Database Reference
In-Depth Information
6.3.2 Command-Based User Interface
If the user interface is command-driven, the following steps are recommended:
1.
Develop an
operations-set
i.e. a list of operations that will
be required.
2.
Categorize the operations — user operations as opposed to
system operations.
3.
Develop a mapping of operations with underlying database
objects.
4.
Determine required parameters for each operation.
5.
Develop a list of commands (may be identical to operations
set). If this is different from the operations set, each command
must link to its corresponding system operations.
6.
Define a syntax for the command.
7.
Develop a user interface support for each command (and by
extension each operation). This interface support must be
consistent with the defined command syntax.
8.
Program the implementation of each operation.
6.4 User Interface Development and
Implementation
Designing, constructing and implementing the user interface really belongs to the realm
of software engineering, not database systems. However, as you are aware (and as has
been emphasized in this course), the two fields are closely related. In order to construct
the user interface, you will need to have an appropriate set of software development
tools. Of course, development and testing of the user interface must proceed according to
established software development standards.
The software development tool used to develop the user interface will depend to a
large extent on the user requirements (another software engineering matter). Figure
6-4
provides some possible scenarios.
