information in the database changes so the content is always current. Content in the databases can be augmented, modified or deleted using simple Web based forms. The new content is then immediately available to the next user without any editing of the page itself.

This combination of server side scripting and databases also makes it possible to design one page whose content changes dynamically to suit the needs of the present user. The information that is displayed is filtered according to choices the user makes on a previous page. For instance, a user looking for recreation options may choose California, or Florida. His choice determines which recreation options he sees.

Web developers can also collect data via HTML forms on a Web site and store this data in a database where it can be manipulated to suit their needs. Dreamweaver writes server side scripting to accomplish these goals in several different server side scripting languages including ASP, PHP, Cold Fusion, ASP.NET, and Java Server Pages (JSP). In class we use ASP because we can provide free ASP hosting. However, the Dreamweaver uses the same types of dialog boxes to write the other scripting languages, as well, so the knowledge that you gain working with ASP can be easily transferred to working with the other languages. Many students repeat the class a second time using their own PHP servers so that they can practice setup and implementation on PHP/MySQL servers. The class may be taken 4 times. After completing the class with both ASP and PHP, students may work on advanced projects of their own choosing.

Some Topics of Study include:

Prerequisites

GCMW 102 with Dreamweaver or the equivalent knowledge/experience. You should know how to use Dreamweaver to create normal HTML Web pages and know how to build functioning forms with Dreamweaver. You should know how to use Dreamweaver's site window to define your site, manage your site and to FTP your files to the server.

Repeating the Class with ASP or PHP

You may repeat the class. If you have already successfully completed the class once, you have the option of repeating the class using either ASP or PHP. Beginning students will use ASP with a free student server. Repeat students who opt to use PHP will have to set up their own hosting and domain names. I recommend hosting at: http://humingbirdhosting.com because they are reliable, inexpensive and supply phpMyAdmin (a database management tool for MySQL) for administering your database.

Another excellent host is http://crystaltech.com. At this writing, a basic PHP/MySQL account is $8.95 per month. They do not have phpMyAdmin pre-installed. If you choose this host, you will have to either install phpMyAdmin on your site yourself, or you will have to use another MySQL management such as MySQL-Front. These will be explained in class.

If you are getting your own site, do not get a free site that has popup ads or other advertising, etc., that displays anywhere on your pages or on your site. The popup ads can sometimes contain spyware that infects visitors' computers and it can also interfere with your server-side scripting. I am very strict about this. I will not visit a site that has this type of advertising to grade assignments.

Along with choosing a host for your PHP site, you may need to purchase a domain name. There are many places to get inexpensive domain names. A good one is GoDaddy at http://godaddy.com. Common TLD domain names are usually about $8.95 per year. However, there are often sales.

Those repeating the class with the PHP option will not need to use the Access book or the Access software. PHP students will be using a database named MySQL and will use a book on MySQL instead.

A Note About the PHP Option

If you just read the section above, you can see why I urge you to take the ASP/Access option of the class. It requires much less setup for you. If you are new to dealing with databases, this setting may be daunting. However, I do sometimes have students who have enough background that they are confident they can handle the PHP/MySQL option and they have special reasons for doing so. Therefore, if you are confident that you can manage the extra setup for the PHP/MySQL option and you really want to try it, I will allow you to do this the first time through. You will have a chance to choose this option when the class starts.

New Advanced Option for Repeat Students

For those students who have completed the class with once before, there is a new choice. They can take the Advanced option. This option will allow them to spend more time developing an advanced project of their own choosing. Other class assignments will be minimal to allow more time to work on the project.

Software Requirements:

This class requires Adobe Dreamweaver 8 or Dreamweaver CS3 software.

You will also need to be able to use either the Microsoft Access 2000, XP, 2003 or 2007 database program for a short time during the class.

Dreamweaver is available in some of the computer labs on campus. Places to check are B-21 (Windows computers) or GJ-2, GJ-6a, Escondido 405 or 102 (Macintosh computers).

Access is also available in some of the labs. B-21, B-24, B-25 all have Access for you to use. The library might also have it. ASP students will only be using Access the first few weeks of class and then again for a short time when you set up your project, so having to travel to campus to do your Access work will not be an ongoing burden throughout the semester. You might also be able to use a friend's computer that has Access on it. You won't have to use it often. Access for Windows can also be purchased at an educational price. It is not available for the Macintosh OS. The college has a special option available for students to purchase the entire Microsoft Office Suite through CollegeBuys.

If you are taking the class with the PHP option, you won't need to use Access at all. You will be using MySQL for your database. You won't have to run it on your own computer, but if you would like to, it is a free download for both Mac and Windows computers.

Once you are registered in the class, you are eligible for educational pricing on software. These prices are substantially lower than retail prices, and the software is fully functioning. Dreamweaver is available on its own or bundled with other Adobe software products.

Places to purchase the software at educational prices are listed at: http://artbytes.net/webpub. Also, CollegeBuys sells both Microsoft and Adobe software at very good prices to Palomar College students.

Other software that you will need are the free Adobe Acrobat Reader and an unzipping (decompression) program such as the free Aladdin Expander to unzip files.

Required Text for All Students ( ASP or the PHP option):

Required Text for ASP Students:

Required Text for Students taking the PHP option:

Places to purchase your books:

The campus bookstore will carry the books for the ASP students. Other places to purchase books at discount prices on the Web are listed on the following Web page: http://artbytes.net/webpub. Computer Books for Less in San Marcos and San Diego Technical Books in Kearney Mesa are local stores that carry technical books at discount prices. You might want to call before you make the trip to the store to be sure that it is in stock. They usually order it for you if they don't already have it.

Logging on to the class site:

Connections to our online Web site will be activated at http://blackboard.palomar.edu/webapps/login/ on Monday, August 25th, the first day of the semester.

Username: Students registered for this class will use their nine-digit student identification number for their UserID to login. Be sure to type in all 9 digits.

Passwords: For your password, use the same password that you use on eServices.

Once you are logged on to the system, click on the link to the Web Database Design, GCMW 216 class. You don't have to login at any particular time of day. During the course you will be logging in frequently, but at times that are convenient to your schedule. You will have an assignment due at the end of the first week of classes, so it is important that you do login to the class site during the first few days of class and do your assignment by the end of the first week. If you have not done so, or let the teacher know why not, you might be considered a "No Show". "No Shows" might be dropped from the class so that someone on the waiting list may take the course. It's just as if you were taking a class on campus and did show up for the first class.

eServices Email Address: Be sure to check your email address on eServices. Keep it updated so that if a teacher wants to send you some information, they will be able to. You can add a non-Palomar address, and then mark it as your "Preferred" email address. That way you can receive your Palomar email at the address that you use most often. Also, if you are unsure of your password for Blackboard, you can use the "Forgot Password" link, and the password will be sent to your preferred address.

Check Back Often:

This page will be updated to reflect any changes in information about the class. Please check back often. Once you have registered for the class, be sure to get your books and software so that you are ready to start the first week of class.

Applying to Palomar and Registering for the Class

You can now apply to Palomar College Online and register for the class. Please go to the Application Page.

Your application to Palomar College is free. When you apply, you will be given a student ID number. Once you have your student ID number, you will be able to register online for classes. Register at: https://eservices.palomar.edu/psp/pals9prd/?cmd=login&languageCd=ENG&

Tuition

Tuition is very low for students with a California address. At the present time, a 3 unit class such as this is $78 for California students. For those outside of California, the tuition is $453 for a 3 unit class.