Web Application

Today I’m writing my last topic about ICT with a bit emotion because I’m losing one more semester from my university life but life must go on and we have to look forward towards our aim and future plan. In this semester, I have learned a lot of things that I may need during my graduation. Truly speaking, my lecturer Nur Khairunnisha Zainal is very good as a teacher and we had a fun during the lecture session and she is good at making people understand as well. From my personal point of view, ICT is one of the most important subjects that we need to improve in order to compete with others in this era of globalization. That’s why I chose ICT for my graduation course. However, I hope I will be like a cheerful bird in my coming semester. Ohhh….i forgot to ask you guys, How are you?? How are your days going??

Don’t forget to answer my questions because I will be waiting for your answers. If you answer me, I’ll feel very much blissful through the connection of our hearts.

Stop this fabulous words !! let’s go on to the topic. Today, I will explain about the Web application and Web information system.

Web Application

Web application is an application that is accessed over a network such as the internet or intranet. It may also mean a computer software application that is coded in a browser-supported language and reliant on a common web browser to render the application executable.

It is also defined as a collection of logically related interactive functions that fulfill a specific business requirement as defined by a knowledgeable user of the Internet. In the case of a web application, the ‘business user’ of the application is the web provider, and it is the view that determines what ‘user requested functionality’ is. The end-user of the web site does not directly influence either the business functionality provided, or the design requirements.

The architecture of web applications comprises multiple components. The purpose for counting, determines which components are to be included within the scope of a particular count. Examples of web components include:

• Business Application functionality
• Security
• Browsers (explorer, chrome)
• E-mail component
• Bulletin Boards

Web 2.0 Application

•      Dynamic interactive web sites

•      Typically with client / server communication patterns

•      Famous for E-Commerce applications

Advantage of Web application

•         Easy to use (end-user focused)
•    Familiar: frequent use of standard controls
•       You don’t need a manual to use them!
•    Platform and machine independent
•     No installation on client machine
•    Easy to update (hit refresh!)

Web information system

Web information system is an information system that uses internet web technologies to deliver information and services, to users or other information systems. It is a software system whose main purpose is to publish and maintain data by using hypertext based principles.

Web information system usually consists of one or more web applications, specific functionality-oriented components, together with information components and other non-web components.

Different Types of WIS

• •      Informational

-       Disseminate information (static or dynamic)

-       Share information (among visitors or WISs)

• •      Transactional

-       Conduct transactional business (B2C, C2C, B2B…)

-       Perform tasks (simple, complex and collaborative)

Finally we have learned about Google applications such as Google document, Google calendar, Gmail, Google site etc.

The most satisfactory conclusion that I can draw is that I feel very pleased to fulfill this course and I have erudite a lot of things.

Special thanks to my Lecturer Nur Khairunnisha Zainal to teach us everything very clearly with a friendly mood. I also want to thanks all the readers from my heart and beast of luck everyone..:)

Internet

Hello world !!! Today I am going to explain about the internet and World Wide Web that is very popular to everyone nowadays. Without wasting time let me proceed on.

WWW and Internet are two widely known and used terms. This is the age of the internet and billions all over the world make use of it daily for various purposes. However, a vast majority of people think that World Wide Web and internet are synonyms. They tend to use the terms interchangeably which is wrong. Though the terms are related, there are differences between the two.

Internet is a massive network of networks that connects millions across the globe daily. It helps create a network in which anyone sitting in any remote corner of the world can get connected to any other person thousands of miles away. The only requirement for these two people to connect with each other is a computer and an internet connection. Millions of websites containing a sea of information are there on the internet and this information travels at the speed of light literally through various languages known as protocols.

On the other hand, WWW is a way of getting to the information available on the net. It is a model for sharing information that sits atop internet. The World Wide Web makes use of HTTP protocol, which is one of the languages used over the net to transmit information. The web utilizes browsers such as Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Firefox to get access to millions of web pages. These pages are liked to each other via hyperlinks in an amazing manner. It is not just text; web pages are full of graphics, images as well as videos.

It is thus clear that web is just a subset of the internet and not a synonym of internet. Though closely related, the two terms cannot be used interchangeably.

Today Internet and WWW continues growing day by day and it can be shown below by having a look at the graphs.

The Number of domain host in Internet

The number of domain host in WWW

It has been shown below that how an email may travel from sender to receiver. the internet makes our life easier for communication.

How a message travel between the servers

Web 1.0

Web 1.0 is the first generation of WWW. It is one-way broadcasting, meaning only the owner of the site can publish information. It was the content web. Early it was used for Not-for-Profit information age. A system of internet servers that support specially formatted document by using HTML and obviously WWW is not synonymous with the internet.

Web 2.0

Web 2.0 is the second generation of the WWW that focused on the ability for people to collaborate and share information online. It signifies a conversation between the original author of the content and all those who can comment or participate. It refers to the transition from static HTML web pages to a more dynamic HTML or dynamic web. It is also regarded as the social web for example Ex-Wikipedia, Face book, YouTube, all online affairs of government as well as private entity.

