What is programming? Involves custom logic and dynamic data.
When is programming needed? - For projects involving interaction.
What is a database? - A digital repository for collected data.
General Web Design versus Programming
An informational website usually has no requirements for anything other than web pages where a business can display their information and images.
A project involving programming usually has two separate parts:
- the "front end" which includes information about your business, and images and text to explain what your company is all about.
- the "back end" where developers create a set of instructions that tell a computer system how to perform a given task.
When is programming needed?
The overall design that you see when you open up a website is referred to as "the frontend".
When you want different functions to happen, a programmer/developer's work is called "the backend".
When you want to administer the functions and be able to refer to all the information people have filled in, a programmer creates an administration panel to allow you to control everything.
When is a database useful?
A database is a system for storing and managing data, made up of both the physical hardware on which the data is stored and the software used to organize and control access to the stored data.
Examples of database usage:
- Calendar of events
- Payment systems which keep credit cards on file.
- Food ordering systems such as online ordering.
- Signups for a club
- A database to allow you to interact with users of your website.
- ... and so much more....
Division of Responsibility
Our project estimate is based on the time we estimate that the overall project will take. It is therefore very important for you as the client to make sure you tell us about everything you want to achieve. Whether it is a new concept, or it's based on an existing website to which we do not have backend access, you need to outline the steps - you don't need to know how to do it, you just tell us exactly what you want to achieve ("I want to be able to do this, and then this, and then this....").
In order to achieve this, before we begin a project, we will draw up a document that explains in writing all the functions you want to achieve, based on your explanation of needs, and include our estimate based on the information you have given us, on which all involved parties will then sign off.
We do understand that sometimes it's hard to know exactly what you need and you can't really figure it out until the project starts. No problem - we will give you a new estimate for the additional work for which you, as the project owner, will be responsible before we begin the additional work.
Programming is a very complex entity and glitches do arise. We will fix the issue at no additional charge.
