A Level Computing#BristolMet

Session Objectives U2#1

MUST identify the elements required for the design of an effective online data capture form

SHOULD create an effective design for a data capture form and determine the data requirements for the system

COULD Explain what is meant by Rapid Application Development with the use diagrams and examples.

A Level Computing#BristolMet

Key Words

Menu

Check Box

Validation Control

Radio Button

A Level Computing#BristolMet

Designing Solutions to Problems

A system is designed according to the following needs.

Data Input

The User Data Processed(The program)

The results are output

The following design problems need to be considered• The user interface – how data will be input and output• The data that is needed to make it work• How the data will be processed to make it work efficiently

User Interface

User Interface

A Level Computing#BristolMet

Designing a system

For a system to work effectively it needs to be user friendly, robust, efficient and have a satisfactory output.

Designing Input Screens & Data Capture Forms: The UI needs to consider these factors.• The User – who it is aimed at• Layout – the positioning of items around the screen/user area• Order – how the form/report should be completed/read• Validation – to prevent entry errors and standardise input• GUI objects – to make more user friendly/accesible• Help/Information – for instructions or further help

TASK: Review an online capture form and annotate it’s suitability using the following headings.

EXT: Think of different types of systems output and comment on the additional design considerations needed.

A Level Computing#BristolMet

Data Capture Form

TASK:

On paper design an form that could be used for a school MIS (Managed Information System) which among other things, produces termly school reports for parents and guardians.

TIP: It is useful to think of what would be desirable to have on the output report and then work backwards to design the input form.

You can create your plans on paper or electronically.

A Level Computing#BristolMet

Data Dictionary

When designing a program it is necessary to specify the data that is needed to run the program and how it will be stored.

Developer teams analyse this by creating a data dictionary which helps ensure the completeness and accuracy of the systems’ data requirements. Thinking of the input and output needs will provide most of this data.

The details included are:• The name (identifier) of fields or variables which will be used to contain

the data.• The data type or data structure• The size of the data (memory requirement)• Any validation that could be/should be used

TASK: Create a data dictionary table for the school system using the above bullets as column headings