Specification
The Specification for the database is
- It must Store all the Details of Cars Properly, we can test if it does this, when we try to access car details, if it does not work we can correct it.
- It must be able to be altered and updated with ease (e.g. add or delete stock etc) I can test this by entering test data when it is completed.
- Allow for A search of the data base for specific cars e.g. A make or Price Range, this can be tested by, again entering in test data.
- It must be User Friendly. I can check this by getting a friend to use the system, if they can use it anyone can!
Design
(See next sheet)
Hardware Resources
As buy-a-motor does not own their own computer system they will have to purchases all the essential Hardware. This Includes
- A Monitor, to see the information, so that it can be changed and constructed. A 15 ½ inch will be suitable, if it is a flatscreen it will save space
- A Key Board, To enter in the data and information
- A CPU (central processing unit), so that it can be put on to a PC. A floppydisk could also be used as a storage device
- A Mouse, not essential, but it will make some of the work a lot easier.
- A Printer, so that they can give information out to people
An Internet connection would also be convenient, as they can send files much faster than Snail Mail.
Software Resources
Buy-a-motor will also need to purchase some software, these will include, but not be limited to
- Microsoft Access, for the database to be on
- Microsoft word, for writing out letters to clients
The software needs to be able to
- To save information so that it can be retrieved for later use.
- To be able to print off data, so that it can be sent to potential clients.
- Alter Data so that new cars can be added
- Inform someone when they have made a mistake (validation rule, etc)
- To be able to get sent via email to clients.
Microsoft Access can do all of the tasks, very efficiently. It is also available on the school network. To run these programs you would need a Windows operating system, preferably windows 98,2000/ME or XP.
Data Input Form
(See next sheet)
Data Structures
Fields like Surname and Car Registration are important. If they are not filled in the car details could be effectively ‘lost’. The key field should be the Registration No because it is Unique, this will ensure that there will be no duplicate copies.
The fields that need to be filled in are:
- Surname, to identify the owner.
- Area, to know where the car is.
- First name, to identify the owner.
Fields which can be left blank are:
- Second Telephone Number, If the is Already a first telephone number i don’t need to know the second
My database can now
- Reject invalid data, such as an incorrect phone number. This means that people can be contacted if there number is a Mistake
- Produce lists of the cars through a query, such as requesting a ford or red car.
- Add new records so that people can sell and buy cars
- Delete records so that when a car is sold or unavailable people cant buy it
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Evaluation
I will now talk about my database and how it is supposed to work:
The Specification for the database is:
- It must Store all the Details of Cars Properly, we can test if it does this, when we try to access car details, if it does not work we can correct it. At first my database would not store details of cars correctly because the input boxes were incorrect (text is number etc). I corrected this and it can store details now. I entered 27
Details in to the data base, this could be transferred by email or 3 ½ inch floppy disk, so they could store 1000’s of cars on their database.
- It must be able to be altered and updated with ease (e.g. add or delete stock etc) I can test this by entering test data when it is completed. This is very important that the database can do this. I can enter new data and it is easily done if people know a little bit about MS Access
- Allow for a search of the data base for specific cars e.g. A make or Price Range, this can be tested by, again entering in test data. My project managed to do this but it is not very user friendly, people would struggle with the queries.
If I were to do my project again or improve on it I would add an easy input screen, so that people who don’t have knowledge of access can use the database.
The data capture form is very easy to fill in and is not to demanding, for less intellectual people
