Flash Web Design and Integrating Flash with a Web Database

Yes Queue Yell!
SQL (Structured Query language) is the language of choice for most modern multi-user, relational databases. That is because SQL provides the syntax and idioms (language) you need to talk to (query) relational databases in a standardized, cross-platform/product way (structured).

Among other things, the language consists of statements to insert, update, delete, query and protect data. It has been implemented in many products such as dBase, Oracle and Sybase.

Flash movie is a vehicle
For the purpose of this topic, it's best to think of a Flash movie as a vehicle for gathering and displaying data. The Flash movie is similar to an HTML-based form in the way that it captures and forwards information. Learning how to use a database with Flash requires knowledge of how to create a form in Flash (for versions 4.0 and upper).

A Flash movie cannot communicate directly with a database-the third tier. However, Flash movies can "talk" to server-side applications-the second tier (also referred to as "middleware"). Middleware can query a database and relay data back and forth. There are many server applications available. Some of the most common are CGI, ASP, PHP, ColdFusion and Tango.

Integrating a Flash movie with a database on a server is the key to creating rich, platform-independent Web applications. For this process to work, a developer must know many aspects of Web application building - including Flash design, ActionScript, writing server scripts, and administering a database. The workload for creating this kind of delivery tends to fall on one person, and requires manual updating when necessary.

Flash form data can be inserted into a database.
On the simplest level, a Flash form can take in user data via editable text fields. The Load Variables or GetURL actions can send the data (GET or POST) to the middleware, which will compose the data into the correct format that the database requires.

Data can be sent to the Flash movie from a database by middleware.
Another popular use is to have a Flash movie's data contents read from a database. This strategy permits the database to be updated continuously. The Flash movie does not have to be manually changed.

A URL with query string data can be used to collect unique information from the database.
A Flash movie can also receive database information that is customized exclusively to the user, based on events that occur while a user navigates through a site. One method is to pass parameters in a URL (known as the "query string") or from form data. The server script can pass those values to the Flash movie. This allows the movie to display contents that are dependent on what the user has done, or dependent on where the user came from.

Typically, databases that are used for Web purposes include Oracle, Microsoft MSSQL and Access, FileMaker, MySQL, FoxPro and Sybase. These databases all use various protocols that work with server middleware. Some are meant for enterprise-level sites, while others are best suited for low-traffic sites.

Some common uses for Flash and database interaction include:

• Guestbooks
• Password protection
• E-commerce
• Web application building

Additional information
For more information about integrating Flash with SQL see the following links:

Flash and ASP Integration

Related Links - Design Tools

Technology Dreamweaver Flash Ultradev Fireworks