Creating an Integrated Database Application INFSY 445 Fall
Creating an Integrated Database Application INFSY 445 Fall 2005
Applications q Collection of interrelated forms and reports q Design of forms and reports – Primary interface for a user – Tailored to the needs of the user
Design Consideration q Human Computer Interaction (HCI) – Consistent interface • Keystrokes, icons, commands do same thing throughout application • Color, layout, structure
Design Consideration q User Control – Customization – Respond to user events q Consistency – Layout, design, colors – Actions q Clarity – Well organized – Vocabulary
Design Consideration q Aesthetics – Use color to enhance application – Culture matters q Feedback – Acknowledge changes of data – Signaling starts or end of an event
Design Consideration q Forgiveness – Anticipation and correction of errors – Confirmation on delete and updates – Backup and recovery q Design standard or template for team to follow q Review of application against template
Windows Interface q Window components – Frame (sizing) – Title bar – Control-menu box – Buttons • • • Minimize Maximize Close Scroll box (thumb) Scroll bar
Windows Menus q Menus – Drop-down • Short Cut Keys • Mnemonic character – Pop-up (as needed)
Message Box (A Simple Form) q Message Boxes – Title – Message – Simple buttons – Icons – Modal (required)
Interface / Accessibility q Multiple Input Methods – Keyboard – Mouse – Voice q Multiple Output – Visual – Sound – Color q Some Suggestions: – Beware of Red/Green – Avoid requiring rapid user responses – Avoid rapid flashing on the screen – Give users customization options • Volume • Color • Typefaces & Fonts
Uses of Forms q Collect Data q Display Query Results q Display Analysis and Computations q Switchboard for other Forms and Reports q Direct Manipulation of Objects – Graphics – Drag and Drop
Tabular Form q Works best for single table. q Designer can control data entry sequence. q Probably include buttons for sorting.
Single Row (Columnar) Form q Data for only one row. q Designer can set optimal layout. q Similar in appearance to paper q q forms. Can use color, graphics, and command buttons to make the form easier to use. Note the importance of the navigation buttons. Probably want a Find command. Useful to include subforms.
Sub-Forms q Typically a one-to-many relationship. q Subform contents are linked to the main form through a common column (not displayed on the subform. ) q Can have multiple subforms (Independent or Nested).
Switchboard Form q Blank Form q Graphics/Picture/Background q Identify User q Choose Task.
Creating Forms q Form should only attempt to update data to one table at a time q Display data from multiple tables – Linked forms – Subforms
Controls on Forms Label Drop down list or combo box Text box Last Name Clothing Shoes Electronics Country Payment Method Credit Card Check Cash Option button List box Check box Options x Gift wrap x Gift card Monogram Sales Command button
International Attributes q q Language Character sets and punctuation marks Sorting Data formats – – – Date Time Metric v English Currency symbol and format Separators (decimal, . . . ) Phone numbers • Separators • International code prefix – Postal codes – National ID Numbers
Reports
Reports q Report usage/user needs. q Report layout choices. – Tabular – Columns/Subgroups – Charts/graphs q q q q Paper sizes. Printer constraints. How often is it generated? Events that trigger report? How large is the report? Number of copies? Colors?
Reports q Security controls – – – Distribution list Unique numbering Concealed/non-printed data Secured printers Transmission limits Print queue controls q Output concerns – Typefaces • Readability • Size • User disabilities – OCR needs
Report Types: Tabular
Report Types: Labels
Report Types q Column with groups.
Report Layout q Report Header q Page Header q Group Header 1 ² Group Header 2 ². . . ² Detail ². . . ² Group Footer 2 q Group Footer 1 q Page Footer q Report Footer
Report Layout/Common Use q Report Header – Title pages that are printed one time for entire report. q Page Header – Title lines or page notes that are printed at the top of every page. q Group Header – Data for a group (e. g. , Order) and headings for the detail section. q Detail – Innermost data.
Report Layout/Common Use q Group Footer – Subtotals for the group. q Page Footer – Printed at the bottom of every page--page totals or page numbers and notes. q Report Footer – Printed one time at the end of the report. Summary notes, overall totals and graphs for entire data set.
Report Computations q Query ²Same row computations. ²Extended=Price*Quantity q Report ²Group subtotals. ²Page and report totals. ²Mixed, e. g. , commission = rate * total ²Scope depends on location ²Group footer: subtotal ²Page footer: page total ²Report footer: report total
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