First time design question

Hey

I am just wondering if someone can give me a basic idea of the tools I need to create the following app:

Im creating a web app where a page will query a database on a server and retrieve some information. The information can contain X number of rows. The client can then perform a number of operations (sorting, filtering, etc) with the data. The data can then be changed and resubmitted to the server.

NOTE: When the client is performing the independant operations (sorting, filtering, etc), I want these operations to be done locally, without the help of the server.

I was thinking that the data can be sent via xml, and then the client can manipulate the data using local javascript. Is this possible? What tools do I need? I am new, so the more explanation the better. Thanks!!!

I think you may be opening a can of worms with this restriction and an even bigger one with the XML idea.

If you are new, I would suggest stickign with server side manipulation of data; that is, page refreshes after every manipulation (each of which is passed by variable in the URL).

But, if you must, use JS to do this. What you can do is load all the data into Jscript arrays and then manipulate from there (within the browser) - they key here is loading ALL the database data into Jscript arrays (perhaps an array of arrays where the parent array key value is the row ID of your SQL table) - this way you can create calculations based on the same logic with which you would perform the server side code.


A big Note though: IF your database is even mildly sizeable, this page will take forever to load, as your Jscript will be off the charts!

Hope this helps.