Professional Documents
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Research Methodology
3.1 Introduction
Methodology refers to the analysis of the methods used appropriate to a field of
study. It is a systematic way of accomplishing certain tasks and is defined as a
collection of procedures, techniques, tools and documentation aids that helps a
software developer to speed up and simplify the software development process
(Pressman, 2001).
In this research, a combination of methodologies was used. This chapter describes
the methodology for this dissertation and the methodology that is used for system
development.
The Research methodology defined here is based on the methods used to collect
information on the real world problem pertaining to on-line retail chain stores and to
define system requirements. From the analysis study, understanding of the
literature reviewed and analysis of questionnaires, will lead the initial requirements
for the system. Evolutionary prototype is used as methodology for SDLC. Once the
initial requirements are ready, the next step is to design the system, followed by
coding and testing.
5. Is the system able to manage document inventory for each department and
define which documents has reached to the department to be minute?
6. Is the system able to find which company brought a document into the
organization?
7. Is the system able to generate reports based on specific date and time?
The system development life cycle (SDLC) is the entire process of formal, logical
steps taken to develop a software product. There are many life cycle models that
exist to develop the system, and the researcher is at liberty to choose a model that
fit this project, time and constraint. The phases of SDLC can vary somewhat but
generally include the following: Requirements specification, software design, coding,
testing, and delivery.
for
Figure 3.1: The evolutionary prototyping for a web based document monitoring and
tracking system for Ministry of petroleum (DMTS)
3.5.3.a Requirements analysis / Gathering and Integration
Requirements definition is the most crucial part of this project. A requirement is a
description of what a system should do, (Lutz & Woodhouse,1997). Figure 3.2 shows
the process of gathering the initial set of requirements from the study of literature
review, discussion with potential users, and reviewing other similar software
systems, so as to contribute to the understanding on what the system must do.
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design, subsystem and module specification, and interface design are revised and
minimally documented as necessary to ensure a design and prototype structure.
The system design is considered as the connecting link or bridge between the
existing set of requirements and the prototype implementation.
Login in screen
Redirected pages, eg; Minister, Deputy Minister, Petroleum directorate,
accounts, i.c.t., records, communication unit, p.p.m.e etc respectively.
View incoming documents.
Outgoing document page where they can add or edit minutes using the
reference number of a document.
Generate reports
Print reports
Search for document
Monitor document flow
Should be able to logout from their page interface by clicking on a link.
Figure 3.5. Programming and debugging is still performed until the requirements are
met and the design is fulfilled at the conclusion of system implementation.
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In the user evaluation model of the DTM System, users should be able to see the
following after login:
Login in screen
Redirected to appropriate page, eg; Minister, Deputy Minister, Petroleum
directorate stc respectively.
Users should be able to view incoming documents.
Outgoing page where they can add or edit minutes using the reference
number of a document.
Should be able to logout from their page interface by clicking on a link.
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Figure 3.7: Complete DRD for the new developed system for Ministry of
Petroleum.
In the complete DRD model for the DTM System, admin, ministers and users should
be able to see the following after login:
Login in screen
Redirected to appropriate page, eg; Minister, Deputy Minister, Petroleum
directorate etc respectively.
Users should be able to view incoming documents.
Outgoing page where they can add or edit minutes using the reference
number of a document.
Should be able to logout from their page interface by clicking on a link.
Admin should be able to generate reports by clicking on a link and also
search for a document or minute using the reference number.
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Minister should be able to add minutes to document that can be sent to each
user and department within the organization.
PROGRAMMING ENVIRONMENT
3.1 HARDWARE SPECIFICATION
The hardware is the place where all the information and data are stored permanently. So
hardware must be reliable and cost effective. The hardware must suit all the application
development. It is fast enough to complete and do all the jobs and executions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
PHP
PHP, CSS,
XHTML
Back End
MySQL
Windows XP
or higher specification.
integrated collection of data. The most significant of data as seen by the programs and data as
stored on the direct storage devices. This is the difference between logical and physical data.
The organization of data in the database aims to achieve three major objectives:
Data integration
Data integrity
Data independence
The databases are implemented using a DBMS package. Each particular DBMS has
unique characteristics and general techniques for database design. The proposed System stores
the information relevant for processing in the SQL server database. This SQL Server database
contains tables, where each table is called a field or column. A table also contains records, which
is a set of fields. All records, in a table the same set of fields with different information. Each
table contains key fields that establish relationships in an SQL database and how the records are
stored. There are primary key fields that uniquely identify a record in a table. There are also
fields that contain the primary key from another table called foreign keys.
MySQL Server
Relational database systems are the most important database systems used in the software
industry today. One of the most outstanding systems in Microsoft MySOL Server. MySQL
Server is a database management system developed and marketed by Microsoft. It runs
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exclusively under Windows NT, Windows 95/98, and Windows 2000 Server. The most important
aspects of MySQL Server are:
been
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Profiler allows you to capture and replay system traces that log various activities. Its a great
tool for optimizing databases with performance issues or troubleshooting particular problems.
Service Manager is used to control the MS MySQL Server, MSDTC (Microsoft
Distributed Transaction Coordinator) and MySQL Server Agent processes. An icon for this
service normally resides in the system tray of machines running MySQL Server. You can use
Service Manager to start, stop or pause any one of these service.
Data Transformation Services (DTS) provide an extremely flexible method for
importing and exporting data between a Microsoft MySQL Server installation and a large variety
of other formats. The most commonly used DTS application is the Import and Export Data
wizard found in the MySQL Server program group.
2.
3.
4.
Easier to manage.
More compatible.
More powerful.
EASIER TO USE
With windows xp professional, you have faster access to information, And you are able to
accomplish tasks more quickly and easily.
Windows xp professional makes it easier to:
Set up.
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Administrator.
Support
MORE COMPATIBLE
Windows XP, also provides:
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