Access to the database is available through a range of methods:
Each of these methods has its, own strengths and weaknesses.
This requires access to a system that holds a copy of the database locally and a copy of the database software. This method provides access to all of the features of the database software, but not the value-added features of the other interfaces. This can be difficult to setup and maintain, and is not recommended for most users.
Using special versions of the database software, it is possible to use the database data from a remote site. This method has the advantage of avoiding the problem of data synchronisation, but is slower than using a local data set. It does however allow access to most of the features of the database software.
Note: at this time, the Windows and UNIX versions of this system are not compatible.
These are traditional form based web access methods. They have good support for database browsing and can support cross-linking to external data sources. However many of the more sophisticated abilities of the database software are not available. Most of the missing capabilities are related to the built in analysis tools available in the ACEDB software, and should not affect most users. There is also the issue of speed. These interfaces can be very slow, although they do their best to be as quick as possible given the limitations of the medium (AceBrowser seems to have the edge here).
Note: these are the database interfaces used on the public mirrors of BrassicaDB.
The platform independence of Java and its availability in most modern web browsers makes it ideal for the next generation of web interfaces. However while Java is a standard many of the current implementations do have flaws. Most of the currently available interfaces avoid this by being quite simple and using a common subset of the Java specification.
CITA actually only provides a way of accessing the databases and has no user interface of its own, however there are client programs which use this method to access the database and present their own user interfaces. At the moment this method is still under active development, and does not yet contain some of the features from the more mature access methods.
A general CITA client. Available in application or applet forms. Supports most of the ACEDB query system and some of ACEDB's display's. Also has support for custom built Java displays.
Note: Database access using GFace is currently only available from BrassicaDB at JIC and the JIC Biological Information Server.
Generally you will not use methods 1 & 2, and they are only mentioned here for completeness. So we will concentrate on the web methods, and the interfaces they provide. So let's go look at them...
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Last modified: Mon Dec 4 14:25:32 GMT 2000 |
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