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On several of the Simpson websites, visitors are offered the ability to request printed catalogs, but many users were entering erroneous information into the input form. A means of forcing users to verify their information was requested. A secondary problem was also identified: Each of the Simpson websites offered printed catalogs; each of the websites had its own catalog order forms; and in each case the catalogs' information was hard-coded into the form pages. The code maintenance required when catalogs were added or updated was a recurring issue -- and it was multiplied when a catalog was listed on more than one website. To solve the first problem, an ASP page was created to redisplay the information input by the user in the order form. The user must then verify that it is correct before sending it on to Simpson's literature fulfillment department. The second issue was slightly more complicated. It was decided to utilize a database which would hold the current catalog numbers and descriptions, along with a set of fields indicating to which website each item belonged. The new order page was designed to connect with and retrieve the catalog information from the database. The code then generates the list of catalogs which are available from a specific website. Now, when a catalog is added or updated, one simply adds or updates a record in the database. No tedious changes to the page code are required. As part of the solution I consolidated the redundant order pages which were performing exactly the same function on each website. A single order page was created, which is programmed to assume the look and navigational features of the website context from which the user arrives. View the simpsonanchors.com catalog order page View the strongtie.com catalog order page Note: These websites have since been revised by my successor.
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2002-2004, Ed Wrinkle. All rights reserved |
