Row source

A database query term.

Quite often a script needs to pull data out of a database and present it on the screen as a table. Each table row is derived from fields within the database.

That collection of fields is called the 'Row Source'.

For example a shop website will have some dynamic scripts written in PHP or ASP that query an online database for product information. Each row is then presented as a table row within a web page - but then interesting things happen...

Web designers will use their skills (successfully) to hide the mundane row source information into an interesting, creative format. Have a look at some of your favourite web shops - they will all be using 'Row source' as the data source - and yet every shop looks different!

Row source is a basic part of e-commerce and so it is important to understand should you want to enter this field of e-commerce as a developer.