Term Paper

Subject Name Analysis and Design of Information System

Subject Code CSE 302

Submitted to Prof. Dinesh

Submitted ByJivtesh Singh Ahuja Roll No - R277B53 Class - MCA 204 Section 277 Reg. No. - 10812519

Acknowledgement

This is to certify that I Jivtesh Singh Ahuja student of M.C.A. section 277 Roll No. R277B53 has made this term paper. Under this term paper we are given different topics. This term paper could not have been written better without Prof. Dinesh who not only served as my supervisor but also encouraged and challenged me throughout my academic program and patiently guide me through the process, never accepting less than my best efforts. I also want to thank to my classmates for encouraging and supporting my academic efforts.

Topic
- Tolls for Prototyping -

Table of Contents

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a b c d e f g h

Content

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What is a Prototype?

Advantages of prototyping
Tools for prototyping
Fourth-generation languages Application generators Screen Generator Data Dictionay System Personal computers Library of Reusable code Visual Basic PSDL

References

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What is a Prototype?
A prototype is a working system-not just an idea on paper that is developed to test idea and assumption abour the new system. Like any computer based system, it consists of working software that accepts input, performs calculation, produces printed or display information, or performs other meaningful activities. It is the first version or iteration of an information system. The design and the information produced by the system are evaluated by the users. This can be effectively done only if the data are real and the situation lives. Changes are expected as the system is used. The prototype is actually a pilot or a test model; the design evolves through the user. If use of the sale prototype system reveals the entering customer name and address through a portable terminal creates too many error, designer may modify so that only the customer are necessary; the address can be automatically retrieved from the file stored in the system. Although the prototype is a working system, it is designed to be easily changed. The information gained through its use is applied to a modified design that may again be used as a prototype to reveal still more valuable design information. The process is repeated as many times as necessary to reveal essential design requirements. In general system analyst find the prototype to be more useful under the following conditions: 1. No system with characteristics of the one proposed has yet been constructed by the developers. 2. The essential features of the system are only partially known. 3. Experience in using the system will significantly add to the list of the requirements of the system should meet. 4. Alternate versions of the system will evolve through experience and additional development and refinement of its features.

Advantages of prototyping
There are many advantages to using prototyping in software development some tangible, some abstract. Reduced time and costs: Prototyping can improve the quality of requirements and specifications provided to developers. Because changes cost exponentially more to implement as they are detected later in development, the early determination of what the user really wants can result in faster and less expensive software. Improved and increased user involvement: Prototyping requires user involvement and allows them to see and interact with a prototype allowing them to provide better and more complete feedback and specifications. The presence of the prototype being examined by the user prevents many misunderstandings and miscommunications that occur when each side believe the other understands what they said. Since users know the problem domain better than anyone on the development team does, increased interaction can result in final product that has greater tangible and intangible quality. The final product is more likely to satisfy the users desire for look, feel and performance.

Tools for prototyping

Efficiently using prototyping requires that an organization have proper tools and a staff trained to use those tools. Tools used in prototyping can vary from individual tools like 4th generation programming languages used for rapid prototyping to complex integrated CASE tools. 4th generation programming languages like Visual Basic and Cold Fusion are frequently used since they are cheap, well known and relatively easy and fast to use. CASE tools, like the Requirements Engineering Environment are often developed or selected by the military or large organizations. Object oriented tools are also being developed like LYMB from the GE Research and Development Centre. Users may prototype elements of an application themselves in a spreadsheet. Using the right tools is essential to the success of the prototyping. The various tools used in prototyping are: 1. 2. 3.
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Fourth-generation languages Application generators Screen Generator Data Dictionary System Personal computers Library of Reusable code Visual Basic

1. Fourth-generation languages:
Fourth generation languages includes a broad range of computer languages with the amylases on what is to be done rather than on how to perform a task. Program specification is developed at a much higher level than with the third generation language such as COBOL, FORTRAN and BASIC. Higher Level refers to the non procedural characteristics those in which the programmer does not have to specify each step to complete a processing task. Computer processing can be performed with a fraction of the instruction that would be required to perform the same work in the third generation language usually one tenth of the instructions are needed. (How ever it should be noted that some fourth generation language include both procedural and non procedural element allowing programmers to balance ease of programming with the efficiency of operation).

The three category of the fourth generation language includes non procedural language, queries and retrieval languge and report generator. a) Non Procedural: The language with which analyst and end users work is non procedural. Some times the language is termed the front end. A single command (e.g. SORT, SELECT, LOCATE) performs a complete function. It is not unusual to find that a command in a non procedural language replace the equalvant of over a hundred instructions. In a third generation language such as COBOL. Non procedural language is typically embedded in the query and retrieval language and report generator. b) Query and retrieval languages: Query and retrieval languages or simple query language facilitate the retrieval of stored data without the niceties of writing lengthy procedural instruction of specifying data format. They permit user to pose question- queries in English- like of tabular formats. For example- In examining the performance of sales in an organisation the query may be posed: List company sales by region for the years 1986 to 1991.

