ThumbsPlus WebClient - Architecture Overview Contents
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Purpose

This document describes the basic design architecture involved in connecting to a ThumbsPlus database and presenting its content to web-based users via Active Server Pages hosted under an Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) web server.

The reader is expected to have a working knowledge of ASP Server side scripting (using VBScript), client side scripting (using JavaScript), HTML and IIS 5.0 web server administration and back-end server security policy administration. Also, some knowledge of the various browser Document Object Models is crucial. Most importantly, the reader should have a fundamental understanding of the ThumbsPlus database schema and experience with Structured Query Language (SQL).

NOTE: The included ASP page source has been tested against Internet Explorer (IE5.0-6X).

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Frame Source Diagram
Thumbnail display frame source script that enumerates the requested path via the ADODB data source ands build a table of thumbnails. Calls WTGetThumb.ASP for each thumbnail to request the JPEG stream data from the data source. Simple frame source for the “Preview” pane frame. Calls WTPreviewFile.ASP to display the select thumbnail's file. The simple frame source for the "Preview" header GIF image and text. Graphics used: wtpreview.gif (optional: wt_tasks.gif). The server-side script with embedded HTML that reads the ADODB data source (specified by the "DSN" querystring variable) and creates the <DIV> or <ILAYER> based HTML folder tree with ONCLICK and HREF JavaScript functions to expand, collapse and show thumbnails. Graphics used: cl_drv_pt.gif, op_drv_pt.gif, cl_fdra_pt.gif (no thumbs), cl_fdrb_pt.gif (thumbs), op_fdra_pt.gif (no thumbs), op_fdrb_pt.gif (thumbs), wt_spacer.gif (1x1 spacer white). Frame source for the "Sort by" dropdown. Performs a refresh of the "Thumbnails" frame with WTThumbnails.ASP page passing the extra SORT & DESC querystring variables. Simple frame source to display the current DSN, VOL and PATH querystring contents. The simple frame source for the "Folders" header text. The main Active Server Page with HTML FRAMES (don't frown) that contains the Javascript folder tree frame, preview pane frame, thumbnail header frame (includes Sort by drop down & descending checkbox) and of course the thumbnail display frame.

This diagram shows the ASP pages involved in the the parent frame content. Each ASP page is coded to present the appropriate database content for its particular function in the web client interface.

Click on each frame in the diagram to read its functional summary text listed in the ASP Page Architecture table below.

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ASP Page Architecture

WT.ASP:

The main Active Server Page with HTML FRAMES that contains the JavaScript folder tree frame, preview pane frame, thumbnail header frame (includes 'Selected Types', 'Show' and 'Sort by' drop down menus) and of course the thumbnail display frame.

WTServer.ASP (non-visible):

The ASP frame source for the client/host access module interface.

WTHostVar.ASP (non-visible):

The ASP frame source for the client/host access module interface. Stores and retrieves settings to and from the host server..

WTToolBar.ASP:

The ASP frame source for the webclient toolbar.

WTFoldersHdr.ASP:

The simple frame source for the "Folders" header text.

WTFolders.ASP:

The server-side script with embedded HTML that reads the ADODB data source (specified by the "DSN" querystring variable) and creates the <DIV> or <ILAYER> based HTML folder tree with ONCLICK and HREF JavaScript functions to expand, collapse and show thumbnails. Graphics used: cl_drv_pt.gif, op_drv_pt.gif, cl_fdra_pt.gif (no thumbs), cl_fdrb_pt.gif (thumbs), op_fdra_pt.gif (no thumbs), op_fdrb_pt.gif (thumbs), wt_spacer.gif (1x1 spacer white).

WTPreviewHdr.ASP:

The simple frame source for the "Preview" header GIF image and text. Graphics used: wt_preview.gif (optional: wt_tasks.gif).

WTPreview.ASP:

Simple frame source for the “Preview” pane frame. Calls WTPreviewFile.ASP to display the select thumbnail's file.

WTPreviewFile.ASP:

Script source to open a requested file (local to the Web Server's network) via the "ADODB.Stream" and "Scripting.FileSystemObject" objects. Uses: ADODB.Stream: {Mode, Type, Open(), LoadFromFile(), Close()} Scripting.FileSystemObject: {FileExists(), GetExtensionName()}

WTThumbsOuter.ASP:

Simple frame source to display the WTThumbsHdr.ASP and WTThumbnails.ASP frames.

WTThumbsHdr.ASP:

Frame source for the thumbnail view header, containing the current data source path, 'Selected Types' dropdown, and the 'Show' and "Sort by" dropdowns. Performs a refresh of the "Thumbnails" frame with WTThumbnails.ASP page when any of the above are changed by the user..

WTThumbnails.ASP:

Thumbnail display frame source script that enumerates the requested path via the ADODB data source and builds a table of thumbnails. Calls WTGetThumb.ASP for each thumbnail to request the JPEG stream data from the data source.

WTGetThumb.ASP:

Simple ASP source to retrieve the requested thumbnail (JPEG stream) from the ADODB data source and binary write it to the browser output.

WTViewFile.ASP:

Script source to open a requested file (local to the Web Server's network) via the "ADODB.Stream" and "Scripting.FileSystemObject" objects. Almost identical to WTPreviewFile.ASP. Uses: ADODB.Stream: {Mode, Type, Open(), LoadFromFile(), Close()} Scripting.FileSystemObject: {FileExists(), GetExtensionName()}

WTNull.ASP:

The simple frame source for non-initialized frames. Allow for a <BODY> bgcolor to be set via the querystring variable: COLOR.
Example: WTNull.ASP?COLOR=FFFFFF

WTIncl.ASP & WTMinimal.ASP:

Group of global VBScript server-side functions for use by all ASP pages

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Known Issues
VBScript
(server-side):
  • No provisions have been made to handle off-line volumes or ZIP files as folders when accessing files via the Scripting.FileSystemObject and ADODB.Streamscript objects.
  • No provisions have been made to handle unrecognized file types (thoses not displayable by Internet explorer) when viewed in the "Preview" frame or "View Window" frame.
IIS5.0:
  • None.
IE5.0-6X:
  • None.

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Other Information
Access to the ThumbsPlus WebClient Newsgroup
Via Newsreader Via Web Gateway

See also: Release Notes and IIS Server Readme Notes for more information regarding server installation and site configuration.

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