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| Application
Design: |
In a nutshell...
Application
design refers to the design of a program (GUI) that
sits over a database to facilitate the use of the
databases data.
NB: An application is not to be
confused with a database although the term is often
used inter-changeably. A database is used to store
data whereas an application describes the combination
of a database and a program (GUI).
The program, or GUI, sits on top of the database
and allows users to access the data. It's the combination
of a database and a GUI that accurately
describes an application.
Tell me more...
After your database has been designed, built and
tested, the next thing to do is to build an application
to sit on top so that users can use the data.
You can of course add data directly to a database
but this is very difficult and is not the recommended
way to let users interact with your data. At a minimum
you need some sort of GUI that will allow someone
to use the data.
For example, a typical call centre application will
allow a user to to take details for home insurance.
The application will be designed to capture information
from the customer in a timely fashion, validating
data on entry, presenting lists to make selections
from and allowing the user to jump to a different
parts of the database if they require further information
to fulfil a task.
Anything else I
should know?
Many things make a good application, but
the best way to have a great application is to speak
with the people who will eventually use it. It's
no good building something that you think may work
and expecting users just to adopt it, it never works.
You need to spend time with them, get to know the
way they work and listen to their ideas and comments.
By doing this you will also get the users buy-in
on your application.
You should also look to adopt simple and well established
design principles. There's a good reason why applications
are 'battleship grey' in colour and why you should
only use certain font styles.
Remember, at the end of the day, no matter what
new technology comes along, your users will only
be doing one of four things at any one time:
• Adding data
• Editing data
• Deleting data
• Reviewing data
Make it simple for them and you will be rewarded
with greater productivity.
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