JP3587512B2 - Website creation support system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement in technology for creating and updating websites, and in particular, unifies and easily manages a series of operations from creation of web data, preview of each website, and management of a public web server. It is like that.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the spread of digital network technology centered on the Internet, the demand for creating websites has been rapidly increasing. A website is a set of one or more web pages including hyperlinks, and each web page performs a document described in a subset of XML (Extensible Markup Language) such as html, or performs dynamic processing. It is represented by files such as programs and scripts, still images, moving images, and audio (referred to as web data in the present application).
[0003]
Various system configurations for creating such websites have been proposed. One example is the use of website creation application software called an authoring tool for each client terminal used by a user such as a personal computer, that is, for each local environment. This is an example of creating web data. In this example, the created web data is tested in a local environment, and then transferred to a public web server using FTP software or the like, so that the web data is released to the Internet with a predetermined domain name and IP address.
[0004]
Another example is known in which a test environment is provided by another test server configured in the same manner as the publishing web server, and web data that has been tested on the test server is transferred to the publishing web server and published. ing.
[0005]
Also, an example of implementing a website editing system on a server different from the publishing web server, creating web data using the editing function by the user, and transferring the created web data to the publishing web server Is also known.
[0006]
Further, there is also known an example in which a function for directly managing and editing directories and files is mounted on the public web server itself and the user is remotely operated. In this example, a part of the server management work is directly performed by the user, thereby improving work efficiency.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described conventional technology has a problem that it is difficult to unify and easily manage a series of operations from web data creation to testing and management of a public web server.
[0008]
That is, first, in an example in which web data creation is performed in a local environment, it is necessary to install an application such as an authoring tool for each client, and there has been a problem that labor and cost are high. Further, in this example, when a plurality of users share work, it is difficult for users to cooperate because work proceeds independently on each client terminal. In addition, commercially available authoring tools output HTML files containing specific formats and tags, such as dialects, for each type, so the web data depends on the environment, and the work of passing web data between users can be continued. Cooperation between users was also practically difficult.
[0009]
In addition, in order to create web data in such a local environment, a user needs to manage files from scratch, and there is a problem that it is difficult to create web data due to high technical hurdles. Some authoring tools have the function of managing the structure of the website, but application software users who are not proficient in computer technology, because not only the functions but also the operation methods and terms used differ depending on the product. Not only is it difficult for users to use, but also complicated for even experienced users.
[0010]
Also, in the example using a test server, it was possible to test web data with a different domain name or path name from the public web server, but in this case, only the test environment is provided to the user However, it is complicated in that editing and management cannot be performed easily.
[0011]
In addition, in an example in which a website editing system is provided on a server separate from the public web server, once the web data is transferred to the public web server for testing, the web data is transmitted to the Internet even if it is inconvenient. Because it is published immediately above, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform a sufficient test in advance.
[0012]
In addition, in the example where the functions of managing and editing files and the like are implemented in the public web server itself, the man-hours for implementation, cost, and burden on system resources are problematic, and the functions of managing and editing files and the like are disclosed. Because it depends on the environment of the web server, it may be a weak point in system reliability and security. Further, in this example, there is also a problem that the public web server can only manage and edit files such as templates arbitrarily registered on the system by a system administrator or the like, which is inconvenient.
[0013]
The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a series of operations from creation of web data, preview of each website, and management of a public web server. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a website creation support technology for unifying and easily managing websites, that is, a website creation support system.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is:The preparation of web data for publishing a website on the publishing web server, based on remote operation from a plurality of client terminals via a communication network, one website creation support different from the publishing web server In a website creation support system to be performed on a server for use, a test and transfer management unit accessible by a user from each client terminal, and each user and each user are stored in one independent website creation support server. A management system unit for managing created files and managing templates used by each user is provided. The test and transfer environment unit includes a user that can be independently used by a plurality of users from the client terminal. Create and edit web data in the area and this user area Means for previewing the web data created and edited from the client terminal, and a mirroring management unit for transferring the web data created and edited by each user to a public web server of each user. Includes a template database and template management section that can be used in common by all users, a database for managing each user, a database of files created by each user, and editing of file contents that can be commonly used by each user. And a unit is provided.