Element of Web 2.0

Web 3.0

Web 3.0 is an extension of Web 2.0. it is the location-aware and moment-relevant web. Combined with the social web 2.0 services, web 3.0 provides the internet user with the opportunity to engage with people all over the world on a variety of devices such as Ex-Twitter, 3G Cellular, Wi-Fi-network, iPhone, one ta-local movie listings and trailers.

That's all for today..see you for the next topic...Have a nice day !!!

Database

Peace be upon you all. Today, I’m gonna tell you about Database and how to create database. Hope, you all will be with me…

A database is a collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed, managed, and updated. In one view, databases can be classified according to types of content: bibliographic, full text, numeric, and images.

In computing, databases are sometimes classified according to their organizational approach. The most prevalent approach is the relational house, a tabular database in which data is defined so that it can be reorganized and accessed in a number of different ways. A disturbed database is one that can be dispersed or replicated among different points in a network. An object-oriented programming database is one that is congruent with the data defined in object classes and sub-classes.

Types of database

There are four structural types of database model and they are Hierarchical, Network, Relational, and Object-oriented.

Hierarchical Database

It is commonly used on mainframe computers and it has been around for a long time. It is one of the oldest methods of organizing and storing data and it is still used by some organizations for making travel reservations. A hierarchical database is organized in pyramid fashion, like the branches of a tree extending downwards. Related fields or records are grouped together so that there are higher-level records and lower-level records, just like the parents in a family tree sit above the subordinated children.

Network Database

It is similar to hierarchical database by also having a hierarchical structure. There are a few key differences, however. Instead of looking like an upside-down tree, a network database looks more like a cobweb or interconnected network of records. In network database, children are called members and parents are called owners. The most important difference is that each child or member can have more than one parent.

Relational Database

In Relational databases, the relationship between data files is relational, not hierarchical. Hierarchical and network database are require the user to pass down through a hierarchy in order to access needed data. Relational databases connect data in different files by using common data elements or a key field. Data in relational databases is stored in different tables, each having a key field that uniquely identifies each row. Relational databases are more flexible than either the hierarchical or network database structures. In relational databases, tables or files filled with data are called relations, topples designates a row or record, and columns are referred to as attributes or fields.

Object-oriented database

Able to handle many new data types, including graphics, photographs, audio, and video, object-oriented databases represent a significant advance over their other database cousins. Hierarchical and network databases are all designed to handle structured data; that is, data that fits nicely into fields, rows, and columns. They are useful for handling small snippets of information such as names, addresses, zip codes, product numbers, and any kind of statistic or number you can think of. On the other hand, an object-oriented database can be used to store data from a variety of media sources, such as photographs and text, and produce work, as output, in a multimedia.

Database Terminology

Column

One column (data element) contains data of one and the same kind, for example the column post code.

Compound key

A compound key is a key that consists of multiple columns, because one column is not sufficiently unique.

Database

A database is a collection of tables, with related data.

Foreign key

A foreign key is the linking pin between two tables.

High frequency function

A highly frequency function is a function that is used very often, hundreds or even thousands times per day.

Index

An index in a database resembles an index at the back of a book.

Key

A key consists of one or more columns. It is unique and its value cannot occur twice in one table. With a key at most one row can be found.

Many to Many Relationship

Many to Many relations are everywhere. One newspaper has many readers for example, and one reader reads many newspapers.

Many to One Relationship

A many to One relation is the same as one to many, but from a different viewpoint it is more likely that many readers live in one area or many subscriptions are for one and the same newspaper.

One to Many Relationship

Most relations between tables are one to many. For example, one area can be the habitant of many readers.

One to One Relationship

A one to one relationship is exceptional in databases. It can occur, but it’s often a sign that the database design has opportunities for improvement.

Row

A row is a group of related data, for example the data of one subscription. One row cannot contain lists.

Structured Query Language

It is one type of query language that is widely used to perform operations using relational databases. Remember that relational databases are composed of tables with rows and columns. SQL can be used to retrieve information from related tables in a database or to select and retrieve information from specific rows and columns in one or more tables. One of the keys to understanding how SQL works in a relational database is to realize that each table and column has a specific name associated with it. In order to query a table, the user specifies the name of the table (indicating the rows to be displayed) and the names of the columns to be displayed.

Creating Database

After learned all this, our lecturer taught us how to build database using Microsoft Database.

Click on the link for online tutorial for Microsoft Access 2010.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access-help/create-tables-for-a-new-database-RZ101772997.aspx

Then we have created a database following the instructions that was given to us.

Now, I know how to create database, table, relate table in database, and use queries for database as well as how to build forms and at last how to create reports.

That’s all for this topic……….

