A client/ server system for interactive access to a national database on the internet

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a Client/Server prototype for the design, creation and interactive interfacing for a national database on the Internet World Wide Web (WWII}. Interactivity on the Web is achieved through an HTML form that collects information (query criteria) from users and via a link to a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) script on a server, processes the information and returns the result. This dynamic website facilitates medical practitioners and biomedical researchers throughout the world, to build queries online and helps in getting a near comprehensive account-of the topic of search. System design considerations include: systems analysis & planning, data capturing, subject indexing, selection of database management system (DBMS) and database creation; development of a user-friendly search interface; creation of the Web Site; and connecting the database with the Web Server. Users are provided with a copy of the national database's home page by furnishing the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the Web Site. The search interface is p dynamic link and the database is searchable online. The bottom line is that users are able to access the database for search and retrieval from any part of the world at the cost of a local telephone call.