[0015]
In these embodiments, a server that supports a website creation support different from the production web server that is the production environment, and integrates functions of management, editing, preview in the test environment, and file transfer to the publication web server. By constructing a client type system, the following advantages can be obtained. First, in the website creation support server, an appropriate preview including the operation of the program and a physical backup are realized by providing a complete mirror environment in which the contents match those of the public web server. In particular, the validity of each file can be easily checked collectively by the preview. Also, advanced and flexible data and server management can be realized without depending on the public web server. In addition, regular updates that can be standardized and updates that require immediacy are edited on the website creation support server, and more advanced updates are edited in the local environment and transferred directly to the test environment. It is possible to flexibly select the work content corresponding to the work. In addition, the website creation support server is completely independent of the public web server, and only transfers the confirmed file to the public web server, so that no load is imposed on the public web server.
[0016]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the website creation support system according to the first aspect, a graphical user interface (GUI) is used for the remote operation related to the management, editing, and transfer.
[0017]
According to the present invention, an easy-to-understand visual operation using a GUI can be performed using general user-side software such as a web browser. For this reason, introduction is easy regardless of the type of personal computer or the OS which is a client terminal on the user side or the OS. In addition, the technical hurdle of remote control is reduced, and even an unfamiliar user can easily use it. Note that examples of the GUI include mouse click of an icon, selection from a combo box (list box), input to a text input box, and the like. User side software such as a web browser is also called a user agent.
[0018]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the website creation support system according to the first or second aspect, means for storing user information relating to user authentication and access authority, and one or more than one of Means for setting a use subject, setting one or more users for each use subject, setting an access right for an operation type and a target for each user, and controlling access based on the contents of each setting It is characterized by having.
[0019]
According to the present invention, by setting a plurality of users for each user such as a customer company and setting an access right for each user, a single website creation support server can provide a plurality of test environments, Fine-grained operation is possible, such as providing administrative authority according to.
[0020]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the website creation support system according to any one of the first to third aspects, a template that is a template of a web page is created, managed, and edited, and a web page based on the template is created. A means for creating the data.
[0021]
According to the present invention, by supporting the creation of a template and the creation of a web page based on the template, it is possible to increase the efficiency of operations such as adding and modifying fixed files. Of course, both creation and update of a web page based on a template and direct editing of an HTML file or the like can be compatible and used properly.
[0022]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the website creation support system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the prepared web data is transferred to the publishing web server based on predetermined conditions. Means are provided.
[0023]
According to the present invention, since the update can be automated by conditionally operating the file transfer function, the effort of managing the website is reduced.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as “embodiments”) will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. First, in the present embodiment, a website creation support system (hereinafter, referred to as "the present system") for supporting the preparation of web data for publishing a website based on remote operation from the terminal via the Internet. It is about.
[0025]
Further, the present embodiment is realized by controlling the computer with such a program, but in this case, the aspect of hardware and software can be changed as appropriate. Use functional blocks.
[0026]
[1. Constitution〕
First, FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the present system. That is, the system 1 is IP-connected to a terminal T such as a personal computer and a public web server W via the Internet (not shown). Further, the present system 1 has a management system unit 2 and a test and transfer environment unit 3. The management system unit 2 and the test and transfer environment unit 3 are virtually realized by different processes on a single server, or are realized on mutually independent servers on the same network.
[0027]
The management system unit 2 is a means for managing and editing web data by remote control from the terminal T. The test and transfer environment unit 3 stores data for each user including web data based on a hierarchical directory structure and provides a preview, and transmits the web data to a predetermined public web server W via the Internet. It is a means for transferring. It should be noted that the “preview” in the present application does not mean a conventional preview of a file to be edited in an authoring tool or the like, but a preview of a website.
