CSIS 643 Liberty University Computer Science Discussion

Post 1:

Veto Bishop (all of Veto’s project and video is attached below)

At the onset of this course, I was eager to get started with the final project.  The mindset was that I knew what the problem was and all I needed was to start coding. However, I quickly realized that this approach would have only led to frustration. So, I read all the chapters of the textbook and watched all the videos posted for this course and they provided guidance on the approach that was required for successfully developing the application.

Defining the problem that the application should solve was not the issue but narrowing the scope of the problem was challenging. How do I narrow the scope without reducing the efficacy of the application? This was the question I was now faced with. To ensure that the reduced scope was within the gamut of the solution to solve the problem and simultaneously demonstrated topics learned in my degree thus far, I ensured that my application used concepts that were taught during my master’s degree.

To ensure that concepts learned prior to this assignment were applied, I created a project plan and schedule to keep me on track. I followed this up by conducting user requirements surveys among my coworkers, who were very helpful in providing feedback. Now that I had user requirements and project schedules, I then turned to use case diagrams and descriptions. The use case diagram helped to bring the ideas to life.  After completing use case diagrams, I created some activity diagrams which helped with the data flow.

My main challenge was properly drawing the sequence diagram for each use case. Knowing that the sequence diagrams are equally important to project development I read additional on this topic to augment my understanding of the principle. Sequence diagrams helped me to brainstorm class diagrams as the program flow was more visible.

The next concept revisited was relational databases. It was evident that I will need a database that must be properly normalized. What should be the database that is chosen for this project? I had experience with both SQL and MySQL, but I chose MySQL because it is open source. At this stage, I had fully developed the software architecture, schedule, and chose MySQL, so I am ready to start coding.

I applied the Agile software development method of coding, checking that user requirements are met, and testing. This was done for each module. As I coded, my mind was inundated with a plethora of features to add to the application, but I had to remain disciplined so that I followed the architecture and met the course deadline. I think after completing this course I will pursue making my application a world-class system for the oil and gas industry.

In closing, the easiest part of this course was that I was familiar with a problem that readily needed a solution. The challenge was to stay on schedule and within the architecture presented. Embedded in this post is a copy of the software architecture and a demonstration of the application. The following video will compare the operations of my application to the architecture.

Post 2:

Stanley Glover (He only had screenshots)

The scope of the project that was selected for this course was creating an inventory management system for enterprise use. The client in this situation has recently undergone changes to their logistical setup making the current inventory management system no longer fit their needs. 

The solution that was implemented to better fit the needs of the client is centered around providing them with a customizable, easy-to-use, and scalable software solution to fit their new logistical setup. This new solutions technology stack consists of a Java backend, a Java frontend that can be swapped for a React frontend, a Mysql database, and AWS infrastructure.

In the screenshots posted below, you are able to see the layout and interface of the actual software. This software allows for two user roles the admin view and the store owner view, depending on the role of the login determines what can be seen on the software. The admin role possesses the most privileges within this software allowing them to customize it to fit their need. Admins have the ability to create new accounts and provide creds to the store owners, effectively allowing them to log into their dedicated account. The admin also has the ability to search the accounts that have access to the software, allowing them to see any information around the user and the store. The final major feature that admin has access to is the ability to manipulate the inventory database, they have the ability to add and remove inventory from the database that is being maintained.

As for the store owner’s view, the store owner has the ability to search the inventory database. They can then have the item that they searched return to the screen and request and order.