Implications

To meet the standard, you need to ...

• address the relevant implications (A)

Below is a list of implications that you could consider. It is hoped that you will address the implications that are relevant to your database

• usability

• functionality

• aesthetics

• privacy

• social

• cultural

• end-user considerations

• legal

• ethical

• intellectual property

• accessibility

• sustainability and future-proofing

• health and safety

Relevant Implications (Databases)

Functionality involves ensuring that my pets database works as expected. This is important . . . and it is also important that it produces accurate results (queries and reports about _____ to the ________ audience) otherwise it fails in its purpose. It must also be easy and efficient for the end-user. By using the Filemaker validation tools for the gender field I ensured that it is less frustrating to enter and the user is less likely to make mistakes. Explain how this helps. You could make data entry as easy as possible and to help avoid entry errors ( for example by using Filemaker Pro's validation techniques)

Examples of how you could address functionality considerations:

• to ensure that database has all the queries, reports to allow the end user to do what they need to do when using the database

• regular and extensive testing throughout the process to ensure it stores and gives accurate information eg to ensure the fields, field properties and data you entered is accurate. Also to use the information from testing to improve the quality and functionality of the database

• testing the accuracy of the reports generated

Usability is about how easily the end-user can accomplish tasks. It deals with issues like making the interface clear and appropriate for the end-user and purpose. I have tested the database's usability with the help of a volunteer and have made changes to ensure that it is easy to use. Make notes on anything that requires changing, take before screenshot, fix the issues and then take after screenshots to show the outcome has been refined. Briefly explain how you refined the site.

Examples of how you could address functionality and usability:

• use a descriptive report title

• renaming headings for some of the fields eg last_name to Surname

• organising the data logically

• removing redundant information eg Female Pets report, remove Gender column showing female

• ensuring consistent formatting of data entered to improve usability and functionality eg date and telephone number

Privacy in relation to databases is about having control over what data is collected about a person and how it is used. When you store someone's personal information, you need to keep it secure and confidential by only allowing people with permission to access this information.

Examples of how you could address privacy considerations:

• never leaving hard copies of data/reports around

Aesthetics is about improving the look or giving it a pleasant appearance to ensure the outcome appeals to the target audience

Examples of how you could address aesthetics considerations:

• improving the look/presentation of reports

• Using the company name/logo in the reports

• producing a report that is less squashed by only selecting a few relevant fields

• order reports in a logical way

• arranging fields in a logical, user-friendly way

Accessibility involves ensuring that my database can be used by a wide audience, including those with disabilities. The colour scheme and font size I chose for the reports make it easier to read.

Future Proofing It is important to future proof the database, in other words to think ahead to other ways the database could be used in the future and how to make it as functional as possible for those uses as well

Examples (Excerpt From: Jennifer Gottschalk. “Level 1: Databases.” Apple Books

Relevant Implications (Programming)

Functionality

Is about . . . Involves . . . (making sure my program works as expected eg my program asks my age and it needs to work for a 'sensible' answer range 1 - 100. It should also accept boundary values and higher values up to early 100's. It should not crash if the user enters an unexpected age eg text, decimal like Twenty , 350, -4 etc)

It is important that my code works because . . . (if my program crashes or give incorrect, the user will become frustrated and in the real life is of no use, apart from frustration it can cause damage, injury and harm the developer's reputation).

I will do the following to ensure my program is functional . . . (test plan, expected, boundaries and unexpected, get other people to test it. . .)

Usability

Is about . . . Involves . . . is about how easily the end user can perform tasks by making it easy for users by giving clear instructions and error messages where appropriate. Is it intuitive?

It is important because. . . (if my program is hard to use, people will make mistakes and get frustrated and give up, the easier it is to use, the more popular it will be. In the real world, people will not buy and use your program and the developer will lose money).

I will do the following to ensure my program is usable by . . . (Balance user freedom and error correction. I will give clear instructions eg enter "1" for Add, "2" for Delete when asking for input. I will get people that wasn't involved in the development to test it and . . .)

Aesthetics

Is about . . . Involves . . . is about the overall appearance. A program that has well-spaced instructions, prompts and decoration around key messages is more aesthetically pleasing than a program that consists of unspaced, plain text.

It is important because. . . (as users prefer to use attractive interfaces over boring, plain interfaces).

I will do the following to ensure my program is aesthetically pleasing by . . . (using ********* before and after an output line)

Social

The specifics of a social implication depend on the outcome being developed. You will need to customise some of your explanation to take this into account.

The social implications of an outcome is about . . . Involves . . . how it affects users, the wider community and society as a whole. For example if you create a gambling game it can have a negative effect on society if there are no safeguards in place to limit users from excessive money losses.

It is important because. . . (if they are not considered and addressed, an outcome could have unintended consequences).

I will do the following to ensure my program is functional . . . (I will give clear instructions eg enter "1" for Add, "2" for Delete when asking for input. I will get people that wasn't involved in the development to test it and . . .)

Cultural

The cultural implications of an outcome is about . . . Involves . . . ensuring that the program is culturally sensitive and suitable for the culture of the intended audience and location.

It is important because. . .

I will do the following to ensure my program is appropriate for the intended audience culture. . . (I will use culturally sensitive images and text. Putting text over faces is not appropriate as is sitting on tables. I also plan on using Maori greetings and messages in the program.

Accessibility

The cultural implications of an outcome is about . . . Involves . . . ensuring that the program is accessible.

It is important because. . .

I will do the following to ensure my program is accessible. . ..

End user implications

The end user implications of an outcome is about . . . Involves . . . ensuring that the program is suitable for the intended audience.

It is important because. . . I need to consider what the end-user wants. eg is the text and images suitable for the audience? What do I plan to do to accommodate my audience. eg use formal, relaxed language and our audience is 12 - 16 year olds, gender neutral.

I will do the following to ensure my program is appropriate for the end user. . .

Sustainability and future proofing implications

The sustainability of an outcome is about . . . Involves . . . ensuring that the program is designed for future developers to be able to take over. Have you put comments in your code? Is it a modular program? Easy to update?

It is important because. . .

I will do the following to ensure my program is appropriate for the end user. . .

Intellectual Property implications

IP is about . . . Involves . . . who owns the ideas, images, text and code?

It is important because. . .

I will do the following to ensure my program is appropriate for the end user. . .

Code reuse can promote efficiency in software development; why solve a problem that has already been solved well?