database applications on the web
TRANSCRIPT
Database Applications on the WebAIR Pre-Forum WorkshopMay 30, 1999
John Milam University of Virginia
Mike WoodGeorge Mason University
A Shared Vision of the Web• HTML (forms and tables)
• ODBC/OLE drivers
• SQL
• Web servers
• Middleware products/data streaming
HTML• forms for getting or posting data
• tables for presenting results
ODBC/OLE• Open Database Connectivity
(ODBC) drivers, which make it possible to connect to and use a database without launching the database program itself
• Example - using Access files on the Web withoutrunning Access
SQL• Structured Query Language (SQL) for
sending queries (information requests)to a database
Web servers• Netscape Enterprise Server, Microsoft
Internet Information Server, and Apache which serve documents and data on the Web
• Available in NT, Unix, Solaris, Mac OS
Middleware for data streaming• Software which works between the Web
server and the HTML-based website to publish dynamic (as opposed to static) pages
Middleware Products• Cold Fusion• Active Server Pages (ASP/ Visual InterDev) • Internet Database Connectivity• Perl• Tango• Drumbeat 2000 (ASP)• NetObjects Fusion (ASP)• FrontPage 98/2000
Middleware Products - continued• WebObjects (Mac)• mSQL• Java• IBM Web Connectors• Informix Universal Web Connect• WebFocus• Sapphire Web• Programming languages - C and Cobol
• Page-based Applications
• JIT Compilation and Page Caching
• Web Server APIs
• Multithreaded Service Architecture
• Distributed Objects
• Cold Fusion Studio
• Integrated with Dreamweaver andNetObjects Fusion
• NT, Solaris
Issues
• Cost
• Platform
• Scalability
• Throughput
• Client vs.Server
• Browser
• Graphics
• Staffing
• Training
• Complexity
• Security
• Politics
• Nature of Data
• Mapping
• Driven by Performance Indicators
• Problems w/ admin systems for analysis of aggregate data
• Admin systems focus on transactions
• IR office knows extracts, data dictionary, data administration issues, and analysis tools
Database Apps at GMU (1995)
• Create data source, link ODBC
• Design application
• Pass query parameters with form
• Process queries via .cfm templates containing SQL, special CF tags, and output statements
Cold FusionApplication Development
Data Source
(1) Createdatabasetables
(2) LinkODBC driverswithin Cold FusionAdministrator
SampleTemplate #1
Selectsdistinctlist ofindicatorsto create adynamicallypopulatedform.
SampleTemplate #2
Creates homepagebased onparametersbased fromtemplate #1
Template #1Results
Template #2Results
Internet Resources for IR - Offices.cfm
• CF 4.0 Application Server• Windows NT Server 4.0• Internet Information Server 4.0• Dual Pentium II w/256 MB RAM, three
4.5GB Ultra-Wide SCSI HD’s, hot swappable, RAID5, redundant power supplies & cooling systems
• Moving to database server (SQL Server 7?)
Current Architecture
Operational w/New CF Apps• Faculty workload• Faculty equity database• Budget request/tracking/workflow system• Online surveys for assessment, others• Affirmative action/faculty demographics• University student awards system/voting• Enrollment targets/projections• Provost’s Document Repository
More Apps• GMU website• Membership directories for IR associations• Performance indicators application• Internet Resources for IR• IRR Office website• Degrees Conferred• Space Management Analysis• Student Ratings of Instruction
• Drill down from exec, div, or dept to account and object code level
• Examine sub-groups
• Historical account analysis
• Bar/pie graphs with Java
• Move to Chart FX
• Daily expenditure & revenue data, with special end-of-month files
• Drill down bydivision
• Summary acctdata
• Drill down byacct to objectcode data
•
• Biweekly payroll extracts
• Drill down from exec/div/dept
• Summary data by exec/div
• Detail dept/acct data
• Ethnicity by gender crosstab
• Glossary and data dictionaryof terms used
• Base faculty info
• Tenure by rankcrosstabs
• Rank by agecrosstabs
• Drill down byvarious fields
• Credit hours matrix
• Course FTE matrix
• Drill down at collegeor division level
• Alpha list of faculty
• Matrix of coursestaught by semester
Budget Request System
Course Data:Consumptionvs. Contribution
Enrollment Targets
Student Ratings of Instruction
Space Analysis1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
AIR Structures of Data Project
• Political issues (access, who sees what data)
• Security (NT, SSL, digital certificate, web server permissions, CF app, IP, cookies, tokens, not tied to LAN)
• Support, staffing, resources, communication
• Nature of data (ownership, data dictionary, clean-up, frequency, level of aggregation, historical, census vs. operational
Issues and Constraints
• Mapping of exec/div/dept/unit/acct codes• Graphics, browser support, lowest common
denominator.• Javascript and Java• Database and ODBC drivers• SAS code base, drivers; SPSS Smart Viewer• Scalability• Image as data mart vs. warehouse (what it’s not (for
grade lists, rosters, mailings)
Issues and Constraints - continued
Starting Recommendations• Take the risk. Build it and they will come• Build it (IT) in-house to get more control• Use NT• Learn SQL. Use it everywhere you can.• Webify everything you can. • Network with colleagues (at conferences like AIR)
• Don’t be attached if someone tries to take it.• Be seen as the leader in aggregate use of web-enabled data
for decision-making• Be sure what you want to do with your life
Contact info
John Milam
(804) 924-3880 (voice)[email protected] (email)
Curry School of EducationDept. of Leadership, Policy, and FoundationsUniversity of Virginia405 Emmet Street SouthCharlottesville, VA 22903
Mike Wood
(703) 993-8840 (voice)[email protected] (email)
Institutional Research and Reporting
George Mason UniversityMS3D2, D205 Mason HallFairfax, VA 22030-4444
Database Applications on the WebAIR Pre-Forum WorkshopMay 30, 1999
John Milam University of Virginia
Mike WoodGeorge Mason University