Addition of Database to the Questionnaire Management System
Extended Abstract
Michael O’Connor
September 1, 2005
Submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements of
CMPS 490 – Computer Project
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1. Context of the project
1.1. Who needs it
This database project is needed by Dr. Beidler himself, who runs the
Questionnaire Management System, as well as all those who use the system to create and
collect data from questionnaires. Potential users include both students and faculty not
only in the computer science department but in other departments in which surveys of
students are needed.
1.2. Reasons for the new system
The current system in place to gather and organize the data from the questionnaire
uses a file and directory structure of tab delimited text files to store data. While the
current system is up and running without errors, it does not allow for quick and easy
queries of information from the stored files. Adding a database to store the data in would
allow for faster and easier organization, manipulation, and retrieval of necessary
information.
1.3. Where it will be used
The system will be used in the Computer Science department, and possible other
departments on campus, by both professors and students to gather information and
perform surveys. In addition, the nature of the project will allow any university or
commercial setting to create a database server at their own location and use the website
files created, providing they have permission from the creator to use those files.
1.4. Hardware/software required
The main hardware required for this project is a computer running a PostgreSQL
Database Management System and having access to an internet connection. The software
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that will be used to code and configure the web pages for access to the database will all
be written in PHP.
1.5. Intended user group
Users of the system include all those who currently use the system to gather
information from students and other faculty, as well as any other departments on campus
who would like to use the system to gather information from both their students as well
as other faculty members.
2. Overview of what is proposed
2.1. Description of the problem
The main problem with the current design and implementation of the
Questionnaire Management System is the use of a text file and directory structure. This
structure does not allow for easy searching and organization of the data that is being
collected from the questionnaires. In order to obtain information on a particular person’s
responses, the entire file must be read in from the beginning and scanned through until
the desired record is reached. With the current size and scale of the system, this may not
be too large of an issue, as the number of records is fairly small. However, as the system
grows and more people begin using the system, this will cause a dramatic slowdown in
the overall use of the system.
Converting the system to a database structure will solve the problem of searching
and scanning various files for information. A database will also allow for quick and easy
searching and gathering of the information needed by the administrator of the survey.
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2.2. Specific objectives
The database itself will be created under a PostgreSQL management system
probably on one of Dr. Bi’s machines in his office. The database will include all
information currently be collected from the users of the system, and possible more data if
the need arises.
The website itself will follow the same exact structure and design as the current
web page. The majority of the changes will be made strictly to existing files, simply
modifying them to interact with the database instead of writing to and reading from files.
2.3. Inputs of the system
The inputs to the system will be given in the form of answers to the questionnaire
as well as information needed to keep track of the actual questions being asked by the
questionnaire.
2.4. When, where, and in what form does data originate?
Data will be added to the system as new questionnaires are created, and as each
questionnaire is filled out and answered by the group of users they were intended for.
2.5. Outputs of the system
The output from the system will be given in the form of a website with the
information in the website being pulled from the database. Depending on time and the
current website setup, the system will have the ability to search and display the
information in various forms.
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2.6. By whom and in what form is information needed?
The only information that I would need in order to complete the project would be
a basic understanding of the current setup of the website, as well as information and some
occasional assistance in understanding the PHP programming language.
2.7. Outline of what is to be included
The project will include and online web page which users can log into in order to
view and create various web surveys and questionnaires. The web page will interact with
a PostgreSQL database system which will store and organize the data into tables. When
information is needed, the database will the queried, and information will be gathered as
requested by the authorized users.
3. Feasibility
At first mention of this project, it looking like it would involve a great deal of
work in creating a database and a website using the Java and Java Servlets that I learned
how to use in the database course. However, realizing that a website was already created,
and the only difficult part of the project would be interpreting PHP and altering it made it
sound like a doable project. Dr. Beidler assures me that his code and ideas are not
difficult to understand, and that he will assist me with any questions or problems that
arise in the converting of the website into database form.