Hi,
i am doing software design (HSC course) and i have my major project due friday ... i need to know exactly what a data dictionary is ..... Google mentions it to do with databases but not programming ...
Thanks!
Clint:jesus
I teach SDD. Your data dictionary should tell the examiner everything about the variables etc., that you are using, say if your doing snakes and ladders in VB.
You should say what the data type is called ie 'surname', what kind of data it is 'a text string' at the least. You might also comment if it has a 'mask' for validation etc., or a word length, say 8 characters. You might also give an example.
Don't assume your 'code' will be read like a Harry Potter book, you've gotta stick this into your documentation as a heading, and then show that you are using a range of data types and that you know what they are for. You then show them what you've called them. Usually these are variables or arrays, depends on what you're doing. I'd use a table format.
Don't get the data dictionary confused with the IPO charts. Check out the Bored of Studies site - the cool one not the government one, you might get some examples of other peoples to leech.
Just read the last bit - yeah they are more common with databases, so if you've done an Access thing then you will have to show your data tables and explain them, but I'd stick one in anyway, shows you we're listening. Often in 'programming' ie, Flash, ASP, VB, programmers comment their code - this is good, but it helps the examiner if they can flip between code, IPO and Dictionary documentation easily to understand what you're doing.....and if they find it easy, they'll go easy on ya! maybe,
Good luck with the project and trails.....nn[ Edited on 3-8-2005 by crewcabconnection ]
Loves a lolcat
thanks ... im at the stage where im sh*ttin myself .... should be all good thought
thanks again!
just check the 'outcomes' your teacher is assessing off - what option your doing - mine are doing software dev view of hardware, so there are a bunch of outcomes they need to meet. Just print them off, and then read your document. Do a tick list next to the outcomes sheet and see if you can nail each outcome more than once, that's what they'll do - they are often not that 'wowed' by the coding ... simple stuff is easier to mark, but they do refer what you've got to the outcomes. Don't worry too much if the project is not 100%, if it's not then there's probably an outcome that sez something like 'explains issues and considerations with software are suggests ways of solving them' ... a fancy way of saying - the damn thing doesn't do everything, but I wrote that down and said how I'd solve it......
remember it's all about hitting the outcomes over and over, so feel free to be really anal about listing things over and over - and use their terminology when you can. You really just need to show them that you know what one is and how you'd use one - do this by showing them.
Depends what weight you've got on the project too, if its worth 25+ then it's worth putting the time into it. Documentation will get you more marks than slick code with crap documentation. Just hit all the hotspots, and if you have to bs a bit, do so in order to show you are on the ball.
Loves a lolcat
Fark!
Think i'll stick to building cars......
Back when i was at school,We all wondered how the hell Pythagaris therum was gonna help us in the real world.
After reading that up top.....sheeez!
"O.S.K"
We make it happen!
coding is worth around 5% ... mostly coding is done ... a few menu items to fix up etc ... thanks for your help ...
i shall let u know how i go :thumb
Thanks!
Clint
yeah gotta remember that crap too lol:jesus
dragbug wrote:Fark!
Think i'll stick to building cars......
Back when i was at school,We all wondered how the hell Pythagaris therum was gonna help us in the real world.
After reading that up top.....sheeez!
I feel your pain then!
"O.S.K"
We make it happen!
I agree with the cars building.
Me dum panelbeta
🤪
But if we had no panel beaters there would be no nice cars ... :thumb
Helbus wrote:I agree with the cars building.
Me dum panelbeta
🤪
im glad hsc is a distant memory..
but im doin uni now.. aaarrrrrhhhhh
fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse
Fantasy
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Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity
Barrels
www.barrelman.com.au
VW Workshop - aircooledgarage.com.au
allcooled.com.au
what is worse HSC or UNI?
I bypassed HSC and got 'mature' age entry after doing STAT test. Killed the maths part of it, struggled with the english part of it, made it through with a little cushion to spare.
From the nightmare stories I hear of HSC, if you can get through yr 12 the uni will be easy. I found uni reasonably easy to bluff your way through. Its quite easy to get passes, but the high distinctions are a lot of hard work. Keep a large supply of chocolate and coke on hand. If I can make it with no idea of higher maths or computers then you'll be fine.... if thats what you are going to do.
Only a few more months of school to go... keep at it.
Chris.... kombi pilot, oval dreamer... finisher #26971 2005 city to surf
ok all done i think ... ahh well too late to worry now ...
Thanks for all ur help, its very much appreciated. :beer
Thanks!
Clint:blush
