Server based dynamic languages add functionality to web site creation that increases the value of a web site initiative while drastically reducing development time. Languages like PHP can be used in a number of situations that provide a robust back-end system on which to base your new dynamic web site. The following are some examples of web applications that can be built with dynamic languages, giving you unprecedented flexibility and ease of maintenance.
If you have an ODBC compliant database that contains information you wish to publish on the web, dynamic languages make accessing that data very easy. Any kind of data you have been storing can be shared either publicly or privately using server-side programming language or even client side.
A large relatively untapped market exists behind the firewall in organizations of every size, the Intranet. Intranets are the use of Internet technology within the boundaries of a company to improve communications and centralize information for easy access. Need to track photocopies, what was purchased from the vending machines or even how long the user is away from the desk, this is all possible
Since dynamic languages can perform math functions and uses databases, it only makes sense that Commerce sites use dynamic languages to take orders, show stock levels, calculate prices and other administrative duties in selling goods over the Internet.
Featuring dynamically generated pages containing products taken from your catalog database, and the ability for both local and remote administration through a Web interface, this package provides a shopping-cart paradigm for the on-line shopper.
Most telephone support centers have a database of knowledge, customers and outstanding calls. This information, if accessible via the Web, could drastically reduce the number of phone calls to the center. Allowing customers to browse the knowledge base for answers or to enter a call directly from the web will obviously reduce costs and improve customer service. Dynamic languages make this possible by connecting to any ODBC compliant database and being able to access the necessary information.
It is possible to use dynamic languages to generate graphic images. What this allows is the booking of seats in a theatre, restaurant, or trade show from a graphical interface. Seats that are taken will be indicated as such and those available could be selected and then reserved. The graphics pack allows a whole new world of generating dynamic graphics based on user input.
A complete email list manager, with interactive user registration forms, automatic distributed and moderated mailing lists, and a complete web-based administrative back-end can be created. You can send email from your web documents for such things as Tips, News or other broadcast type situations. It can also be used to send information to a user after submission of form data such as download file location or activation keys.
Using a database it is possible to create product knowledge testing systems, provide test preparation for educational and training institutions or to build distance education systems.
Dynamic languages can be used to generate HTML pages on-the-fly. Any HTML tags can be contained in a database or variable. When resolved to data, it could contain more HTML. This allows you to generate HTML pages and therefore customize content based on user input. Content can also be customized based on the time of day, the IP address of the user or the type of browser being used.
Using the browser as a front end to databases or applications even further standardizes the manner in which employees access corporate data. Allowing updating of the single datasource keeps both the internal and web site systems in sync and live. If a site is generated from data in a database, the site can be entirely maintained from within the browser environment.
With error trapping functions it is possible to have automatic page self verification. It is also possible to check all the links on a site to make sure all pages exist. With the logging features in dynamic languages, users behavior can be tracked and the site changed to suit users activity with the site.
Using a database to store page layouts and site features, it is possible to create small static sites for users on the fly. By entering standard information about a company into a database and selecting colours, backgrounds and style, a site can be dynamically generated. Changing the look of the site is as simple as changing a field in the database and regenerating the site.
Sites make money by generating advertisement revenue. To make significant amounts of money from advertising revenue, a site needs multiple advertisers. It is possible to create random advertisement's based on weightings of the ads. It can also track the total impressions of each ad for pricing structure improvements.