Information System and ISD Methodology

Hi, guys!!! How r your days going?? Hope it’s going well. I have passed an exciting week in this month that I will never forget in my life. Really, I’m enjoying my university life. Now, come to the main point..after being learned two topics, I have got one topic named Information System that my lecturer taught us very plainly.

Let me start with the definition of Information System. Information System is an integrated set of components for collecting, storing, and processing data and for delivering information, knowledge, and digital products. Business firms and other organizations rely on information systems to carry out and manage their operations, interact with their customers and suppliers, and compete in the marketplace. For instance, corporations use information systems to reach their potential customers with targeted messages over the web to process financial accounts, and to manage their human resources.

Types of Information System

Information Systems differ in their business needs and the information varies depending upon different levels in organization. Information System can be broadly categorized into following:

• Transaction processing system
• Management information system
• Decision support system

The information needs are different at different organizational levels. Accordingly the information can be categorized into three parts and they are Strategic Information, Managerial Information and operational Information.

Transaction processing system

It processes business transaction of the organization. Transaction can be any activity of the organization. For example, take a railway reservation system. Booking, canceling, etc are all transactions. Any query made to it is a transaction. This provides high speed and accurate processing of record keeping of basic operational processes and includes calculation, storage and retrieval. Transaction processing systems provide speed and accuracy, and can be programmed to follow routines functions of the organizations.

Management Information System

It assists lower management in problem solving and making decisions. They use the results of transaction processing and some other information also. An important element of MIS is Database. A Database is a non-redundant collection of interrelated data items that can be processed through application programs and available to many users.

Decision Support Systems

These systems assist higher management to make long term decisions. These type of systems handle unstructured or semi structured decisions. A decision is considered unstructured if there are no clear procedures for making the decision and if not all the factors to be considered in the decision can be readily identified in advance. A decision support system must be very flexible. The user should be able to produce customized reports by giving particular data and format specific to particular situations.

Information System Development Methodologies

Maddison et al. (1984) define ISD methodology as “a recommended collection of philosophies, phases, procedures, rules, techniques, tools, documentation, management and training for developers of information systems”.

There is a strong argument that the use of structured methodologies to support information system development (ISD) leads to fragment, highly specialized, low-direction jobs for system users. While deskilling is a work strategy which some managers may wish to pursue, many do not; structured methodologies are therefore inappropriate for many development projects. This paper is intended to simulate debate on process models to support alternative methodologies; it is presented in the context of current research and also on the basis of the author’s experience as a practitioner in the field of information system design.

The Waterfall Model Of System Development 

The elements of methodology are illustrated in above. These elements permit an individual to structure their understanding of appropriate solutions for a problem situation, according to their perspective and their previous experience of both the problem context and the methodology. A methodology affects the way in which individuals’ will perceive the context and tasks of development, with each component layer of the methodology acting as a filter to the next layer. Ultimately, the problem situation is perceived through the filters by successive elements of the methodology. A methodology affects the way in which individuals’ will perceive the context and tasks of development, with each component layer of the methodology acting as a filter to the next layer. Ultimately, the problem situation is perceived through the filters provided by successive elements of the methodology; these elements in turn are filtering through stakeholders’ perceptions of their utility and application.

Types of ISD methodologies

STARDIS

STARDIS is structured, analysis, design and implementation of information systems (STARDIS). It is developed by Gane and Sarson in 1979 and build on the work of stevens, Myers and Constantine. It is based on functional decomposition and the use of the data flow diagram. It is concerned with the section of an organization of program modules and interfaces. It is used when there is a backlog of systems waiting to be developed or insufficient resources available to develop all of the potential systems.

Information Engineering

Information Engineering is based on work of Finkelstein and James Martin Associates. It is a big method and it tends to be used by large organizations for strategic IS development projects. Information engineering is widely practiced. It is reasonably concise and attractive, consistent, and has a minimum of clutter. It is, however, a good important notation for attributes and unique identifiers.

Jackson Systems Development

JSD is an extension of program design methodology, Jackson Structured Programming (JSP). The main goal of JSD is to produce maintainable software, and its emphasis is on developing software. It does not deal with project selection, cost selection, requirements analysis, project management, user interface, and procedure design or user participation.

Prototyping

It is the process of building a model of a system. In terms of an information system, prototypes are employed to help system designers build an information system that institutive and easy to manipulate for end users. Prototyping is an iterative process that is part of the analysis phase of the systems development life cycle. During the requirements determination portion of the systems analysis phase, system analysts gather information about the organization’s current procedures and business processes related the proposed information system. In addition, they study the current information system, if there is one, and conduct user interviews and collect documentation. This helps the analysts develop an initial set of systems requirements.

System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

SDLC is defined as the process of developing system or software to meet certain requirements. It covers many activities, starts from understanding why the system should be built, studying the project feasibility, analyzing delivering the system as product to the user. It is a process of gradual refinement, meaning that it is done through several development phases. Each phase continues and refines what’s done in the previous phase.

Ohhmm,, I have finished writing..you guys are also tired reading it..so see u for the next topic…!!!