[0028]
Further, the website creation support system 1 includes an HTTP / CGI function unit 4, and the management system unit 2 and the test and transfer environment unit 3 provide a graphical user interface for remote operation related to management, editing and transfer of web data. (GUI). In other words, the HTTP / CGI function unit 4 uses the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and the Common Gateway Interface (CGI) to access the remote operation from the user and display information such as information browsing and preview on the terminal T. This is a part that is performed by (GUI) using a web browser provided in.
[0029]
Further, the HTTP / CGI function unit 4 and the management system unit 2 constitute a means for previewing web data on the terminal T by remote operation from the terminal T. Note that examples of the GUI include mouse click of an icon, selection from a combo box (list box), input to a text input box, and the like. User side software such as a web browser is also called a user agent.
[0030]
Further, the management system unit 2 has a configuration shown in FIG. 1 more specifically. The user management database 21 is a means for storing user information relating to user authentication and access authority. In addition, the authority management unit 22 accesses user information stored in the user management database 21 so as to use the system 1 as a user of one or two or more companies (hereinafter, referred to as “client”). ), One or two or more users are set for each of the clients, access rights relating to the type of operation and target are set for each user, and access is controlled based on the contents of each setting. .
[0031]
The template management unit 24 is a unit that creates, manages, and edits a template that is a template of a web page, and creates a web page based on the template.
[0032]
The test and transfer environment unit 3 has the configuration shown in FIG. The user area 31 is a storage area for storing web data to be previewed and other data for each client or user.
[0033]
Further, the mirroring management unit 32 transfers all or a part of the web data stored in the user area 31 for each client or user to the public web server W based on predetermined conditions such as a predetermined operation and time. This is a means for performing a transfer process (referred to as mirroring or update transfer in the present embodiment).
[0034]
The file database 25 of the management system unit 2 is means for storing site management data such as the name and position of each file stored in the user area 31 for each client or user. Further, the file / directory management unit 26 is a part that performs management such as browsing, deleting, and modifying files and directories in the user area 31. The file content editing unit 27 is a means for directly editing individual files using a GUI of a web page or the like. The page processing unit 28 is a unit that performs processing such as addition, correction, and deletion in units of pages such as articles and topics defined by the template.
[0035]
Further, the system 1 includes an FTP function unit 5 that controls file transfer by FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The FTP function unit 5 performs a process of transferring a desired file such as an image or an HTML file edited on the terminal T from the terminal T to a desired directory in the user area 31. The FTP function unit 5 performs a process of transferring the web data in the user area 31 to the public web server W under the control of the mirroring management unit 32.
[0036]
[2. Action)
The present embodiment configured as described above operates as follows.
[2-1. Outline of action)
In the present embodiment, the web data can be managed and edited by the operation of the management system unit 2 based on the remote operation from the terminal T. The test and transfer environment unit 3 stores a file group for each client or each user based on a hierarchical directory structure, previews web data on the terminal T by remote operation from the terminal T, Is transferred to a predetermined public web server W via the Internet.
[0037]
Further, the management system unit 2 and the test and transfer environment unit 3 use a graphical user interface for remote operation related to management, editing and transfer of web data by the operation of the HTTP / CGI function unit 4.
[0038]
More specifically, when editing and managing web data, the user accesses the management system unit 2 of the present system 1 from a screen of a user agent such as a web browser provided in the terminal T to perform operations and the like. The result of such an operation is immediately reflected in a browsing environment such as a browser screen. All templates and forms for inputting data are stored in the user area 31 of the test and transfer environment unit 3 so that they can be accessed from the external terminal T.
[0039]
At the time of the preview, the preview file stored in the user area 31 can be directly browsed from the screen of the user agent. Further, at the time of update transfer to the publishing web server W, a target file can be selected and the updated content can be reflected on the publishing web server W. It is also possible to edit and add an HTML file or the like using a template, or to directly edit an arbitrary file by the file content editing unit 27. Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described more specifically.
