EMuWeb

We are currently (as of 2010) redeveloping all of our Web Services and it is recommended that the EMuWeb documentation in this section is only used as a reference by clients who already have EMuWeb installed. It is not recommended that any client attempt to implement EMuWeb as a fresh installation without first consulting us. For more details about our forthcoming Web Services, please contact EMu Support.

EMuWeb provides a web-based, query only interface to EMu. Using a web browser it is possible to search the collection and view listings and details about matching records. EMuWeb has been designed as a series of simple objects that web designers can use to create their own web pages as required. EMu provides a standard set of pages that may be used as an out of the box system, which includes:

  • A pre-built web interface providing web access to EMu.
  • A collection of dynamic Web Objects to assist in development of a custom website with EMu Query functionality.
  • A PHP class library and API toolset to assist advanced Web Developers.

Web Objects are simple, self-managing, components (PHP classes) that embed into standard HTML web pages. They instantly bestow the page with dynamic functionality. No programming experience is required but some knowledge of HTML layout is necessary.

Note: EMuWeb was developed with server-side scripting using the PHP (Hypertext Pre Processor) scripting language to build web pages dynamically based on the results of queries. PHP is the most popular cross-platform web scripting language. Information on PHP is available at http://www.php.net. PHP is available for all platforms supported by EMu.

The Web Objects provided with EMuWeb include query forms, results lists, and content display components. These components allow a website designer to quickly integrate powerful database search and retrieval into existing or new websites. The Web Objects handle all the complex database interaction and dynamic HTML generation. The look and feel of the objects can be modified, providing the designer with control over the website's appearance and behaviour.

EMuWeb caters for the needs of all organisations. The default pages provided with EMuWeb offer an off-the-shelf solution for basic access to the EMu collection: no site development is required. For organisations that wish to develop a custom website, or integrate EMu into an existing site, the Web Objects provided with EMu offer a vast array of pre-programmed building blocks. For organisations that have the development resources and want to utilise the full power of a dynamic web environment, the class library and API provided with EMuWeb offer a fantastic head start for any development effort.

If standard Web Objects do not provide the desired functionality or layout control, a developer with scripting experience can utilise the EMu PHP class library and API and develop customised objects or dynamic pages that interact with EMu's Texpress database back-end.

Terms Definition

EMuWeb default pages

A simple pre-built site providing basic access to the EMu collection.

Web Objects

A simple to use set of components that can be embedded in standard HTML pages (these are used in order to develop custom dynamic websites with no development effort).

PHP Class library and API

A set of development tools for advanced web developers.

EMuWeb may be installed on the same machine as EMu or it may be installed on a separate web server and access EMu via a socket connection. The installation notes in this section detail both the local installation (installed on same machine as EMu) and the remote installation (installed on web server machine different from EMu server).