Integrating Flash with SQL Database

By John Reuben

Since the arrival of the client/server architecture, and more so with the frenzy of the Internet, the technologies have boomed and reached levels of complexity that confuses even the most gifted computer professionals.

To better understand how systems work, it is generally accepted to divide them in three units. The first one is called the "presentation" layer, also known as the first tier. It allows you to view and input data. The second is called the "application logic" layer, also known as the second tier. It allows you to perform business logic and process or manipulate data. The third is called the "data" layer, also known as the third tier. It stocks, gives access, and organizes the data.

In ten years, we have leaped from the stand-alone workstation to the networked stations that allow sharing of files and peripherals. The client/server architecture evolved, allowing displaying and process information on the desktops while sharing a data server.

Yes Queue Yell!
SQL (Structured Query language) is the language of choice for most modern multi-user, relational databases. That is because SQL provides the syntax and idioms (language) you need to talk to (query) relational databases in a standardized, cross-platform/product way (structured).

Among other things, the language consists of statements to insert, update, delete, query and protect data. It has been implemented in many products such as dBase, Oracle and Sybase.

Flash movie is a vehicle
For the purpose of this topic, it's best to think of a Flash movie as a vehicle for gathering and displaying data. The Flash movie is similar to an HTML-based form in the way that it captures and forwards information. Learning how to use a database with Flash requires knowledge of how to create a form in Flash.

A Flash movie cannot communicate directly with a database-the third tier. However, Flash movies can "talk" to server-side applications-the second tier (also referred to as "middleware"). Middleware can query a database and relay data back and forth. There are many server applications available. Some of the most common are CGI, ASP, PHP, ColdFusion and Tango.

Integrating a Flash movie with a database on a server is the key to creating rich, platform-independent Web applications. For this process to work, a developer must know many aspects of Web application building - including Flash design, ActionScript, writing server scripts, and administering a database. The workload for creating this kind of delivery tends to fall on one person, and requires manual updating when necessary.

Flash form data can be inserted into a database
On the simplest level, a Flash form can take in user data via editable text fields. The Load Variables or GetURL actions can send the data (GET or POST) to the middleware, which will compose the data into the correct format that the database requires.

Data can be sent to the Flash movie from a database by middleware
Another popular use is to have a Flash movie's data contents read from a database. This strategy permits the database to be updated continuously. The Flash movie does not have to be manually changed.

A URL with query string data can be used to collect unique information from the database
A Flash movie can also receive database information that is customized exclusively to the user, based on events that occur while a user navigates through a site. One method is to pass parameters in a URL (known as the "query string") or from form data. The server script can pass those values to the Flash movie. This allows the movie to display contents that are dependent on what the user has done, or dependent on where the user came from.

Popular uses for this method include e-greeting cards, shopping carts and personalized pages where it is necessary keep track of a user's activities.

Typically, databases that are used for Web purposes include Oracle, Microsoft MSSQL and Access, FileMaker, MySQL, FoxPro and Sybase. These databases all use various protocols that work with server middleware. Some are meant for enterprise-level sites, while others are best suited for low-traffic sites.

Some common uses for Flash and database interaction include:

• Dynamic content

• Guestbooks

• Password protection

• E-commerce

• Web application building

• Personalization

Additional information
For more information about integrating Flash with SQL see the following links:

Flash and ASP Integration