[0040]
[2-2. Access authority management)
First, in the present system, one or two or more clients are set by the operation of the authority management unit 22, one or two or more users are set for each client, and the access rights related to the type of operation and the target are set for each user. The access to the present system is controlled based on the contents of these settings.
[0041]
That is, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a schematic process in the present system. As shown in FIG. 2, the logged-in user is an administrator of the present system 1 and an administrator on the client side (referred to as a client administrator). ) And the user (step 101).
[0042]
Of these, the administrator of the system 1 itself performs client management such as client registration and deletion (step 103) by performing operations such as displaying and selecting a client list (step 102). In addition, the client administrator performs user management such as registration and deletion of the user such as the employee or the person in charge of the client by performing operations such as list display and selection (step 104).
[0043]
At this time, the client administrator can set, as an access right, for each user, what kind of work among various kinds of work as described below can be performed for a range of directories and files. The client administrator also has all the user's authority, and the administrator of this system itself has all the authority as the client administrator and the user.
[0044]
[2-3. Editing files and directories]
The logged-in user can perform the above-mentioned type of processing with the authority set as described above. That is, in the site management (step 106), a status (attribute) such as "public / private / editing" can be set in units of sites, directories and files. 32 is not subject to update transfer.
[0045]
In the file management (step 107), processing such as browsing, deleting, moving, and renaming a desired file, and processing such as uploading through the FTP function unit 5 are performed on the desired file through the file / directory management unit 26. . In the file editing (step 108), the individual files are directly edited through the file content editing unit 27 using a text entry field on a web page or a text editor. In the directory management (step 109), processing such as creation and deletion is performed for each directory through the file / directory management unit 26. In the page management (step 110), management such as creation, correction, and deletion is performed through the page processing unit 28 in units of pages such as topics and articles defined by the template, that is, fixed files (step 111).
[0046]
For each file stored in the user area 31 for each client or user, site management data such as a name and a position in the directory is stored in the file database 25. Is reflected in the file database 25.
[0047]
[2-4. Processing related to template)
In the management of the template using the template management unit 24 (step 112), a template which is a template of a web page is created, managed, and edited. In the page management (step 110), the management of the web page based on the template is performed. Create, manage and edit. That is, in the management of the template (step 112), the categories of a series of pages to be created are created, corrected, and deleted (step 113), and when applicable, the dynamic pages (indexes and the like) are defined. In step 110), the created individual page is created, modified, and deleted (step 111).
[0048]
Here, the template is a prototype representing a web page pattern, and is a template for creating a web page by subscribing specific components such as character strings, sentences, and images according to a client or a website. . In the present system, components to be added to the template are input from a predetermined input form (called a form). (This combination of template and form is called a category.)
[0049]
Next, FIG. 3 shows a data flow diagram focusing on creation of web data based on a template in the present embodiment. That is, a category includes static content and dynamic content. The static content creates a single page, and the dynamic content is an index page or the like based on, for example, a title of each fixed page. Is automatically created.
[0050]
In the category creation (step 204), a directory structure for storing a series of standard pages and other formats are designated, and when the category is created, a template and a specific information content are added to the template from the template management unit. The input form is output and stored in the corresponding directory of the user area 31 (Step 205). On the other hand, for a static category, the creation of a standard template (step 206) and the output of a template and an input form based on the template are the same as the static category, but in addition, a table of contents template, that is, an index template is created (step 206). 207), and a template based thereon is also output.
[0051]
For example, to create a template for a product information page, for each item constituting the template, for example, “product name” is a character string, 20 full-width characters, enlarged font, right-justified, and “product description” is a character string of 200 full-width characters. Specify attributes such as characters, standards, their display position, form, etc. In this case, an input form including input fields for “product name” and “product description” and a template including “product name” and “product description” is output.
[0052]
For example, if the above product information page is created as a dynamic category with “product name” as an index item, the contents of the index page are linked from each product name in the product list to the corresponding product information display page. Web page.
[0053]
Both types of templates and forms can be freely modified individually (step 201). In addition, by specifying the items to be the constituent elements, it is possible to easily and automatically generate the information based on the prototype prepared in advance in the template database 23 using a GUI of a web page.
