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web database question
- Thread starter mmt4331
- Start date
AIXSPadmin
MIS
When web development really started a few years ago almost all developement was static html pages, therefore, all one really needed was to know HTML. However, the internet and development has changed. Most large commercial sites are using backend databases to get information for their website, whether they are using large commercial databases DB2, Oracle, Sybase, Informix, or using free databases like MySQL or PostgreSQL, and they are using Java Application Servers like WebSphere, Tomcat, JBOSS to deploy that data. It is assumed that the developer knows HTML, because they will be using it in displaying info in JSPs.
Database programming, itself, is probably not needed, however, you will need to know database structures (tables and rows, etc.) and SQL (select * from customers where state equals CO and Date is > 1999... and so forth) to be able to develop an application for the web if it is using data stored in a backend database.
Database programming, itself, is probably not needed, however, you will need to know database structures (tables and rows, etc.) and SQL (select * from customers where state equals CO and Date is > 1999... and so forth) to be able to develop an application for the web if it is using data stored in a backend database.
![[roll1]](/data/assets/smilies/roll1.gif "[roll1] [roll1]")
- Thread starter
- #4
What do you need to know for web design? Obviously, HTML, JScript, but what else? Also, I'm currently getting paid nearly $60,000/yr in the mainframe world, but I hate it since the hours are crappy. I heard that design is usually about $30,000/yr. Is that true? Thx.
Tonya
CajunCenturion
Programmer
You certainly need to know HTML, and at least one scripting language, of which JScript qualifies, but there are many others.
With respect to the Database Backend, AIXSPadmin is essentially correct, its not really needed, but you do need a basic understanding of SQL and the applicable database structure. But you will need to know how your scripting langauge (whichever you choose) connects to databases and what tools is has for manipulation that database, and any database specific extensions and/or limitations to the basic SQL language. Good Luck
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As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein
With respect to the Database Backend, AIXSPadmin is essentially correct, its not really needed, but you do need a basic understanding of SQL and the applicable database structure. But you will need to know how your scripting langauge (whichever you choose) connects to databases and what tools is has for manipulation that database, and any database specific extensions and/or limitations to the basic SQL language. Good Luck
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As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein
- Thread starter
- #6
Thank you for your answers...but I have a couple more questions:
What do you need to know for web design? Obviously, HTML, JScript, but what else? Also, I'm currently getting paid nearly $60,000/yr in the mainframe world, but I hate it since the hours are crappy. I heard that design is usually about $30,000/yr. Is that true? Thx.
Tonya
AIXSPadmin
MIS
Are you talking about design as in layout and graphics? Then a knowledge of Photoshoop or Freehand or other graphic image software would be necessary along with HTML, JavaScript, Perl, etc. If that is design and not development, then I have seen that yes, design does pay around 30k. Are you willing to take a pay cut of 50%? I know what you mean by the lousy hours! I work for a Fortune 500 company as an AIX/SP admin and the weekends and pager rotation and nights and all is very abusive. They are now talking of eliminating our maintenance window and going 24x7 on all servers and possibly having maint done on Sunday early morning hours. Needless to say that would cause serious thinking.
- Thread starter
- #8
CajunCenturion
Programmer
Generally speaking, to try to draw lines between these three entities: (Other opinions are welcome)
A Web Designer is one who usually works with site layouts, graphics, and navigation methods.
A Web Developer is one who writes the code in one of the various scripting languages to provide application functionality, database ineraction, ecommerce, personalization, etc. to the site.
A WebMaster is one who manages and administers the site once its up and running.
Its not uncommon for one person to be wearing any one or all three hats at the same time.
With regards to salary, AFAIK, salary is dependant on which of the above categories you fall in, the market area (New York City will pay more than Topeka Kansas), the size of the company behind the site, and/or the revenue potential of the site, and probably a few other factors as well based on the education and experience of the individual. Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein
A Web Designer is one who usually works with site layouts, graphics, and navigation methods.
A Web Developer is one who writes the code in one of the various scripting languages to provide application functionality, database ineraction, ecommerce, personalization, etc. to the site.
A WebMaster is one who manages and administers the site once its up and running.
Its not uncommon for one person to be wearing any one or all three hats at the same time.
With regards to salary, AFAIK, salary is dependant on which of the above categories you fall in, the market area (New York City will pay more than Topeka Kansas), the size of the company behind the site, and/or the revenue potential of the site, and probably a few other factors as well based on the education and experience of the individual. Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein
AIXSPadmin
MIS
The way I see it is web design is like a graphic artist/designer who does the layout of what the page will look like (colors, font, etc), and web development I see as using java to get data from a backend database and displaying it on the web page. Of course there could be overlap between the two and most likely there is so you don't have to pay 2 people, but I think there is definitely a line between the two. One is concerned with layout (design) and one is concerned with data (developer). I would tend to look at it like one who develops GUIs (like using Visual Basic or Delphi) and one who develops the underlying engine (using C or assembly). And a webmaster must have knowledge of Web Servers (Apache, HTTP Server, etc) and HTML, JavaScript, design, etc. one who does it "ALL" in a smaller corp., but in a large corp. a webmaster would be one who oversees developers and sets policies, etc.
- Thread starter
- #11
If I am fluent in HTML, DHTML, Javascript, and let's say Photoshop or some other application like that...would I be prepared to be a Web Designer? That wouldn't be considered as development because then you would have to throw VB or JAVA in there as well? Right?
Tonya
AIXSPadmin
MIS
I would say you are correct in that statement, however, I would like to have someone who actually works in that area to say it is correct.
- Thread starter
- #13
Well, mmt4331 your current skill set is good for web design. I think you would also need to be able to use HomeSite, InterDev, ultraEdit or DreamWeaver to be able to put the sites together (do you have any experience in any apps like these).
A developer would need to know (perhaps not all) ASP, JAVA, ColdFusion, Perl, and how to connect with MySQL, MSSQL, DB2, Oracle, MSAccess. And how to manipulate the data both going into and out of the database.
But, the term designer and developer gets twisted. I've seen companies using both terms and asking for all of the above skills.
Plus sometimes the need to be able to manage IIS/Apache/WebSphere and create and maintain the Databases. I really hate it when they expect so much and then pay so little.
Money, well CajunCenturion is correct. You've got to prove yourself to get the money. And sometimes it may take years. But, if you can demonistrate your skills and are willing to pickup new languages then you should be compensated.
Good luck.
A developer would need to know (perhaps not all) ASP, JAVA, ColdFusion, Perl, and how to connect with MySQL, MSSQL, DB2, Oracle, MSAccess. And how to manipulate the data both going into and out of the database.
But, the term designer and developer gets twisted. I've seen companies using both terms and asking for all of the above skills.
Plus sometimes the need to be able to manage IIS/Apache/WebSphere and create and maintain the Databases. I really hate it when they expect so much and then pay so little.
Money, well CajunCenturion is correct. You've got to prove yourself to get the money. And sometimes it may take years. But, if you can demonistrate your skills and are willing to pickup new languages then you should be compensated.
Good luck.
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