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Computer Programming and Online Application Development

Static v. Dynamic Web Development

April 16, 2004 (23:38:15 EST)

Online these days means the web for most people. A web site is created from two types of resources; static resources or dynamic resources.

static resources - computer image files, text, audio and/or video recordings and other "fixed", "in place" or "unchanging" information saved as a computer readable file.
dynamic resources - data that is created and formatted on-the-fly by a computer program. The output of a database or other source of dynamic data, where the information has been
formatted by a computer program based on end user input, time, date, or other dynamic variables.

As a user, it is of little concern to you whether a web page's contents are static or dynamic, but as a web developer or online application developer, there is a world of difference -- one which opens up infinite possabilities.

You expect that when you click on a link, a button, or other ojebect on a web page, or when you fill in data in a form and press the submit button, that you will get "a web page" containing the information you requested.

Using cookies, user logging and tracking systems, javascripts, and any of the CGI scripting languages, a web page can be produced which is custom tailored to deliver content to the end user based on many factors.
This allows web developers to design a site that appears and functions differently based on who is viewing it,
when they are viewing it, or what they have entered for user information.


Most recent developments are done using PERL, PhP, Python, or C running on Unix/Linux servers.

For the Microsoft platform, developers have choices including .NET, .ASP and other proprietary MicroSoft technology.  While these technologies may be widely accepted, we find the MS solutions costly, difficult, and due to MicroSoft's strict licensing procedures a pain in the butt to deal with.

Using MicroSoft technolgy, you will be faced with a myriad of MicroSoft-isms, server crashes (if the server boots at all) and generally be a slave to MicroSoft's corporate policy and paid support systems.  Plan to open your wallet often and widely if you choose the MicroSoft route.

A plain vanilla server running Linux is capable of doing incredible things these days. Using the Perl programming language, or many of the other mentioned in this article you can handle 1000f the IT requirments of most small to medium sized companies. Internet, intra-net, messaging, email, web, FTP are simple.. adding voice, video and other media types is also possible with a bit more programming.

So, are you ready for a dynamic website?

Static Website PROs:

- consistent user interface
- minimal server hardware/software requirements
- low development startup costs
- little or no maintenence

Static Website CONs:

- limited content delivery
- limited statistics or useability feedback
- no interaction with visitors
- hard to rearange data

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