Dynamic Data

Defined
Dynamic data creates web pages on the fly and plugs in the requested data on a page. Dynamic data comes from a database or similar source and when data is updated in the database it is instantaneously available for the web and will display if requested. Dynamic data can also be data that changes periodically without any user intervention after the data and the timetable for change has been established.

Using Dynamic Data
Dynamic data can be implemented on the smallest of sites. For example, many sites have a list of other sites of interest or links. As soon as a new link is added to the database, the website is updated. Having a catalog of press releases and a link to those documents is also a simple example of using dynamic data.

Expanding uses for additional features and functionality could include products and services entered in a database. Membership programs, autorequesters, search functions, job listings, even simple textual pages can be housed in databases and then automatically generate the most current data when a user requests that particular page.

As a matter of fact, this website is 95% dynamically driven. The navigation text is dynamic; we could add another section and wham, there it is. If you visit our site on different days of the week, you will see a different color scheme and some different graphics as well as some textual content in some areas. Think of the possibilities ! In the past, the expense of maintaining a website that changed frequently cost five times the original cost of design, or more. But now, with a dynamically driven site, you can create different designs for the same site right off the bat, and have them cycle over a time frame. Or, you can add another look to the cycle as needed. Your long term costs are reduced, and you have a very current website that attracts customers and has them coming back for more !