WDB is a software tool-set that simplifies a lot the integration of
Sybase databases into the Worldwide Web. WDB lets you provide WWW
access to the contents of Sybase databases without writing a single
line of code !
In that respect, WDB is the logical evolution of the ESO/ST-ECF/CADC
STARCAT database interface towards the graphical user interface world
and multi-platform availability. The multi-media aspect of the WWW is
also well suited for a migration of STARCAT functionality to the
Web (PreView, multi-database server access,...).
The interface between the WWW server and the database only consists of
the WDB script written in Perl (augmented with Sybase access
facilities) and a set of high-level form definition files (fdf\),
each describing a different view on the database. WDB first creates
HTML query forms from the content of the fdfThen, with user's search
constraints, queries the database and finally presents the results back
in a new HTML page. WDB comes with a utility to automatically extract
information about a table from the database and create a working
template fdf·
A number of conversions are possible on the data coming from the
database before they are shown to the user (e.g., coordinates into
hours minutes and seconds; dates, etc.) The unique feature is the
possibility to convert data from the database into hypertext links.
These hypertext links can address other elements in the database - so
providing a simple way of navigating between related
information. They could also be links to other documents on the Web -
therefore providing easy integration between data in the database and
related documents on the Web. Or it could be links to other databases
with a WDB or similar interface - hence providing a simple mechanism
for cross-database links.
The WDB script and various documentation are available on WWW at
http://arch-http.hq.eso.org/wdb/wdb/wdb.html