Special Edition Using Microsoft® Expression® Web

Chapter 34. Primer on Data Access Technologies

<feature><title>In this chapter</title>

• A History of Data Access

• Data Access Technologies in Expression Web

• ASP.NET and Other Web Application Platforms

• Lagniappe: Databases Aren’t Just for Online Spreadsheets

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A History of Data Access

Over the past several years, Web sites have evolved into complex Web applications. As Web sites evolved, the consumers of those Web sites evolved as well. We expect more from our Web sites, and a large part of meeting that expectation is providing access to dynamic data.

Microsoft first introduced data access to mainstream Web developers in FrontPage 97 with the inclusion of IDC/HTX. While IDC/HTX allowed Web developers to create data-driven Web pages, it was a far ...