How do I connect an HTML web page to a database?


HTML, Hypertext markup language and databases are often used for different domains, but for the purpose of this article, we'll try to connect them. Before we get started with the methods and how we can connect them, it's necessary to understand what this can help us achieve.

HTML or hypertext markup language is known for building frameworks of a web page whereas Databases are known for storing data, along with retrieval and manipulation of the stored information. By connecting both of them we'll be able to store HTML web pages more efficiently. Now that we know this, let's look at the benefits in depth.

Benefits of Connecting HTML Web Page to Database

We give an HTML webpage the ability to communicate with database-stored data by establishing a connection between the two. Numerous functionalities, including user registration, login procedures, content management, e-commerce transactions, and many more, are made possible thanks to this connection. Below- mentioned are some of the benefits of connecting to database

  • Data Storage and Retrieval − Databases offer a trustworthy and effective method for storing a lot of structured data. We can store user information, product information, blog posts, comments, or any other type of data needed for the application by connecting an HTML webpage to a database. This enables us to dynamically retrieve and display the stored data on the web page in response to user requests or predetermined criteria.

  • User Engagement − HTML web pages that are connected to databases allow for user interaction. For instance, the information entered by users into forms on a website (like registration or contact forms) can be saved in the database for later use or processing. Similar inputs can be saved in the database for display or analysis when users leave reviews or comments on a website.

  • Dynamic Content Generation − We can create dynamic content based on user preferences or system conditions by integrating HTML web pages with databases.

  • Data Integrity and Security − Databases offer tools for guaranteeing the security and integrity of data. We can implement validation checks on user inputs to stop inaccurate or malicious data from being stored by integrating HTML web pages with databases. Encryption, access control and backup procedures are some of the additional security features provided by databases. These procedures guard unauthorized access to or loss of sensitive data.

  • Scalability and Performance − By linking HTML websites to databases, scalability and performance can be increased. Databases can effectively handle the increased load as data volume increases by optimizing storage and retrieval procedures. This makes sure that web applications continue to function properly even when there are a lot of users or a lot of data to process.

Methods Used

  • Using server side scripting language

  • Using IndexDB

Using Server Side Scripting Language

Server side scripts are majorly used to create dynamic web content on the server side of a web application. These run on the server even before the web page is forwarded to the client, very different from the functioning of JavaScript.

Processing user requests, interacting with databases, and dynamically producing HTML or other types of content are all tasks that are carried out by server-side scripting languages. They supply the reasoning and functionality that let web applications handle form submissions, authenticate users, access and work with databases, and create dynamic web pages catered to the needs of each user.

Algorithm

  • Design your HTML web page − Create your web page with the help of HTML. Define the elements of the HTML file, like headings and paragraphs, these will be used to interact with database data. You can also use CSS.

  • Set up a database(could be any database like MySQL, MongoDB, etc) − Select a Database Management System that suits your needs, For eg. MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB. Install and set up the DBMS on your server. The tables for your new database that will hold your data should be defined.

  • Choose a server side scripting language (preferably PHP) − Choose a scripting language for the server that supports database connectivity. Popular choices are Node.js with the Express framework, Python with the Django or Flask frameworks, and PHP.

  • Connect to the database − By providing some necessary information like hostname, username, and password, you can connect to the database.

  • Obtain information from the database − You can also choose to display database data on your web page. This could be done using SQL queries in the server side script. These queries retrieve the required data as JSON, XML or even in JavaScript.

  • Integrate server side code with HTML − Use the appropriate syntax provided by the scripting language of your choice to embed server-side code within your HTML web page. This enables you to generate HTML content on the fly using information retrieved from the database. For instance, you can iterate over a result set and produce HTML table rows using loops.

After integrating the server, testing and debugging is recommended along with some security measures. Implementing security measures will protect against common vulnerabilities

Using IndexDB

A client-side web storage technology called IndexedDB enables web applications to persistently store and retrieve large amounts of structured data. This NoSQL database, which is integrated right into web browsers, gives programmers a strong tool for offline data management, resource caching, and performance optimization.

Algorithm

  • Create an HTML file, like we did in the previous method.

  • Create a new IndexDB database − This can be done using the 'open' method of the IndexDB object.

  • Add data − To add data, access the object store you want to add it to and start a transaction on the database. The object store's 'add' method can then be used to insert new records.

  • Retrieve or update the data if required − The data can be retrieved or updated using the various methods IndexDB offers.

Conclusion

To conclude, HTML web pages and databases can be connected using the above-mentioned methods. This could be done to effectively use the pros of both the tools, where HTML would offer a framework for the webpage and Databases will provide efficient data storage. Thus, it is a crucial aspect of web development.

One can get to know the benefits of using different tools for the betterment of their language knowledge, allowing them to explore more and evolve into better developers, who understand the basics of language and what it can provide.

Updated on: 17-Aug-2023

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