Replace Server Behaviors with DMXzone Extensions (Part 1)

From the server to the client with DMXzone extensions

Client-side development is becoming more and more popular, as a client-side developer who is responsible for the markup, you want to have full control over your templates. Although some applications might work well by letting the server generate all the HTML, many applications can be enhanced by integrating client-side data binding that dynamically converts JSON data returned from the server into HTML.

In part 1 of this article series we'll show you the huge difference between Dreamweaver Server Behaviors and the technologies that DMXzone extensions use. Below you can see the comparison between the technologies used by the deprecated Dreamweaver server behaviors and DMXzone's extensions - HTML5 Data Bindings and DMXzone Database Connector PHP/ASP/ASP.NET.

We strongly suggest you to use DMXzone Server Connect - the new generation tool for visual server code generation and full replacement of the old server behaviors, check the online manual - so you can see how easy to use it is!

Check also all the parts of this article series of how easy it is to switch from Server Behaviors to Server Connect, read part 1, part 2part 3 and part 4

Features

Database Connection vs. DMXzone Database Connection

Deprecated: Dreamweaver Server Behaviors

For PHP development, Dreamweaver only supports the MySQL database system and MS Access, MS SQL Server and Oracle for ASP.

Note: The code, generated from the server behaviors uses MySQL API, which is deprecated as of PHP 5.5.0, and will be removed in the future.

New: DMXzone Database Connector

For PHP developments, DMXzone Database Connector supports MySQL, PostrgeSQL, SQLite, SQL Server and SQL Server Native, and Access, Access ODBC, MySQL ODBC, ODBC File DSN, ODBC System DSN, SQL Server, SQL Server Express for ASP. You can also choose a custom database type form both PHP and ASP.

Note: In order to connect a custom developed database you can always enter your custom connection string, which follows the syntax for PDO, if you're using PHP, or ADO if you're using ASP.

The available ASP.NET database types are Access ODBC, Access OLEDB, MySQL ODBC, ODBC File DSN, ODBC System DSN, SQL Server and SQL Server Express.

Recordset vs. DMXzone Database Source

Deprecated: Dreamweaver Server Behaviors

You can create a recordset without manually entering SQL statements.

New: DMXzone Database Connector

The built-in connection wizard allows you to connect to your database easily and get your data the Ajax way. It comes with full support for wide range of well-known databases and uses specific adapters for each type database so that it can use the native power of the database without bothering you with weird SQL syntax!

Repeat Region vs. HTML5 Data Bindings Repeat Region/Repeat Children

Deprecated: Dreamweaver Server Behaviors

Repeating regions enable you to control your page layout by repeating certain items, such as a catalog item and description layout, or a row for data such as a list of items.

New: HTML5 Data Bindings

In order to repeat any HTML element on your page you can use repeat region and also to repeat the children of any parent-child structure (for example ul>li) you can apply the repeat children option to the parent.

Recordset Paging vs. HTML5 Data Source Paging

Recordset Paging / first/prev/next/last vs. HTML5 Data Source Paging options + data.show/data.hide attributes

Deprecated: Dreamweaver Server Behaviors

This set of behaviors lets you add links to jump to different records in a recordset.

New: HTML5 Data Bindings

With the HTML5 Data Bindings show/hide bindings attributes, you can decide when to show and hide regions depending on the data being available. With the Control HTML5 Data Binding behavior, now you can refresh your database source data by just moving to the next, previous, first or last page. Only the repeat region with the data will be refreshed and not the whole page.

Show Region vs. HTML5 Data Bindings Show/hide Region

Deprecated: Dreamweaver Server Behaviors

Use show region to control content that may or may not be displayed.

New: HTML5 Data Bindings

he HTML5 Data Bindings allow you to make a special conditional region of any data repeating element. Just select it and you will see, along with the repeat regions insert, you will have a show and hide region option. This way you can make a region visible or hidden when its data is available only. Very useful for example to show “No records found” message when there are no records.

Display Record Count vs. HTML5 Data Source Total Data Element

Deprecated: Dreamweaver Server Behaviors

Record counters display the total number of records returned, and the current records being viewed.

New: HTML5 Data Bindings

You display the total number of records returned and also the total number of pages that your records are split into. Also you can show the current page.

Dynamic Text -> HTML5 Data Bindings

Deprecated: Dreamweaver Server Behaviors

The data is rendered on the server and then is returned from the server as HTML.

New: HTML5 Data Bindings

The data is rendered on the client side and not on the server, using data bindings.

Lubov Cholakova

Lubov CholakovaLubov has been with DMXzone for 8 years now, contributing to the Content and Sales departments. She is bringing high quality content in the form of daily blog updates, reviews, tutorials, news, newsletters,update emails and extensions' manuals. If you have a product that needs publicity or any other questions about the entire DMXzone community, she is the one you can contact.

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