Database publishing
Encyclopedia
Database publishing is an area of automated media production in which specialized techniques are used to generate paginated documents from source data residing in traditional database
s. Common examples are catalogues, direct marketing, report generation, price lists and telephone directories. The database content can be in the form of text and pictures but can also contain metadata related to formatting and special rules that may apply to the document generation process. Database publishing can be incorporated into larger workflows as a component, where documents are created, approved, revised and released.
The basic idea is using database contents like article and price information to fill out pre-formatted template documents. Templates are typically created in a normal desktop layout application where certain boxes or text are designated as placeholders. These placeholders are then targeted with new content which flows in from the database.
This allows for quick generation of final output and, in case of changes to the database, quickly perform updates, with limited or no manual intervention.
Another model of database publishing is found in many Web-to-Print solutions where users browse templates from an online catalog (eg. Business Cards, Brochures, etc.), personalize the selected template by filling in a form and then view the rendered result. In this case the initial source of data is from user input, but it is captured in a database so that if the same user revisits the site later, they can resume editing where they left off. The form is then pre-filled from the database-stored variables the user entered before.
The main layout applications for this workflow are: Datalogics Pager, Adobe
FrameMaker
/ InDesign, QuarkXPress
, Xyvision and Arbortext Advanced Print Publisher
(formerly 3B2). Generally, these layout applications have a corresponding server version, which receives commands via web interfaces rather than desktop interaction. QuarkXPress Server and Adobe InDesign Server both take full advantage of the design features available in their respective desktop versions.
These applications make their broad spectrum of features available for extension and integration with vertical solutions, that can be developed either internally, through some form of scripting (e.g. JavaScript
or AppleScript
for InDesign), or externally, through some API and corresponding Developer Kits. Numerous developers have created complete or partial vertical solutions around the rendering capabilities of the server applications.
Other variants of Database Publishing are the rendering of content for direct PDF-output. This approach prevents manual intervention on the final output, since PDF is not (comfortably) editable. This may not be perceived as a limitation in situations like report generation where manual editability is not needed or not desired.
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
s. Common examples are catalogues, direct marketing, report generation, price lists and telephone directories. The database content can be in the form of text and pictures but can also contain metadata related to formatting and special rules that may apply to the document generation process. Database publishing can be incorporated into larger workflows as a component, where documents are created, approved, revised and released.
The basic idea is using database contents like article and price information to fill out pre-formatted template documents. Templates are typically created in a normal desktop layout application where certain boxes or text are designated as placeholders. These placeholders are then targeted with new content which flows in from the database.
This allows for quick generation of final output and, in case of changes to the database, quickly perform updates, with limited or no manual intervention.
Another model of database publishing is found in many Web-to-Print solutions where users browse templates from an online catalog (eg. Business Cards, Brochures, etc.), personalize the selected template by filling in a form and then view the rendered result. In this case the initial source of data is from user input, but it is captured in a database so that if the same user revisits the site later, they can resume editing where they left off. The form is then pre-filled from the database-stored variables the user entered before.
The main layout applications for this workflow are: Datalogics Pager, Adobe
Adobe Systems
Adobe Systems Incorporated is an American computer software company founded in 1982 and headquartered in San Jose, California, United States...
FrameMaker
FrameMaker
Adobe FrameMaker is a document processor for the production and manipulation of large structured documents. It is produced by Adobe Systems. Although FrameMaker has evolved slowly in recent years, it maintains a strong following among professional technical writers.- Overview :FrameMaker has more...
/ InDesign, QuarkXPress
QuarkXPress
QuarkXPress is a computer application for creating and editing complex page layouts in a WYSIWYG environment. It runs on Mac OS X and Windows. It was first released by Quark, Inc...
, Xyvision and Arbortext Advanced Print Publisher
Arbortext Advanced Print Publisher
Arbortext Advanced Print Publisher is a commercial typesetting software application. Specifically, it is a high-end print composition engine, and an Arbortext product made by the PTC...
(formerly 3B2). Generally, these layout applications have a corresponding server version, which receives commands via web interfaces rather than desktop interaction. QuarkXPress Server and Adobe InDesign Server both take full advantage of the design features available in their respective desktop versions.
These applications make their broad spectrum of features available for extension and integration with vertical solutions, that can be developed either internally, through some form of scripting (e.g. JavaScript
JavaScript
JavaScript is a prototype-based scripting language that is dynamic, weakly typed and has first-class functions. It is a multi-paradigm language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming styles....
or AppleScript
AppleScript
AppleScript is a scripting language created by Apple Inc. and built into Macintosh operating systems since System 7. The term "AppleScript" may refer to the scripting system itself, or to particular scripts that are written in the AppleScript language....
for InDesign), or externally, through some API and corresponding Developer Kits. Numerous developers have created complete or partial vertical solutions around the rendering capabilities of the server applications.
Other variants of Database Publishing are the rendering of content for direct PDF-output. This approach prevents manual intervention on the final output, since PDF is not (comfortably) editable. This may not be perceived as a limitation in situations like report generation where manual editability is not needed or not desired.
See also
- Desktop publishingDesktop publishingDesktop publishing is the creation of documents using page layout software on a personal computer.The term has been used for publishing at all levels, from small-circulation documents such as local newsletters to books, magazines and newspapers...
- Dynamic publishing
- Variable data printingVariable Data PrintingVariable-data printing is a form of digital printing, including on-demand printing, in which elements such as text, graphics and images may be changed from one printed piece to the next, without stopping or slowing down the printing process and using information from a database or external file...