IT430 Handouts Set 2 by VUBuddy

IT430 E-Commerce · `Short Notes` · Lesson `19 to 45` · ``With Key Points`` · By ⁺˚⋆｡Mʀ ֆɦǟɦɮǟʐ⁺˚⋆｡ · Lesson19 · MAINTAINING STATE IN A STATELESS SYSTEM

Stateless HTTP requires scripts or back-end development to maintain state in ecommerce transactions. To link different clicks/steps, programmers can use options like Registration information, item selection, and Confirm Order. These methods help link and maintain state among these steps.

1. Temporary File on Server:

•  Create a temporary file on the server side.
•  Code scripts behind each step (e.g., Register, Add to Cart, Confirm Order) to store information in the temporary file using a common ID.
•  At the end, the Confirm Order script can retrieve the information from the temporary file and store it in a database using an insert query.

2. Client-side Cookies:

•  Use cookies to store information regarding Registration and Add to Cart steps on the client side. When the user reaches the Confirm Order step, the cookies containing relevant information can be sent back to the server and stored in a database against a common ID.

3. Hidden Form Fields:

•  Utilize hidden form fields within HTML forms to maintain state.
•  For example, in the Add to Cart form, hidden fields can be used to store item names and codes/values.
•  When the user selects items and presses Add to Cart, a script can open a new page with a " Confirm Order" button.
•  In the new form, the item codes/values of the selected items can be present but hidden. When the user presses the " Confirm Order" button, a script can store the information of selected items in the database against the item codes/values present in the hidden form fields.

Example - Hidden Fields

<FORM NAME=" Form1">

<INPUT TYPE="CHECKBOX" NAME=" Check1"> Blue <INPUT TYPE="CHECKBOX" NAME=" Check2"> Green

<INPUT TYPE="CHECKBOX" NAME=" Check3"> White Silk Shirt.... <P> <INPUT TYPE="submit" NAME=" Go" VALUE=" Register!"> <INPUT TYPE="RESET" VALUE=" Reset!"> </FORM>

Another option is to keep everything in databases

•  Store information from each step directly in appropriate database tables.
•  Link the information using a common ID.
•  This option requires more resources and time compared to other methods.

The main purpose here is to provide you with a broad concept of how state can be maintained in a stateless system.

Client server architecture

Client-server architecture refers to a model where the processing and distribution of tasks are divided between client devices and server systems. It can be categorized into different tiers based on where the processing of data occurs.