One of the most common types of dynamic web pages is the database driven type. It means that you have a web page that grabs information from a database (the web page is connected to the database by programming) and inserts that information into the web page each time it is loaded.
If you need to store a lot of information and provide search facilities to your users, a database driven site may be required. A good example would be a property agency who would be able to add/edit/delete properties at will from a database that would also enable front end users to search the database for a property by area, location, price etc.
If the information stored in the database changes, the web page connected to the database will also change accordingly without human intervention.
Hopefully you are understand why you would want a database driven website, you would want it if your information changes very often, just like in a Net-Banking website.
Database driven sites can be built using several competing technologies like PHP & MySql, ASP & MSsql, JSP, .Net, PERL, Cold Fusion etc.
Top Most Benefits of Database Driven Website
Database driven websites can provide much more functionality than a static site can. Extended functionality could include:
- Enabling many (potentially non-technical) users to provide content for the website. Users can publish articles on the website without needing to FTP them to a web server.
- Shopping cart
- You can provide advanced search functionality that enables users to filter the results based on a given field. They can then sort those results by a field - say "Price" or "Date".
- Customized homepage
- You can allow your users to perform tasks such as registering for a newsletter, post questions to your forums, provide comments on a blog, update their profile, etc.
- Integration with corporate applications such as CRM systems, HR systems etc
- Much more