The system retrieves the data needed to answer the response from the files or the data bases associated with the program and presents an answer to the user. It must perform the following steps: 1. Sort data by year and region. 2. Prepare a total for each region. 3. Present the result in the understandable format. However the user need not be concerned with these steps, they a performed automatically when the query is entered. (Retrieving the same information using third generation languages could require more than hundred instructions to produce the same result. The analyst would also have to make all the decision about how to present the data). Some language in this category also allow user to enter data and update files or the data bases. c) Report Generator: they also permits user to easily extract data from existing file or databases. Full or partial records are extracted. In comparison with query and retrieval language report generator give user a greater control over the appearance and content of the output. Results can be presented in a report format content of the output. Result can be format i.e. establish automatically by the software or the user can provide specification that instruct the system to prepare customized titles for the report, page description and column headings Typically individuals want summary total about categories of the activities in the form of total and subtotals. When using third generation languages programmers must specify not only what total to be produced but also how to calculate and present them. Report generators require only that users specify the field on which the sub total should be prepared, the software works out the procedure automatically. Other arithmetic and the logic operations such as suppressing and repeating data can also be handled automatically.

2. Application Generators:
A new class of software called also Application definition software or application generator enable users to rapidly build lightweight, animated simulations of another computer program, without writing code. Application simulation software allows both technical and non-technical users to experience, test, collaborate and validate the simulated program, and provides reports such as annotations, screenshot and schematics. As a solution specification technique, Application Simulation falls between low-risk, but limited, text or drawing-based mock-ups (or wire frames) sometimes called paper based prototyping, and time-consuming, high-risk code-based prototypes, allowing software professionals to validate requirements and design choices early on, before development begins. In doing so, risks and costs associated with software implementations can be dramatically reduced. Non procedural languages, query and retrieval languages and report generator are output oriented, theprepare printed and display report. In contrast application generators are software generators that permit the specification of an entire application at a very high level. They provide the capability to develop the application that accept the input validate data perform calculation and follow complicated processing, logic, interact with file and produce report and output. Some applicator produce source code and some produce entire program. Others call program generators prepare part of the program code such as individual modules and allow a user to link other module into those produce by the generator. Program generators are special form of application generator

Data Dictionary entries

Data and specifications

User enter description of what processing is to perform

Application generator determine how to perform processing

Executable source code produced by application generator

Workstation

Central Processing unit carries out task

Function Performed by the application Generator

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3. Screen generators:
Also commonly used are screen generating programs that enable prototypes to show users systems that don't function, but show what the screens may look like. Developing Human Computer Interfaces can sometimes be the critical part of the development effort, since to the users the interface essentially is the system. Software Factories are Code Generators that allow you to model the domain model and then drag and drop the UI. Also they enable you to run the prototype and use basic database functionality. This approach allows you to explore the domain model and make sure it is in sync with the GUI prototype. Also you can use the UI Controls that will later on be used for real development. The manner in which the user interact with an application critically closely examined by the end user. If arrangement of the information on the display screen is awkward or dramatically different from that to which user are customised they may avoid using the system From the point of view of development the creation of display screen layouts is one of the most time consuming and error prompt areas. It includes the task of arranging headings instructions and data fields on a computer display and establishing the procedurals from accepting data entered through the keyboard into the system while at the same time showing the keyboard data on the display A screen generator is an interactive facility for painting screen and performing automatically input validation and processing by responding to prompts or by entering simple one word commands. One can select preferences for highlighting the information making blocks using colours or using reverses video. Screen generators are also allow user to automatically prepare components that assist the user to machine interaction including location of data entry fields, data display fields and column headings labels and massages.

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4. Data dictionary system:

They store definitions and description of the data used in an organisations information system relying on those definitions is beneficial in prototyping because it saves time. Analyst need not determine the appropriate descriptions but can use from the dictionary. In addition if a full function system is later developed using the prototype as a model it is based on standard organisations definitions. Some dictionary system are also offer features similar to those contained in application generator.

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5. Personal computer:

The feasibility of a particular design might be verified on computer other than the final production system on which the design will actually run. This may occur because the system is too heavily used to be made by the development work. The protype can be created on different machines, such as personal computer to verify the system design. When the protype process is completed the final system can be developed on the actual production machine Often personal computers software can be used to develop prototype application. End users who interact with a system through a workstation are not concerned with the nature of computer connected to the terminal. Their interaction is through the keyboard and by means of the information displayed on the screen, and for them that is the system. Thus the keyboard on a personal computer will be identical to one found on the mainframe or main range computers. The same holds for the computer screen, font style, character size and colour option. With these similarities it is often feasible and desirable to develop display screen that will run on personal computer allow user to evaluate the arrangement of the data and the suggested screen.

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6. Libraries of reusable code:

Many organisation encouraging the creation of the program libraries containing individual modules of code. Typically the module were develop for use for other system and if the modules are reusable such a library can be a valuable prototyping tool .Selected reusable code modes can be retrieved from storage and modified if necessary. By inserting the modules in the prototype a working system is creates quickly and relatively inexpensively.

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7. Visual Basic:
One of the most popular tools for Rapid Prototyping is Visual Basic (VB). Microsoft Access, which includes a Visual Basic extensibility module, is also a widely accepted prototyping tool that is used by many non-technical business analysts. Although VB is a programming language it has many features that facilitate using it to create prototypes, including:

An interactive/visual user interface design tool. Easy connection of user interface components to underlying functional behavior. Easy to learn and use implementation language (i.e. Basic). Modifications to the resulting software are easy to perform.

8. PSDL:
PSDL (Prototype Systems Design Language) is a prototype description language to describe real-time software.

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References:
1.
2.

D.A. Stacy, professor, University of Guelph. Guelph, Ontario. Lecture notes on Rapid Prototyping. GE Research and Development. http://www.crd.ge.com/esl/cgsp/fact_sheet/objorien/index.html Todd Grimm: The Human Condition: A Justification for Rapid Prototyping. Time Compression Technologies, vol. 3 no. 3. Accelerated Technologies http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_prototyping#Application _definition_software Analysis & Design of Information Systems By James A. Senn

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