EXPLORING THE INTERNET, Article 8: Understanding Dynamic VS. Static Web Sites

Story by: Colophon Editor
December 7, 2007

Surfing the web opens up incredible possibilities for learning and getting things done. The websites that we favor and return to again and again offer us something we want. It can be simple textual information, or a product like software or a plasma TV. Most often the sites we find valuable include updated content, like a new article or the latest style electronic gadget. Sites like these are considered "dynamic". This is in contrast to sites that do not change frequently. They are static websites.

A truly dynamic website changes its content by using a database. Websites connected to databases allow web site administrators to make quick updates by loading new content and sending it to the site. A well designed database system will also connect inter-related data (relational database), so that searching and collecting information is faster and more complete. The dynamic web site structure keeps the site interesting and it makes updates to design and features easier for programmers.

In the dynamic website environment, many hundred or even thousands of pages of information can be delivered using only one HTML page. The client requests certain information, and the database delivers it to the page. When the client requests different information, the database can "populate" the page with this new data. The page structure stays consistent and speed of the site is increased.

While some companies do not require frequent updates to their sites via a database, it is still a good idea for site owners to make some changes on a regular basis. Visitors to websites expect some dynamic features. Without new content, a business website can start to look like a faded billboard. Websites that do not employ a database connection are a "static" collection of pages.