Reasons for choice:
I have chosen to use a database to help solve the problem. Databases can work with lots of information. I have chosen to use data power because it is easy to use for everybody and can have many different uses. Data power can link pages together by linking the pages, this means that one page can directly benefit another and change all the details. Also when fields are changed you can organise the database so that it automatically does things for you. For example you can add a word document that is produced when certain fields are changed. For example in the video shop if a video is overdue then a letter is automatically created and ready to be sent. Staff can be quickly trained to use data power as it is easy to learn and use, you will also find special one-day courses in data power that staff can complete, but experienced users can instruct new users very easily. It is easy to update information and show information in different ways. Data power offers many different uses and is useful for many different situations.
Input and Output:
Sorts and Searches:
Step 1- Go to query and schroll down to sort and then search. Then a search bar will appear at the top of the screen.
This will then appear at the top of the screen you can then type what you are searching for in the yellow sections bellow.
Type the name or addresses of a certain person or just get sections for a short list, such as all the misters for example.
Relationships:
Relationships between different fields are vital if the database is going to be used in a professional way. This way something written in one field can directly change the information in another. So sorts and searches can be more affective with the help of relationships. You can access the
Relationships page by going onto any field in edit mode. You can access the edit mode by pressing f5. When in edit mode you should click on query/table at the top of the page and then scroll down to relationships.
Validation and Verification:
We verified our work by printing our work off and checking it we then marked any mistakes on the paper and then modified the database. We then printed our work off again and tested it again and again if we found any more mistakes then we changed the work in database.
We validated the work by making sure that certain fields cannot take any more or less than they should. For example:
When using postcodes on our databases it won’t accept anything less than required.
This box will not accept more than seven letters or numbers, however if you wanted to add an entry for more than six letters or numbers you can add another slot for another letter in the edit process of data power and increase it for places like Dudley that has more digits.
Below is the script I wrote in by highlighting the post code in edit mode and then held down ctrl+t this brings up the scripts screen. This script will not let a postcode be longer than 7 characters, one being the space.
Testing:
To test my work I put a search for something that I knew the answer. So for example if you were to do a search for horror films you would expect to then see a list of horror films if you receive anything else then you know that you have done something wrong. So if I wanted a list of comedies I would go into my database then into searches and search for comedies.
The results should then be comedy films.
As you will see all the films above are comedies so the test was successful.
Complex Search:
To achieve a search of more than one field you should do a normal search of whatever you need and instead of adding one to your list add two or even more.
You then press search and check the results.
This is how you access more than one specification.
Evaluation:
I feel that my database has achieved its aim of enhancing the methods in the process of renting a video in a video shop. We made it quicker for the workers in the shop and the customers can no longer complain at the wait that the old system made. I also feel that the software was adequate and the staff would catch on to the new system quickly. The database is easy to learn and anybody with basic computer skills could use it.
I could improve my database by making it more user friendly. I could do this by making instructions and guides to find your way around the database. In some ways my database could be easier to use by adding these instructions to help workers around the database. I have already added a menu hyperlink at the top of the screen to quickly access the homepage of the database.
Datapower 2 has all the requirements available to complete a successful database and has been very user friendly to make for the video shop. It is easy to train people to use and it is quick to use and this will attract customers. Some of the other plus points of datapower 2 are the automatic things that datapower 2 does for you including writing letters and searches for names, addresses, and films etc. Overall I was happy with the software and the database I created filled all its requirements.
