Databases
Recently, I've been doing a lot of work creating database front-ends for the web - in effect putting companies' databases online so that they, their customers and staff can interact with them in real time via browser. In some cases, they are merely straightforward table-based 'online spreadsheets' that simply display and sort data, and allow behind the scenes administration, but they can also be completely relational, pulling data from multiple tables and organizing it in unique ways.
My work is done in PHP with the ubiquitous MySQL database platform. These are powerful and robust tools, which when used together form the backbone of an incredible variety of applications from Content Management Systems (like
Subdreamer, which drives this site), to image galleries, discussion boards, and countless smaller-scale 'widgets'. While the sky's the limit in terms of database manipulation, my work is either project-specific custom design or the implementation of an existing script package that accomplishes a goal elegantly.