1. A RESTful Approach to XML Integration
Author: Stephen Chambers
Advisor: Elizabeth Varki
Department: Computer Science
Background
Databases is a course offered to upper level undergraduate and graduate students in computer science.
The goal of this project is to integrate XML into the course’s curriculum.
The Represential State Transfer (REST) paradigm is used to guide the student assignment.
The Assignment
Create a client/server application to query a database through an Application Programming Interface (API) call.
The client sends an HTTP POST with XML containing query specific information.
The server queries the database using SQL and sends back XML containing the result.
Client
Tools Used
Flask: A web development Microframework written in python.
SQLite: An embeddable, zero configuration SQL database engine.
Network
Emulator
Server
Assignment Benefits
Why REST?
REST is a modern approach to teaching databases.
Knowledge of REST is very valuable in industry.
XML can be used to represent state.
Client POST
The assignment uses all of the technologies learned through the course.
The benefits of lightweight databases are easily seen.
Students learn why XML is not usually considered as a standalone database option.
Server Reply