How are query results from a Web database application presented to a user?
The presentation of query results depends on the access method used. Using database gateway products and codeless interfaces often requires you to use template or report files to define the structure and layout of results presented to the user. Although many of these methods enable you to nicely format presentations for the user, they typically don’t provide the degree of flexibility offered by custom CGI programs. CGI programs, on the other hand, enable you to generate comprehensive HTML presentations from database query results on-the-fly. You have ultimate control over tasks such as these: • Additional data processing required • Integration of other applications • Creation of on-the fly graphics • Generation of form elements based on query results These presentations also can include a complex mixture of data types, including text, graphics, images, dynamically generated hypertext links, and other MIME data types such as audio and video.
