Using a form creation service

We used a class roster file to illustrate three-tier applications. It took all day to develop, debug and document that application using Active Server Pages (ASP). It consists of six ASP pages which are documented here. Building the application required some knowledge of ASP, Visual Basic, and SQL.

I implemented the same application using the form creation service at Zoho.com. It took me less than an hour to learn to use the service and implement the roster application. I needed no knowledge of programming -- it was similar to building the application using a simple database management system like Microsoft Access. Note also that the service-based application has powerful features like data export, access control and report sorting that are missing in the bare-bones ASP version.

The advantages of using a service to create this application are abundantly clear, but there are still questions. Will it scale -- how would it perform if we had an application with thousands of records and dozens of forms and views? Will Zoho continue offering this service -- can I count on it as part of my course curriculum? What will they charge for large databases? Would they be better off implementing their service using a file service like Amazon S3?

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on unofficial pages of California State University, Dominguez Hills faculty, staff or students are strictly those of the page authors. The content of these pages has not been reviewed or approved by California State University, Dominguez Hills.