A database is the backbone of any website. Modern websites are dynamic and use a wide range of database sets to ensure that the right information is made available on demand. Whether you are an experienced web developer or a newbie who has no previous experience, Wix offers a free website builder platform that makes it a breeze to create a full-fledged, feature-rich website using simple tools. Wix Code is a new innovative solution from Wix that allows you to create a powerful website with a large database. It simplifies the entire process, making web development easier for everyone ranging from an expert to a novice.
Features of Wix Code
Wix Code simplifies the process of building web applications and versatile sites. You can do so much using the simple and server-less coding. Create and set up your site’s database collections, add custom forms, use APIs to communicate with external data sources, and create websites containing a large volume of useful content.
At the same time you can create the design elements using Wix Editor. All the elements you create are search engine friendly. Some of the main features of Wix Code include:
- Create database without any limitations on size
- Custom interactions using JavaScript code
- Easily collect user inputs and submissions
- Internal & external APIs
Although Wix Code has many interesting features, on this article we are going to focus specifically on database creation. Generally, a website’s database comprises of different sets of collections and each collection is like a data table. A row stands for an item and a column a field. This means that each item will have multiple fields.
How to Start with Wix Code?
The steps involved in using the new tool are as follows:
- Click on Wix Editor
- Click on Tools
- Click on Developer Tools
Turn on the ‘developer tools’
Wix Code helps you simplify advanced functionality. You can set up just one design style and create hundreds of webpages while updating content in a single click. You can repeat layouts and add single grid/list layout that automatically updates with all the content in the database. You can create applications forms, review sections, quizzes and collect data.
The following guide provides you an insight into how Wix Code allows you to create a site with a large database.
- Edit Collections: Use the ‘Site Structure’ sidebar for creating your collections. Each collection will have a Live and Sandbox version. The Sandbox version is edited within the ‘Content Manager’ from Wix editor. The live version of the data is edited in the ‘database app’.
- Calculated Fields: This is another must-have field type for that delivers data to your dynamic pages. It features calculated URL relevant to the dynamic page. What makes dynamic pages unique is that each item features a unique URL. In the case of dynamic category pages, different items will have the same URL, and you can edit them in order to make them unique. It is not allowed to edit the content within calculated fields.
- Primary Fields: Primary field is an integral part of all database collections. This field can be identified by the ‘lock’ symbols alongside the field name. Even though the Title Field is the default primary field, you can also set any text field to be primary. The application of the primary field is that values from this field are used when filling information in a reference field. It is not essential that the primary field have unique data, it is best to keep it unique.
- Regular Fields: All fields within a collection have Field Type, Field Name, and Field Key. Field Type is what determines the data type that can be added to a field. You can select the field type when adding a new field form within ‘content manager’. The different data types include Text, Reference, Image, Number, Rich Text, Document, Date and Time, Boolean, and URL. Field type is used to connect your webpage elements with the fields in your database collections.
- System Fields: All database collections will have default system fields that cannot be changed or hidden. These fields are: ID, Date Created, Last Updated, and Owner. The ID field value is allowed to be set when you add items using Data API. It cannot be edited after that.
Wix Code also has a Permissions section, and essential one, that allows you to control who can have how much control over interaction with your data. It allows you to set permissions on a per collection basis.
Conclusion
Thus, Wix Code allows you to create your own website featuring a database with unlimited size. It is easy to use as long as you understand the basics of database. The Wix Editor allows you to handle the design aspects. It provides a step-by-step guide that takes you through the entire process. And anyone with basic IT skills can use this free website builder.
