Can I Set Up My Website So Only Certain Users Have Access to Certain Pages?
Most of the more advanced online services that users have become accustomed to require a means whereby users can be differentiated from one another and given unique permissions. These permissions dictate which areas of a website the visitor can access, and which he can't. These sorts of Web pages are composed of components that work together to ensure that these systems run smoothly.
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Dynamic Web Pages
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Static Web pages are those that present every user with the same content. Most blogs are composed of static Web pages. This type of Web page is often used by simple websites that provide information. In contrast, a dynamic Web page provides individual users with customized content. This information can be anything from product recommendations, tailored advertisements, to news stories that were chosen based on the user's interests. Dynamic Web pages and the technology that make them possible use the Internet for such advanced functions as social networking, online banking and email.
PHP
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PHP, or PHP: Hypertext Pre-Processor, is a server-side scripting language that allows Web developers to create dynamic websites that address the needs of individual users. Server-side programming languages such as PHP are stored on the Web server as opposed to the user's computer. When the user's Web browser sends a request to the server, it is interpreted by PHP. It is a powerful choice for creating dynamic Web pages because it allows users to determine whether visitors should have access to the entire website.
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Login Systems
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Before individual visitors can be restricted from accessing the entire website, there must be a simple system in place for differentiating between them. Web browsers can store files known as "cookies" that identify users to servers, but the user can always delete these files. To solve this issue, PHP and other server-side programming languages allow webmasters to implement registration and login systems. This requires the user to associate herself with a particular username and password that the website's database can confirm.
Database
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Databases are the data centers of dynamic websites. Their tables contain important information that helps to identify individual users and stores information on their level of permissions. This is extremely important for restricting users from accessing every area of the site. Programming languages such as PHP contain commands that allow it to communicate with databases. When a visitor logs in to a website, PHP checks to see what content should appear in their Web browser, and which areas of the site that particular visitor can access. The most popular Web databases are MySQL, Microsoft Server SQL and PostgreSQL. These databases can be configured from within the webmaster's Web browser or through his own client applications.
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