Sams Teach Yourself CGI in 24 Hours, Second Edition

Data Storage for Content Publishing Systems

One of the big questions you face when you create a content publishing system is how to store the data associated with your site. Often, the site content itself is stored in a relational database. In Hours 18, “Working with Relational Databases,” and 19, “How to Use the Structured Query Language,” I explain how relational databases work, and how to use them for data storage with Web applications.

You can also use flat files for data storage on a Web site. In Hour 14, “Creating a CGI-Based Message Board,” I explained how to create a message board for your Web site. All the message board content was stored in formatted text files and rendered using a CGI program.

Rather than developing your own file ...