Application description
Architecture
This application allows users to consult a database of computer-related acronyms through a simple web interface. It runs with little supervisor intervention (installation, maintenance, adding acronyms and verifying user-posted acronyms).
The Ultimate Computer Acronyms Archive uses Microsoft SQL Server as database, interfaced to the Web pages through ODBC. On the server, pages are generated dynamically using ActiveX server-side controls (ASP pages). On the client, either a Java applet (TreeView - also developed by us) or a JavaScript program shows the database's hierarchical structure with an user-friendly look and feel.
Another program built upon MS-Access allows the maintenance of the database in both structure and content forms, thus acting as an administration front-end. The PDF files you can download are created using this program. It also uses ODBC to exchange data with SQLServer.
The figure on the right shows the application's architecture. |
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Main features
- Frame usage. The application is divided in two panels: to the left there's the Java applet showing the possible operations and the acronyms' categories; to the right you can see the content of the option selected;
- Active Server Pages. To achieve a flexibility high enough, we decided to use server-side active pages expanding the base HTML functionality;
- Tree view menu. At a first glance you see the acronyms' categories and operations, with a familiar and user-friendly graphical user interface. If you want either to view the acronyms or to execute an operation (for example, to define a new acronym), it's easy to know what you have to do;
- Free search function. It's possible to search for an acronym, part of it, manufacturer-related or context-related acronyms.
- Insert function. You can contribute to the growth of this archive by defining acronyms that aren't included yet (note that they are checked against other sources before being displayed).
- Easy navigation. The acronyms are grouped alphabetically and separated into ranges. Also, a maximum amount of definitions is shown per page, giving the user the capability to scroll forth and back among pages.
Platforms & requirements
At the database server we have:
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 with the latest service packs applied;
- Database Management System: Microsoft SQL Server 7.0.
The web server uses:
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 with the latest service packs applied;
- Web Server: Microsoft Internet Information Server 4.0;
- Web Statistics analysis tool: Microsoft Site Server 3.0;
The client runs on:
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 (server or workstation) or later or Microsoft Windows 95 or later;
- Database Management System: Microsoft Access 8 (Office 97) or later.
Finally,The web browser must support:
- Frames;
- Graphics;
- Tables;
- Either Java, JavaScript or cookies (which must also be enabled).