CPE 5020 Global Software

Introduction

Two simple forms relevant to commerce applications are an information form about a product and an order form for the product. This assignment internationalises such forms. The first form will start off in the default locale but can be reset to any desired locale from menu entries. Both forms will then display fields as appropriate to the chosen locale.

This assignment has graded levels. The simplest version will be given a Pass if done satisfactorily, but to gain higher grades more features will have to be added.

Details

You will need to implement a Java Swing application that can present localised forms to collect user information. The forms will need to have

• All text elements should be shown in the language of the current locale
• A menu that will have File (Save, Quit) entries, and Locale (Country, Language) entries
• The only "active" elements in the locale menu should be those for which there is a resource bundle - all other menu elements should be disabled
• The first form should display information about a product: a short title (e.g. "D-Link Wireless Router"), a description of two or three lines, a Unit Price in an appropriate currency and a "Buy now" button
• The second form should allow entry of name and title (e.g. "Prof Jan Newmarch") as three fields, a quantity a credit card number and a country. The country should be given as a list with contries appropriate to the current locale first in the list
• You should use text field single line entry fields and drop-down menus for the user to enter information
• There should be resource bundles for locales with languages
  • using Latin characters, left-to-right
  • using non-Latin characters, left-to-right
  • right to left (you can fake it by using English strings with right-to-left enforced)

Deliverables

You should hand in the following

• A statement of which level of assessment you are aiming at, and the parts you have completed
• UML diagrams showing the classes and their linkages
• Hard-copy listings of all classes
• Electronic copies of all classes
• Instructions about how to install and run the application

You will be asked to demonstrate your system. This will be in the tutorial following the week of submission.

Assignment levels

General comments:

• The quality of classes and of code for methods will be assessed. Poor quality code will lose marks. In particular, sloppy indentation will be regarded as an indicator of erroneous code.
• Consistency between specifications, diagrams and code will be checked

Pass level

As described above

Extra level

The specification given above will gain a Pass grade if done satisfactorily. Higher grades will be given on completion of additional functionality. Each additional function will gain an extra grade (to a maximum of HD). The additional functions are

Input methods

Implement an input method for at least one language

Soft inputs

Much s/w imposes "hard" limits on inputs. For example, only allowing two characters for the value of "State" (since the US has states which only have two characters in their abbreviations: CA, NY, VI, etc). Make all entry fields have a "default" format, but allow the user to enter other formats if they really want to (after appropriate information messages)

Errors

All error messages ("can't save file", "first name can't be empty", etc) to be shown in the current locale

File save and restore

Save and restore information from files. On save, there should be a choice of file formats e.g. Big5, UTF-8

View menu

A View menu should offer a choice of fonts that will display text in the current locale and set this font in all text elements

Final level

The final level will be the sum of all extensions.

There are other possible extensions which may be worth exploring, Discuss any ideas you have with your lecturer.

Group size

This assignment (and the next one) may be done individually or in groups of two. An individual assignment will need to cover as much ground as an assignment done by two people. Requests to form a group of three or more will not be accepted, even if your partner disappears the day before the assignment is due, having done no work.

Due date

The assignment is due by 4pm, Friday Sept 8, the end of week 8. Hand it in to the FIT office, level 6 building H.