Choosing a Database for Your Web Site

Web servers and databases go hand in hand on the Net. However, as any Webmaster who has grappled with the design decisions will tell you, there are many ramifications to consider when you hitch your server to a database. In Choosing a Database for Your Web Site, John Paul Ashenfelter aims to help you with this crucial architectural decision.

This book was designed to bridge the gap between general discussion and specific product suggestions, and the author has done a commendable job on this front. While the text certainly does not discuss all of the tools available, there is a reasonable emphasis on popular databases, such as Microsoft Access and FileMaker Pro, with occasional discussions of many other tools.

The opening chapters present a nice overview of the importance of database-driven Web sites, database terminology, and basic database-design concepts. Then, the author introduces the unique aspects of Web database technology. With this background behind you, it's on to a chapter that presents the various metrics to consider when choosing a database solution.

Throughout the remainder of the book, the author looks at Web databases, application servers, and real-world examples from the perspective of their purpose, technology, and support. This title provides an excellent foundation for evaluating Web databases and clarifies the capabilities of commercial solutions. --Stephen Plain