Computer Database
A computer database is basically a compilation of information stored in a system in a manner that makes it easily retrievable. A database operates like an online filing system and stores data categorically to make retrieval simpler.
"Traditional databases are organized by fields, records, and files. A field is a single piece of information; a record is one complete set of fields; and a file is a collection of records. For example, a telephone book is analogous to a file. It contains a list of records, each of which consists of three fields: name, address, and telephone number. "
[Source: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/database.html]
I found the above explanation easy to understand in terms of how a database works. I was able to derive a good visual in my head from this description of how a database is structured and how it categorizes and maintains information.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Assignment 5
Basic Elements of Web Configuration
In trying to understand the basic computer and web terminology, I must admit I'm finding it all a bit complicated, excessive, and overwhelming. Here, I tried to assemble the best understanding of the basic elements and components of web configuration and proper functionality of a website. And I added a couple of diagrams which helped me gain a little better of an understanding of some of the terms.
One of the largest features is a web server, which is essentially a computer program created to acknowledge and read HTTP requests and respond to these requests with HTTP content which usually include HTML (web pages) and linked objects such as images. A web server could also be classified as a computer that is set up to host Web pages. So if someone types the URL http://www.fandango.com/ into their computer, a web server will locate this information in the W3C and send the information to the computer/person that requested it.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a simple and secure means of exchanging files over the Internet. The most common way that FTP is utilized is by downloading files from the Internet, such as music and pictures. Just as with a typical Website (an HTTP site), an FTP site stores and
organizes information and offers the creator the option to make their site public or private. It is often difficult or impossible to upload FTP files on a Web browser. Often an FTP Client is required for uploading and downloading FTP files, which is basically software that is designed to transfer files back and forth over the Internet between two computers. A typical FTP Client design is composed of two panes and looks like this diagram to the right. The left pane illustrates the files on your computer while the pane on the right side shows the files on the opposite computer.
A Domain Name System is a system created to apply names to computers, services, and basically any resource involved with the Internet. A DNS is a great organizing principle that associates various information to domain names given to participants as a means of identification across the Web spectrum. It doesn not depend on a users physical location. The naming system is basically an easier way to name computers' numerical addresses and make them more personified and identifiable. I found this bit a little too complicated to really fully grasp.
A chmod allows a user to set permissions for certain files on ones Web server. Such permissions vary and allow certain individuals access to certain information. For instance, permissions may be set that allow only the owner to view files while others can be set to allow a certain group or everyone access. Permission codes are set up with corresponding numbers that range from 0-7, with seven allowing the most access. The following diagram gives a better understanding of how the numbers and permissions correspond to allow access.
The number 0 essentially grants no permission while 4 grants permission to Read only, and the number 7 grants permission to Read, Write and Execute a file. So the number 777 allows for the most access by anyone while number 700 only allows the owner access to a file. This was perhaps the easiest aspect of Web configuration for me to understand. Why can't all of the codes and instructions be this simple?
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_server
http://www.ftpplanet.com/ftpresources/basics/htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_name_system
http://www.pageresource.com/cgirec/chmod.htm
In trying to understand the basic computer and web terminology, I must admit I'm finding it all a bit complicated, excessive, and overwhelming. Here, I tried to assemble the best understanding of the basic elements and components of web configuration and proper functionality of a website. And I added a couple of diagrams which helped me gain a little better of an understanding of some of the terms.
One of the largest features is a web server, which is essentially a computer program created to acknowledge and read HTTP requests and respond to these requests with HTTP content which usually include HTML (web pages) and linked objects such as images. A web server could also be classified as a computer that is set up to host Web pages. So if someone types the URL http://www.fandango.com/ into their computer, a web server will locate this information in the W3C and send the information to the computer/person that requested it.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a simple and secure means of exchanging files over the Internet. The most common way that FTP is utilized is by downloading files from the Internet, such as music and pictures. Just as with a typical Website (an HTTP site), an FTP site stores and
organizes information and offers the creator the option to make their site public or private. It is often difficult or impossible to upload FTP files on a Web browser. Often an FTP Client is required for uploading and downloading FTP files, which is basically software that is designed to transfer files back and forth over the Internet between two computers. A typical FTP Client design is composed of two panes and looks like this diagram to the right. The left pane illustrates the files on your computer while the pane on the right side shows the files on the opposite computer.A Domain Name System is a system created to apply names to computers, services, and basically any resource involved with the Internet. A DNS is a great organizing principle that associates various information to domain names given to participants as a means of identification across the Web spectrum. It doesn not depend on a users physical location. The naming system is basically an easier way to name computers' numerical addresses and make them more personified and identifiable. I found this bit a little too complicated to really fully grasp.