[0054]
[2-5. Data storage)
The template and the input form output as described above are stored in a predetermined directory for the template provided in the user area 31. When designing the actual web page, the data input to the input form (step 213) Is applied to the corresponding template (step 208), and specific data contents are added to output web data such as an HTML file (step 210). The output web data is stored in a predetermined preview directory.
[0055]
Prior to the preview of each site in the present embodiment, a preview similar to the conventional method may be performed on each output web page (step 209).
[0056]
It should be noted that once a category template is created, management of individual template page files, that is, template files, based on the template is performed through the page processing unit 28 (step 110). When a page is created or added (step 211) and an existing file is modified (step 212), specific information items, that is, data are input by an input form (step 213).
[0057]
As described above, the user area 31 of the test and transfer environment unit 3 stores not only web data to be previewed but also other data such as templates and forms for each client or user. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, HTML files and the like constituting web data are stored in a preview directory for each of a plurality of users (U1, U2,. , Templates, forms, and other data are stored in predetermined directories.
[0058]
[2-6. Edit and transfer on terminal)
When a file such as a template or a form in the user area 31 is externally edited and transferred again, the terminal T obtains the file directly from the user area 31 of the test and transfer environment unit 3 by browsing or downloading. After editing, it can be updated directly. That is, the acquired file can be updated by editing it with an external application such as a text editor or an authoring tool provided in the terminal T and uploading it again to the user area 31 by the FTP function unit 5.
[0059]
At this time, the FTP function unit 5 performs a process of receiving a transfer of a desired file such as an image or an HTML file edited on the terminal T from the terminal T to a desired directory in the user area 31 according to a user operation.
[0060]
[2-7. preview〕
The web data stored in the user area 31 in this manner is provided for preview by the terminal T with a URI different from the original URI in the publishing web server W by the operation of the HTTP / CGI function unit 4 (FIG. 1). Step 115).
[0061]
In particular, for the preview directory, a sub domain or a unique IP address is assigned to each user. As a result, for directories and file names specified by a relative path from the root directory in the web data, the relative positional relationship from the server's root directory becomes the same as when transferred to the public web server, and the complete A preview is realized.
[0062]
[2-8. Mirroring)
In the mirroring management (step 116), the user sets a schedule and a method for mirroring through the mirroring management unit 32. Here, an example of the schedule is a time when a predetermined operation is performed, a cycle, a time, and the like, and an example of the method is a batch or update only.
[0063]
Then, the mirroring management unit 32 issues a mirroring execution schedule (called a queue) according to the schedule specified for the client or the user according to the setting contents (step 214 in FIG. 2), and executes the mirroring. At this time, a necessary file, for example, an HTML file, an image or a program is confirmed from the web data stored in the user area 31 and transferred to the publishing web server W (step 215). At this time, the FTP function unit 5 transfers the web data in the user area 31 to the publishing web server W under the control of the mirroring management unit 32.
[0064]
In addition, for the web data in the user area 31, a public / private attribute indicating whether or not to transfer can be set for each file, and only the file for which the public attribute is set is transferred to the public web server. . In addition, the mirroring target may be designated collectively by attributes such as the creation date.
[0065]
Further, in addition to the above-described processes, the user performs, for example, log management (step 117 in FIG. 1) for setting a schedule and method for log recording.
[0066]
[3. effect〕
As described above, in the present embodiment, the present system 1 which is a server different from the publishing web server W which is the production environment is prepared and managed, edited, previewed in the test environment, and transferred to the publishing web server. The following advantages can be obtained by constructing a server-client type system integrating the above functions.
[0067]
First, in the present system 1, by providing a complete mirror environment having the same contents as the public web server W, an appropriate preview including the operation of the program and a physical backup are realized. In particular, the validity of each file can be easily checked collectively by the preview. In addition, advanced and flexible data and server management can be realized without depending on the public web server W.
