Unit 8 - Ecommerce

P1 – The technologies required for

e-commerce

Browsers:

Browsers allow you to view web pages on the computer. In the majority of cases, user interaction is needed to tell the browser what web site or specific web page to be viewed. One way this is done is via the browser's address bar. The web address, or URL, that is typed into the browser's address bar tells the browser where to obtain a page or pages from.

Features of browsers: Status bar, Address bar, Title bar, Toolbar Icons, Display Window, Scroll

Bars

Examples of browsers: Firefox, Safari, Opera, Google Chrome and most commonly Internet

Explorer.

What you need to describe about browsers

What are browsers and what do they allow you to do?

Explain some of the features that browsers have.

Explain some of the special features of particular browsers.

Web Authoring Software:

Web pages are normally written in HTML which is a code. Without the knowledge of this coding, it is possible for users to create web pages with the help of web authoring software. This software enables the user to develop a website in a desktop publishing format. The software will generate the required HTML coding for the layout of the web pages based on what the user designs. Typically, the user can toggle back and forth between the graphical design and the HTML code and make changes to the web page in either the design of the accompanying code.

Examples of these are Microsoft FrontPage and Adobe Dreamweaver, online web authoring tools are also available on sites like wix.com.

What you need to describe about web authoring software

What is web authoring software and what does it allow you to do?

Explain some of the features that web authoring software has.

Explain in detail one piece of web authoring software.

Database System

E-commerce sites usually have a database attached to them that holds the catalogue of products and customer records. For example an e-commerce site that allows users to sign in, will have a database that holds all the customers details. The database should link seamlessly so that the user is unaware of it.

Some organisations outsource the creation of their website, but retain control of the content of the database. This means if there is any changes need to be made, such as price changes, only the database needs amending and the organisation can do this themselves.

Answer These Questions

What is a database system and what does it do?

Give an example of a business and the kind of information they may store in a database system.

IP Addresses, Ports and Protocols

To make sure the data reaches the right location on a network, each computer is given a unique number, called an IP address. (Internet protocol Address). It is a set if four numbers each from 0 to 255. For example 145.2.78.255 would address a specific computer on a network.

A protocol is an agreed way of working also known as ‘hand shake’. If computers

don’t use the same protocol it becomes impossible for them to understand the data transmitted between them. This is similar to humans who speak different languages – unless they agree to speak to a common language, they will not be able to understand each other.

Ports connect protocols and IP addresses together each computer has several ports for data to pass through they are virtual so they cannot be seen. Ports are like doors each has a number to identify it and it can be opened or closed. They are some default ports, for example port 35 is usually for e-mail and port 80 is usefully for the internet, although these can changed. For a web server, it is good practice to close all ports that are not being used otherwise hackers can take advantage of open ports to get into the system.

Answer These Questions

Describe IP addresses, protocols and ports.

Explain why each is important.

Domain Names & Multiple name registration Domain names: It is important that a website has a memorable domain name.

If a site is easy to spell, remember and relevant to the business this will make it come to mind when users access the internet. Also a name that is different or odd may also stay in the mind of users.

Domain names are used in web addresses to identify particular web pages. For example, in the http://www.wix.com/btecictsharepoint/unit-2-computer-systems the domain name is wix.com.

Every domain name has a suffix, there are only a limited number of such domains.

For example: gov - Government agencies, org - Organisations (nonprofit).

Multiple domain registration: many businesses may not just have one domain name but many. The main reason for doing this is that if the user types the domain in incorrectly they will be directed to the correct website. Rival business will often try and buy domain names with similar names to big companies to try and reach a wider target audience.

Answer These Questions

Explain what a domain name is.

Give some examples of suffixes and what they are for.

Describe why having a memorable address is important and explain some examples.

Explain why sites use multiple domain registration and give examples of the domains used by a business.

Browser and Platform Compatibilty

Examples of browsers: Firefox, Safari, Opera, Google Chrome and most commonly

Internet Explorer.

Examples of platforms: Mac, PC, PDA, Mobile phone, ipad.

To reach the largest target audience possible websites need to be accessible on as many browsers and platforms as possible. Using W3C we can check the compatibility with other browsers and platforms. Web developers should design to meet the lowest specifications available, otherwise potential customers may be excluded from purchasing products and so the business can lose potential profit.

Answer These Questions

Explain why it is important for a website to be accessible to more people.

Research W3C and explain how it makes sites more compatible.

Assignment 1

Complete the relevant slides on the template for P1:

Describe the technologies required for e-commerce.

Format to be Assessed:

Why e-commerce? Powerpoint – Technology section