Human Factors in Computer and Information Systems
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Visual Basic Project 3

The final project is to build a simplified US domestic airline reservation system. You can just assume that there are only non-stop flights between airports. The minimum requirements are as follows.

  • Users enter the date and time, departure and arrival location. They can use the map of USA to enter the locations. The departure and arrival location should be highlighted on the map according to the user's selection.

  • Users should be allowed to enter the location using ComboBox. Your system should synchronize the two inputs, i.e. users' selection on the map should be reflected in the ComboBox, and  vice versa.

  • They should be allowed to use calendar control to enter the date within the next 12 months. 

  • You can simplify the map and the possible locations (airports). You can assume that there is only one airport in a state.( You can use the state name as the departure and arrival location. )

  • The system will recommend a list of possible flights. Even though the sample database is simple, you should assume a general situation in which there are many flights between two airports in a day.

  • Users should pay the fee at the end of reservation. Users have to pick one out of the 3 types of credit card ( Visa, Master, Discover) for payment. The default value (when the application is started) should be NONE in the payment field. When they select the credit card type, a form opens up asking shoppers to input their sixteen digit credit card number and the expiration date (format mm/yy). Any deviation from this should result in the system responding to shoppers to correct the situation.

  • Users can book the tickets for one way or for round trip. Of course, if users want to make a round trip reservation, your system should accept inputs for returning flight.

  • Users can reserve up to two seats at a flight.

  • Users can change their selections at any moment of reservation.

  • At the end of reservation, you should provide the confirmation information for double check.

  • This project should be done in teams of two. ( The same team members of VB2 would be a good choice.)

  • The raw data will be provided. ( flight schedule data, map data )

  • You should store the raw data in a database. (I recommend MS Access.)

Visit some real reservation systems on the web, and get some ideas about what functionalities your system should provide.

Data provided :

  • Air flight schedule database : This data is not real (almost randomly generated). You can change the departure time and arrival time for each flight if you want to make it more realistic, but this is not a requirement. You can customize the database as you want unless you reduce the number of tuples and attributes.

  • US map data : A sample program using MapObjects LT ActiveX control. This sample program will be a good starting point of your project. MapObjects LT control and US states map data are included in the sample file. You can get more information (online help) if you download and install the ActiveX control on your computer. If you use an ActiveX control in VB, the control should be registered before it is used. It means that you should download the control and install it on your computer before you use it.

  • You don't have to use MapObjects LT control for this project. If you know another good way, you can do it as you want.

Due : before the beginning of class on 4/11

Visual Basic Project #3 Submission Procedure

The most common way to submit your VB projects would be to ftp over to the Teaching Theater cluster and putting a folder containing all project files over there. But before that, there are some standard procedures you should follow. 

  1. In the PC that you are working, create a folder corresponding to your login name appended by the word P3, so it would look like bsxx_xxP3. ( If bs13 and bs14 worked together, put the folder name should be bs13_14P3.)

  2.  Put all the VB files that you have created by way of your homework in that folder. This would include files of type .vbp, .frm, etc. 

  3. Put the folder under HOMEWORK in your Teaching Theater cluster account. Login to Teaching Theater cluster(ttclass.umd.edu) and go to the parent directory, you can find the HOMEWORK directory there. Put your folder in the HOMEWORK directory.

Please try to submit only once.

Visual Basic Project 2

The second project introduces you to a variety of controls used in regular Visual Basic applications. This project is to design and implement a small visitor information system for 3rd floor of A.V. Williams building (only CS Department part). The requirements are :

  • Your program should provide the information about the person at a given room. That information includes at least his/her name, title, photo, and phone number. You don't have to provide a real photo. You can find the other information at

http://www.cs.umd.edu/Department/Phone_Book.shtml

  • There should be at least 25 rooms and person data in you program.

  • You should allow users to see the floor plan. You can download the floor plan of 3rd floor at

http://www.cs.umd.edu/class/spring2001/cmsc434-0101/3rd_room.zip

  • You program should be able to mark the location of the currently selected person's room on the floor plan.

  • You program should be able to mark the locations of common facilities (rest room, elevator, lounge, exit, etc.) on the floor plan.

  • You should handle the case where there are 2 or more people in a room. Users may want to see the information of all the people in the room.

  • The information should be searchable by name and room number (Keyboard entry). You should use textbox to get user's input(room number or name).

  • Sufficient error handling is required.

  • The project should be done in teams of two.

Grading components : Direct manipulation, natural interaction between controls, prompt and proper response to user action, graphical layout, control usage, easy to use, error handling

Extra Points : You can get some extra points, if your program can show the information about the person(s) in the room when a user press the mouse button on a specific room location of the floor plan image.

Due : before the beginning of class on 3/12

Visual Basic Project 1

Let's assume that a company wants to make a new product. Your job is to design a new product of the manufacturing company. The company is considering combining the following into one item:

AM-FM radio

Cassette player

CD player

Alarm clock (the alarm can make an alarm melody or turn on a radio, cassette, or CD)

Guidelines

  • Your interface should provide the basic and normal functions of each component of the product. ( for example) play, rewind, fast forward, stop and record for Cassette player

  • This is an introduction to the VB design environment. So basically just drag-and-drop controls to enhance your interface and set a few options here and there  (in the properties dialog). No coding is required.

  • You should use only a single form.

  • The focus is on the interface, and the grading criterion is centered on your interface design for the item. Use command-buttons, check boxes, images, color, labels, etc. wherever and whichever way you feel is right.

  • You must do this project individually

Due : before the beginning of class on 2/21