Are the many good dynamic features for database free websites?

Forum Moderators: phranque

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Are the many good dynamic features for database free websites?

Sgt_Kickaxe

7:17 am on Jun 6, 2010 (gmt 0)

I'm looking for ways of improving a dynamic but database free website that can store content/images in files but not in a database (hosting issue).

Every page on the site is actually the same page displaying content from various sources with a price comparison feature that "does the math" right there on the page. It also "does the math" on a performance report based on what options a user chooses. As far as code goes it's pretty slick and speed is not an issue but it doesn't feel complete without... more features.

User reviews without a database?
User ratings without a database?
Social media interaction without a database?

You get the idea - basically no data can be stored (besides images via the php copy command) and watever is added must be called upon with a file include so it can't be overly complicated. Any suggestions on what to Google ?

phranque

8:44 am on Jun 6, 2010 (gmt 0)

not sure exactly what your restriction is but perhaps if you look for a flat file database solution you'll get what you need.

tangor

9:07 am on Jun 6, 2010 (gmt 0)

Flatfile is the way to go, php or perl. Response will be determined on size of files and server speed. Shouldn't be a problem, however both work pretty good these days.

physics

5:36 pm on Jun 6, 2010 (gmt 0)

Consider using SQLite

- Zero-configuration - no setup or administration needed.
- A complete database is stored in a single cross-platform disk file.
...

[sqlite.org...]

rocknbil

6:50 pm on Jun 6, 2010 (gmt 0)

You get the idea - basically no data can be stored

Where would you put
User reviews
User ratings
Social media (comments, posts, etc.)

?

lammert

4:19 am on Jun 7, 2010 (gmt 0)

For many people database is synonym with SQL, but it isn't. You can build an SQL free site, but still have a fancy database system behind it. WebmasterWorld is running that way for example. You could store information in flat files without any indexes, or use some linkable database system. PHP has a module for dBase compatible storage (don't know if it support indexes) and the Berkeley database could also be an option. If you want easy integration and portability to other systems, an XML database may be the right choice for you.

damon_cool

6:28 pm on Jun 8, 2010 (gmt 0)

Just because your current host doesn't support databases doesn't mean that you can't use on on another host. Hosting plans that include a database are pretty cheap these days.

I'm not sure how you can do reviews or ratings without a database, but for social media there are a few widgets/badges out there that make it easy for visitors to link (like) content on the web and have it appear on the social network(s).