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The showdb function provides you with a browser based method of editing and viewing your tame database files. These are the files with the *.tdb or *.tab extensions. Once you have created the database field names in a flat file, save the file as a space delimited (*.tdb) or tab delimited (*.tab) file within your mall or shop. The file can be in the a shop directory in the document tree or in the mirror directory located in the data and configuration directory. Reference the directory section section to see where these directories are located. The mirror directory provides additional security to protect your database from unauthorized access because the tame directory tree is not web accessible by the general public.
Showdb allows you to eliminate the need to copy files from one location to another after editing on a local machine. It also eliminates the need to use a text editor, spreadsheet or other database for data entry and editing. However, this functionality does not exclude the use of these other method. Often you may have special needs or use your database for multiple purposes and this functionality extends your options but does not restrict you.
Often the person entering the data in your database is web savvy. This features supports these individuals and allows editing of your site's pages to be more seamlessly integrated with your database editing process.
The remainder of this section will describe the showdb function in detail. You may also want to review the section on databases and data access for further assistance with the design and use of your shop databases.
Once your basic file has been created and saved you can access it through your browser. The show database function, showdb.tam, is a utility of the tame product. As with all utilities it is accessed using the !util/ command. For example:
http://yourdomain/yourshop/!util/showdb.tam
This will provide you with a password request which is controlled by the administrative password database. That is, those with administrative access to the shop also have access to this utility for all databases in the shop or the shop mirror.
The showdb feature is protected by a tame administrative password. These are the passwords set up during the installation of your system. In addition additional users and passwords can be added to shops or at the mall level for individuals needing access to the system. Additional passwords are added by the mall or shop owner.
Note: IDs and passwords can be added for a shop by entering the adminstration wizard at the following URL:
http://yourdomain/cgi-bin/tame/SHOP/!admin/access.tam
where SHOP is the shop where you wish to change access rights
Once the shop owner access this screen then can add, update or delete user access to the shop administration following the simply screens.
These pages will use the secure port if your shop have been set up to use a secure server. This functionality occurs automatically when the secure port if defined in the administration wizard.
Another level of security can be provided for your database by placing the database in the mirror directory instead of the shop or mall directory in the document tree. Because the mirror is not in the document tree, the general web user can not accidentally or intentionally gain access to your file. The design and placement of your database is discussed in detail in the databases and data access section of the manual.
Showdb is access using
!util/showdb.tam
at the end of the URL for the mall or shop location where your database is located. By restricting access by shop, you can control access more closely and ensure that your database stays accurate and secure. For example if you have two shops: houses and apartments with different owners the access would be as follows:
To access houses: http://coolshops/houses/!util/showdb.tam
To access apartments: http://coolshops/apartments/!util/showdb.tam
Each access would provide editing for only that shop's database and that shop's mirror.
Mall owners have access to the mall level databases at the root of the directory tree. For example, mall owner access can open showdb with http://coolshops/!util/showdb.tam to access a database at the root URL.
Above is the standard panel for show edit screen sample. Below is a discription of each field on this panel.
Table name and size: This drop down selection box provides a list of all databases available to the user, based on the URL used to access showdb, his id and password.
Show Table: Once a table has been selected, the user chooses this button to review the entire table. Also, once other options and filters have been selection this button is chosen to invoke the database request.
mirror dir / web dir: Selecting this toggle button will switch you between the databases located in the web directory (default) and the mirror directory tree.
Rows: You can select the number of rows to present.
Filter: Use this field to search for information within your database. The filter can be used in conjunction with the logic, boundary and first/last column to complete a pinpoint search. To search for multiple words, separate your items using a space.
Logic: The showdb feature provide for both AND (find all filters in each record returned) and OR (return records that include any of the filter items) filters.
Boundary: The search can be restricted to a WORD, STRING or KEY search.
WORD: A word search will return records where the filter matches an entire word within the search area.
STRING: A string search will return records where the filter matches any group of characters within the search area.
KEY: This will search the first column in the database which contains an unique value for each record. This search returns only the first match found based on the assumption that this column contains unique field values in each record.
First col/Last col: These two fields allow you to restrict the columns within which the filter will be applied. To search only one column both columns to the same number.
To complete a a detailed database search using showdb, use the following steps:
- Select a database to search
- Input the filter or search criteria
- Choosing the logic to use in the search (logic). that is search for item 1 AND 2 search for 1 OR 2.
- Choosing the boundary (STRING WORD KEY) across which to search for the filter item.
- Selecting columns in which to search for the filter (columns)
- Select show table
Below is an example of the records returned based on the following criteria:
- TABLE: panel.tab Select the table you wish to review or edit, in this case panel.tab
- FILTER: hardware In this example we want all items in the panel related to hardware, which is a word in the fifth field.
- LOGIC: This does not apply to a single word. The logic option is used when multiple search items are presented. Here we only have one item - hardware.
- Boundary: word We want the entire word hardware, not a string a letters that contain "hardware" within them.
- COLUMN: 5 only Because there is a field that contains the word we want, we make the first and last column 5 to search one column.
- Select show table to see the results below.
The database results present all the columns in the database in plain text format. These results can not be edited directly on the page. The first column is a hot link to the detail page of showdb that allows the row selected to be edited.
The detail page and the add record page have a number of similarities. The format is consistent and both are edit pages. First we will review the add record button, then look at the detail page. The add record button will present a blank data entry form containing all the database field in the selected table. For this database the following would appear:
From this page you can choose to enter new data and select add record to complete the addition. If you select cancel, you are returned to the record listing for the database.
The data section of the edit screen is similar to the add record. However this panel presents the current information in the record selected. You can edit or add information to the record using this screen. This is also an excellent way to review a record. If you do not want to make changes, you can choose cancel to return to the list of record. Once you have reviewed the record and/or made changes you can apply the changes using one of the following options:
apply: applies the changes and remains on the same record
apply/goto record: applies the changes and goes to the new record indicated
apply/next: applies the changes and goes to the next record.Note: This will progress only through the current records on the listing page. That is, if records are 21-40 are presented on the list, then the next will present record 21 after record 40.
The advanced panel provides additional functionality.
Return: This will return you to the database listing page.
Copy: You can copy the database on the left side to the database indicated on the right side.
Merge: You can use the merge feature to add the contents of one database to the contents of the database selected on the right. You should be certain that the column types and heading are appropriate to be combined.
Sort Database: This will allow the database to be sorted.
Delete all records: You can clear a database using this featured.
Repair Database: Attempts to correct some possible problems with the database.
Download Database: Sends the database back to your browser as a file download. Place the appropriate name in the save dialog box that pops up from the browser.
Create category db: Under development - part of the new browser based shop creation features.
Comment: I noticed that when I try to add a new record I can not add multiple lines of information which contain hard returns. Only the first line is recognized
Response: Yes, this is a problem sometimes. Unfortunately this is not a tame issue directly. Windows 95 & NT cut off anything after the first carriage return when pasting into a single line edit box. This is not just in web browsers, it is that way in all Windows applications that have single line edit boxes. Even Microsoft Access has the same problem. Under current technology, you can cut and paste one line at a time to the end of the single line edit box when I have to paste multiple lines, it is tedious, but it works. Another option at the moment is to put just a pair of quotation marks in the field and then add the record. Then, re-edit the record and tame will sense that there is a quote in the content of the box and turn it into a multiple line text box automatically. Tame does this because quote marks cannot be edited directly in a single line edit box so tame adjusts by converting to a multiple line box before sending back to the browser.
created: Katherine C. Davis
11/9/97
edited: Katherine C. Davis 12/2/97