CPE 5020 Global Software

Introduction

This assignment adapts the first assignment to the Web environment. Instead of a standalone application, this assignment uses a standard Web browser such as Firefox, IE or Opera to display localised text.

This assignment internationalises basic data entry forms about a product and an order form for the product.

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 an HTTP server backend that can present localised forms to collect and display information. The forms will need to have

• All text elements should be shown in the language of the user's chosen locale
• The first form should initially be displayed using the browser's locale. If this locale cannot be handled by the server, then it should use a default locale such as English. A selection box within the form should allow change of locale to a different one
• 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
• The server side should be capable of handling 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)
• You can use multiple HTML pages, servlets or JSP

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

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)

Server negotiation

Use server-side negotiation to deliver appropriate locales, with a fallback locale if the server cannot handle any of the user's preferences

Alternative technologies

Implement the pages using multiple technologies e.g. if you used servlets, then an extension could use JSP (and vide versa); if you used multiple pages, use a servlet

Multiple technologies

Use a servlet forwarding to a JSP

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 noon, Friday June 3, the end of week 13. Unofficially, they will be accepted upto noon on Monday June 6. Hand it in to the SCSSE office, level 4 building C