12.2 Coding

Coding is the process whereby the physical specifications created in the previous phases are turned into working computer codes by the programmer team. Coding is an activity where all the designed during the previous phases will be programmed using a software that have been defined before. This is a time where most of the programmer will sit in front of computers and do coding. During the coding, each program module will be tested individually, then as part of a larger program, and as the complete system. At the same time, the team should come out with a system and user documentation to help users in using the system.

There are several sub activities involved during coding activity. Normally, all this activities involved system analyst, programmer, system designer and database administrator. These activities are planned simultaneously with other activities;

	Install and test new software
	Not all, but most of the system development requires the organization to purchase or lease a new software package. If required, this software should be installed and tested once the previous task is completed.
	Write and test new programs
	This is the major task in coding activity. Once we have completed all the previous tasks; we can start to develop the system. Today, most of the organizations prefer to use prototyping approach when developing the system.

12.2 Coding

	Network building and testing
	In many cases, new or enhanced system is building around existing networks. If so, just skip this task. But, if the system develops require a new or enhanced networks, it should be implemented before building and testing the database, coding and installing computer program. Today, most of the systems are developed in a web-based environment, or at least intranet.
	Database building and testing
	We can say that a database is compulsory for any system. As mentioned earlier, database is a place where we kept all the data. So, this task must be leading other programming activities because database is shared by the computer program. If the system develop require a new or enhanced database, this task is required.

12.2 Coding

11.2.2 Question-and-Answer Dialogue

This type of interface, the system displays a question to the user on the screen. In order to communicate, users need to answer the question by using keyboard or mouse. Then, the computer acts on the input information in a preprogrammed manner, typically by moving to the next questions. There are two types of common question-and-answer interface; First, users answering the question and the information system directs the question in sequence basis. Normally, the next questions are related or connected by the previous questions. Figure 11-5 shows an example of question-and-dialogue from Microsoft Word application. Second, by using a dialog box. Users are prompted with questions to which they supply the answer. In Figure 11-5, notice that users are suggested an answer by the system. Question-and-answer dialogues are popular in a web based applications. For example, in course registration system, students were asked to confirm the registration.

12.2 Coding

11.2.3 Forms

The purpose of forms it to allow users to fill in the blanks when working with a system. Normally, form was used to get input and present the information. A good form should have self-explanatory title and field headings, followed by fields that have been organized into grouping with boundaries to differentiate them. Blank fields are sometimes provided with a default values, and the cursor is moved by the users from field to field by a mouse click; for instance. We also need to minimize the need to scroll down the windows. We already discussed in designed a form in previous chapter; Input design. Form-fill interfaces consist of on-screen forms or web-based forms displaying fields containing data items or parameters that need to be communicated to the users. In the previous lesson, we have discussed in detail about forms.

11.2.4 Command Language Interfaces

Command language interface is an interface types whereby users enter explicit statements into a system to invoke operations. For example; to copy a file name database.doc from C location to disk A using DOS can be done by using the statement :
COPY C:DATABASE.DOC A:DATABASE.DOC
This type of interface requires user to remember the syntax, names and operation to be done. A command language allows the users to control the application with a series of keystrokes, commands, phrases, or some sequence of these three methods. Command-language manipulates the computer as a tool by allowing the users to control the dialog. When user gives a command to the computer using a command language, it is executed by the system immediately. Then the user can proceed to another command.

12.2 Coding

11.2.4 Natural Language Interface

Natural language interfaces are perhaps the dream and ideal of inexperienced users, since they permit users to interact with the computer in their everyday or natural language. This technique accepts inputs and produce outputs in a conventional language such as English. Natural language interface is being applied within both keyboard and voice entry system. There is no special skill required of the users, who interfaces with the computer using natural language. Figure 11-6 shows an example of natural language interface. For example, first question, "List all the students who get A for Course: CCES2332" is a straightforward question.

Figure 11-6: Natural Language Interface

12.2 Coding

Most today's user interfaces are graphical are graphical. The graphical user interface is provided within either the computer operating system or the internet browser. There are several types of graphical user interface. Not all types of interfaces discussed above are considered as graphical user interface. The most popular used of graphical user interfaces are menus.