SNC ESL Database System Paul Mc Enaney Spring

SNC ESL Database System Paul Mc. Enaney Spring 2010

Project Description

Previous System(s) Access 2000 Database Non-normalized / “dirty” data Difficult to use Roster issues CSCI 330 Version Stronger database design Good starting foundation

Older Systems Access 2000 CSCI 330

Project Goals Redesign Mostly the ESL Database done in the CSCI 330 version Upgrade ESL Database to Access 2007 Develop a client application in C# Focus on easy retrieval of information Emphasis on rosters and grades

Solutions Data. Grid. Views to present information Quick search for students Edit classes at the roster level Not possible in the previous system Remove Better “incremental indexes” from DB enforcement of referential integrity

What didn’t get done… Application support for all database features Student tests Student pickups Support Easier for database path changes addition of students to rosters

Approach Start the application from scratch Highly modular design Easy for a later project to improve upon the code/design Rapid prototyping, and frequent meetings with the client Edit/Refine the prototype Only throw away irreparable parts

Demonstration

Learning and Development

Strategies Think before you code Does fixing this break something ELSE? Don’t procrastinate If you find a better way, go back and fix it Understand WHY things work Google EVERYTHING You’ll find lots of “better ways”, some work

Concepts /*Documentation!*/ Modular. Code(& Efficient TESTING); Code If it doesn’t have to be in a loop, don’t put it in a loop Handle Errors

Future Direction Editing/Adding Data to rosters input could be simplified Support more features already included in the database Maintenance Edit feature database lookup tables Edit database file path

A Word to the Wise Calm down – we were ALL scared Eating and sleep are IMPORTANT Take breaks – stress will hurt your life Start Early, test often Write down brilliant ideas Fix that “one more thing” tomorrow, when you’re actually awake and coherent

Questions