[0068]
Further, regular updates that can be standardized and updates requiring immediacy are edited on the system 1, and more advanced updates are edited in the local environment and transferred directly to the test and transfer environment section 3 which is a test environment. Thus, it is possible to flexibly select the work content according to the purpose and circumstances. Further, the system 1 is completely independent of the publishing web server W and only transfers the confirmed file to the publishing web server W, so that no load is applied to the publishing web server W.
[0069]
In particular, in the present embodiment, easy-to-understand visual operations using a graphical user interface (GUI) can be performed using general user-side software such as a web browser. For this reason, introduction becomes easy irrespective of the model and OS of a personal computer or the like serving as the user-side client terminal T. In addition, the technical hurdle of remote control is reduced, and even an unfamiliar user can easily use it.
[0070]
In the present embodiment, a plurality of users are set for each use entity such as a customer company and the access authority for each user is set by the operation of the user management database 21 and the authority management unit 22, so that one user is set. The website creation support server can provide multiple test environments, and can provide fine-grained operation, such as providing administrative authority according to skills.
[0071]
In the present embodiment, the operations of the template database 23 and the template management unit 24 support creation of a web page based on a template prepared in advance, so that the work of adding or modifying a fixed file can be made more efficient. . Of course, both creation and update of a web page based on a template and direct editing of an HTML file or the like can be compatible and used properly.
[0072]
Further, in the present embodiment, the operation of the mirroring management unit 32 and the FTP function unit 5 allows the file transfer function to be operated in a conditional manner, so that the update can be automated.
[0073]
[4. Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but includes other embodiments as exemplified below. For example, the environment variables of the FTP directory and the server can be freely set according to the environment of the client or the user. Further, a plurality of users may be grouped, and access authority may be set for each group. In the user area, files other than those created by the management system unit 2 can be freely uploaded and managed by FTP. Further, the specific format of the template or the like is free, and for example, it is possible to cope with formatting by the ssi-include format.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a website creation support technology for unifying and easily managing a series of operations from creation of web data, preview of each website, and management of a public web server, that is, a website Since it is possible to provide a creation support system and method and a recording medium on which a website creation support program is recorded, creation of a website is made more efficient.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a schematic process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a data flow diagram mainly showing creation of web data based on a template in the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Website creation support system
2. Management system department
3. Test and transfer environment section
4: HTTP / CGI function unit
5 FTP function part
21 ... User management database
22 ... Authority management department
23 ... Template database
24 ... Template management unit
25 ... File database
26 ... File / directory management unit
27 ... File Content Editing Department
28 ... Page Management Department
31 ... User area
32 ... Mirroring management unit
T… Terminal
W ... Web server for publication

Claims (5)

The preparation of web data for publishing a website on the publishing web server, based on remote operation from a plurality of client terminals via a communication network, one website creation support different from the publishing web server In the website creation support system to be performed on the server for
In an independent website creation support server, a test and transfer management unit accessible from each client terminal to each user, management of each user and files created by each user, and creation of a template used by each user. There is a management system section that performs management,
The test and transfer environment unit includes a user area that can be independently used by a plurality of users from the client terminal, and creates and edits web data on the user area and creates and edits web data from the client terminal. A means for previewing, and a mirroring management unit for transferring web data created and edited by each user to a public web server of each user are provided,
The management system section includes a template database and template management section that can be commonly used by each user, a database for managing each user, a database of files created by each user, and a common use of each user. A website creation support system characterized by having a file content editing unit capable of being provided . 2. The website creation support system according to claim 1, wherein a graphical user interface is used for the remote operation related to the management, editing and transfer. Means for storing user information relating to user authentication and access authority, and by accessing the user information, set one or more users, and set one or more users for each user, 3. The website creation support system according to claim 1, further comprising means for setting an access right for an operation type and a target for each user, and controlling access based on the contents of each setting. 4. The web according to claim 1, further comprising means for creating, managing and editing a template which is a template of the web page, and creating a web page based on the template. Site creation support system. The website creation support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: means for transferring prepared web data to the public web server based on a predetermined condition. .

Images