Connecting to Databases
From Metamorphosis
Preamble
The purpose here is provide some guidance to people who want to connect Metamorphosis lessons to a database. Unfortunately some of the information that is here is necessarily technical in nature and, as a result, you may need advice from your IT specialist or support personnel.
- Preamble
- Introduction
- Local Area Network
- Web Server
- Mph.DB
- Populating the Database
- Hosting Your Lesson on the Web
- Testing Your Lessons
- Trouble Shooting
- Disclaimer
Introduction
If you are not using an Learning Management System (LMS) and you want to provide at least some tracking of users then you'll need a database in which to store information. This is not to be considered a substitute for (or a surrogate) LMS. Connnecting a Metamorphosis lesson to a database will not provide the level or granularity, reporting or control that's close to what the typical LMS provides.
For even simpler tracking you could consider using the Metamorphosis / Settings / Management / Enable emailing of notifications option to email results from a standalone project.
Connecting a Metamophosis lesson to a database is creating what is oten referred to as an application (or a web application if the lesson is hosted on a web server).
A web application needs the following software:
- A web server
- An application server that works with your web server
- Note: In the context of web applications, the terms web server and application server refer to software, not hardware.
- To use a database with your application, you require the following additional software:
- A database system
- A database driver that supports your database
Web hosting companies often offer plans that let you use their software to test and deploy web applications.
To use a database with a web application, the web application must be able to connect to it.
To connect a Metamorphosis lesson to a database you have two options, depending on where or how your lessons will be accessed:
- If the lesson(s) and the database will reside on a local area network then you may use the LAN-based option.
- If the lesson(s) and the database will reside on a web server then you may use the Web-based otpion.
Disclaimer
Unfortunately, Apixel cannot warrant and does not represent that the material which appears here is complete, current, reliable and/or free from error. Apixel also cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense you might incur as a result of the use of or reliance upon the materials which appear here.
