Database application development lifecycle

Database application development lifecycle

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the stages involved in the database application development lifecycle and the links between them.
• The main stages involved in the database application development lifecycle include requirements collection and analysis, system definition, application and database design, DBMS selection, form and report design, prototyping, implementation, data migration, conversion and loading, testing, and operational maintenance.
• Students should recognize that the stages of the database application development lifecycle often involve review and repetition of previous stages through feedback loops.
• Practise the main activities associated with the stages of the database application development lifecycle in an educational or commercial scenario.
• Students should be able to apply simple Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools to automate, manage and simplify the database design process. CASE supports may include tools for data dictionary construction, and those for facilitating data models development, etc.

Relevant past paper:

DSE Elec A(SP-2016): 2012 4a. 2013 3d. 2014 3bc. 2015 4ab. 2016 4bc.

Stages involved in the database application development lifecycle:

Variations exist for what should be included in the lifecycle. This is a general guide.

Components	Deliverables i.e. Products of the development process / Details of the stages
System definition	5Ws (What, Why, Who, When, Where) Feasibility report, project plan
Requirements collection and analysis	Collect information from potential users e.g. questionnaires, interview à know what data to collect for the DBMS, what functions are expected
Application and database design DBMS selection (database) Form and report design (application)	Conceptual, logical, physical design… Conceptual – ER diagrams Logical – normalisation of tables Physical - hardwares, physical data design
Prototyping Implementation	An early model is presented to users for feedback Errors can be detected earlier and resolved by going through previous stages
Data migration, conversion and loading	Format of original data may not be suitable for use à need conversion to usable format Ensure data consistency
Testing	Test plan with different test cases (create pseudo-data) Use of real data after data conversion
Operational maintenance	System put into use Documentation: system and user manuals (for record and future maintenance) Backup, monitor for errors, etc.

The lifecycle often involves review and repetition of previous stages through feedback loops.

Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools

These tools are software tools that assist the development of a database application in different stages of the development lifecycle. A long list of CASE tools exists.

CASE tools have a central repository, function as a data dictionary, source of common information and storage of product specifications, documents and diagrams. Different CASE tools can obtain essential information from the central repository.

Some examples:

Stages	CASE tools	Deliverables from CASE tools
Definition/Planning	Project management tool	Project schedule
Application and database design	Graphical modelling tool	ER diagram
implementation	Query editor	Query command
Testing/maintenance	Query analysis tool	Database performance

References:

https://www.w3schools.in/dbms/planning-design-administration/
https://medium.com/@stevejim56/what-are-computer-aided-software-engineering-tools-case-and-its-uses-for-software-development-6e8c7c5e9df2
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/0471728993.app4
https://www.careerride.com/page/case-tools-663.aspx