How Do I? Take a database and make it into static pages?

In simple terms please!

[Bendy]

I've got a database, with a few fields, and a separate folder that contains corresponding images.

- is it possible to pull the whole thing together, and get "something" to code all the HTML I need to present the data, and pull in the picture, in the form of a static html page (so each entry is on it's own page)?

Coz I reckon sitting there and churning out page after laboriuos html must be able to be automated somehow?

[Birdman]

Sure, that can be done and is done by many. You'll need to design your HTML template that will display the database info. Then, you need to use a scripting language to pull the data from the db and save it to file. The most popular scriping languages are ASP and PHP, depending on what platform you are on.

Questions:

• What type of database is your info stored in?
  
• Do you have a host, or do you want to do this on your local machine?
  

[Bendy]

Thanks for the quick response.

The database in the one that comes with the Microsoft Office package (erm- I think it's called Access?)

Yep - I want the pages on my local machine initially - and I'll then upload to my server - coz as I am led to believe - search engine spiders are not too fond of dynamic pages, but love static pages?

[Imaster]

Bendy,

There are 2 ways to do this:

- One is as Birdman suggests. But the drawback to that method is it may be server intensive, in case of high traffic. i.e. everytime a request is called, it would involve activity by the script and database which could be hard on the server and specially not recommended if you are on a virtual hosting. It is more recommended for dedicated hosting.

- Another way to do this is to make a program using Visual Basic or Java and create static HTML pages on your local computer and then upload them all. The only drawback here is that you would have to re-upload them in case of minor/major changes in the content or design. However design aspects could easily be handled by using "include" files if you know how to do it.

I prefer the second method and have been using it since years.

[Imaster]

Ok, read your 2nd post.

VB and Access would be fine. However, you must know VB or java if you wish to implement it via the method I suggested.

However, I believe there are certain programs available which would allow you to provide certain configuration/settings with respect to your database and html template and create offline pages on your local computer. I clearly remember having done it that way once long time back, but it didn't provide for much customization and my requirement was very complex. But if your requirement is simple, thats a good way to do it, and best of all you don't need to know any programming.

Try a search for "Database to HTML conversion" [google.com] in Google

Computers > Data Formats > Conversion > Software [directory.google.com]

[Imaster]

Here's one: [filebot.org...]

[Bendy]

Cool - some useful info there . . .

Thank you