[ILUG] Apache and database / text files

[John P. Looney]

On Fri, Feb 18, 2000 at 01:57:29PM +0000, Cormac McClean mentioned:
> 1. Apache communicates with Oracle (or other) database, responds to browser 
> requests to query database, returns data to browser, and updates database 
> according to browser data.

 Sounds cunning.

> 2. Data is stored in text files (csv files), Apache queries and updates
> text files via cgi scripts.

 Bad idea. This is how it was done in the dark ages, when CGI was a good
idea.

> 3. Open Source or Commercial package running on Unix/Linux which will do 
> the above.

 Package ? Hmmm.

 Apache comes with Oracle, MySQL and PostgreSQL modules, that I know of.
All work quite well.

> Based on your experience and expertise, which approach would you suggest?
> If Apache can communicate with a database, which software would I use?

 It depends on whether or not you have experience with Apache, or Oracle
or whatever. If you are starting from scratch, and expect a very loaded
system, I'd have to get on my stand, and shout "AOLServer". It talks to
Oracle very fast, though if you are on a budget, Apache/PostgreSQL is good
if you are doing a lot of writing, and Apache/MySQL if youare doing a lot
of reading.

> If cgi-scripts are to be used, could they be shell scripts, or would I need
> to use perl? (currently don't know perl)

 OK. Then choose apache/AOLserver and learn their primary scripting -
which would be either PHP or TCL.

> I am following a direct line of enquiry myself (e.g. O'Reilly's Apache 
> book, Linux Programming texts) but if anyone could suggest other texts
> that would be useful it would be appreciated (it's about time I gave
> myself a present of another Linux book!).

 Nip over to http://www.photo.net/wtr/thebook/ "Philip and Alex's Guide to
Web Publishing" - how to build a database backed website. Pretty good
reading.

Kate