A chmod allows a user to set permissions for certain files on ones Web server. Such permissions vary and allow certain individuals access to certain information. For instance, permissions may be set that allow only the owner to view files while others can be set to allow a certain group or everyone access. Permission codes are set up with corresponding numbers that range from 0-7, with seven allowing the most access. The following diagram gives a better understanding of how the numbers and permissions correspond to allow access.
The number 0 essentially grants no permission while 4 grants permission to Read only, and the number 7 grants permission to Read, Write and Execute a file. So the number 777 allows for the most access by anyone while number 700 only allows the owner access to a file. This was perhaps the easiest aspect of Web configuration for me to understand. Why can't all of the codes and instructions be this simple?Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_server
http://www.ftpplanet.com/ftpresources/basics/htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_name_system
http://www.pageresource.com/cgirec/chmod.htm
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Assignment 4
1: Experimenting with Dreamweaver:
So I was able to create SOMETHING in Dreamweaver. I did not however attempt to recreate my blog, I sorta just created my own page (on graffiti) to experiment and see what I was capable of. It took me about an hour and a half to two hours total to formulate my masterpiece. I was able to figure out out how to change the background color of my site, which was one of my questions last week. I have no clue how to put a picture of what I've created into my blog so I guess it will be a surprise (good or bad, probably bad) in class tonight. So I was able to use divs to insert pictures and text and all that good stuff. I used a 1 row, 3 column table to insert pictures as well. And instead of inserting a background color I inserted a picture for my site background. All of the pictures I used are from the internet though, not my own. All in all, this experience was a little less frustrating than the last but the prospect of creating a legitimate webpage is still overwhelming to me.
2: Elushika's Comment on my blog:
While she didn't suggest any changes for my blog, I would like to see if there's a possible way to resize my picture because Blogger resizes it (I assume because it's too big). Maybe this is something I could do in Photoshop.
3: Comments on other blogs:
I commented on the following classmates' blogs: Michael Goncalves, Ivana Morgan, & Kristin Cardo.
4: Reading Assignment-Fonts & the Web:
The average web surfer may not care what font they are reading when they visit a website. But this is a very important detail to many if not most designers. Typically, without web embedding tools, when someone visits a website the font would automatically change to a default setting on that particular computer and in most cases would not display the original font intended by that website's designer.
Well, such creations as WEFT (Website Embedding Font Tool) and sIRF (Scalable Inman Flash Replacement) are programs that are meant to allow fonts to travel with their webpages to different computer screens. The overall purpose of these tools is essentially to embed fonts into a webpage to ensure that people see that page exactly as the web designer intended for it to be seen. This is important because it allows designers to maintain their typeface of choice and not have to worry about it becoming all discombobulated once their site is out there for the world to view.
So I was able to create SOMETHING in Dreamweaver. I did not however attempt to recreate my blog, I sorta just created my own page (on graffiti) to experiment and see what I was capable of. It took me about an hour and a half to two hours total to formulate my masterpiece. I was able to figure out out how to change the background color of my site, which was one of my questions last week. I have no clue how to put a picture of what I've created into my blog so I guess it will be a surprise (good or bad, probably bad) in class tonight. So I was able to use divs to insert pictures and text and all that good stuff. I used a 1 row, 3 column table to insert pictures as well. And instead of inserting a background color I inserted a picture for my site background. All of the pictures I used are from the internet though, not my own. All in all, this experience was a little less frustrating than the last but the prospect of creating a legitimate webpage is still overwhelming to me.
2: Elushika's Comment on my blog:
While she didn't suggest any changes for my blog, I would like to see if there's a possible way to resize my picture because Blogger resizes it (I assume because it's too big). Maybe this is something I could do in Photoshop.
3: Comments on other blogs:
I commented on the following classmates' blogs: Michael Goncalves, Ivana Morgan, & Kristin Cardo.
4: Reading Assignment-Fonts & the Web:
The average web surfer may not care what font they are reading when they visit a website. But this is a very important detail to many if not most designers. Typically, without web embedding tools, when someone visits a website the font would automatically change to a default setting on that particular computer and in most cases would not display the original font intended by that website's designer.
Well, such creations as WEFT (Website Embedding Font Tool) and sIRF (Scalable Inman Flash Replacement) are programs that are meant to allow fonts to travel with their webpages to different computer screens. The overall purpose of these tools is essentially to embed fonts into a webpage to ensure that people see that page exactly as the web designer intended for it to be seen. This is important because it allows designers to maintain their typeface of choice and not have to worry about it becoming all discombobulated once their site is out there for the world to view.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
