Data entry system under MS DOS

• Main Authors: So, Alexander T., Magdaluyo, Victoria M.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1986
• Subjects: Electronic data processing > Data entry; Operating systems (Computers); Computer Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/4093
• Institution: De La Salle University

The main objective of this study is to develop a data entry software package that would eliminate or do without programming. The specific objectives of the study are the following: 1) to identify the various routines which are common in a data entry system and incorporate them in the data entry software package. 2) to determine the validity checks frequently used by the system and include them in the data entry system to be developed. 3) to identify commands and the corresponding control keys for the operator to use and implement them in the softwre. 4) to look into existing software packages of similar nature. 5) to design the software that would be user-friendly. The data gathered by the group came from interviews done with systems analysts and programmers. Research was also done on related literature, software engineering, software psychology, existing software packages, and available computer programming languages. Valuable ideas were contributed by the thesis adviser who was vital source of information for the group. It was found out from the interviews conducted with programmers that most data entry programs developed for data entry systems contain common routines. These common routines are: a) file initialization b) addition of records c) updating or changing of records d) query (display of record) e) deletion of record from file f) validation. Researched findings are as follows: 1) On related literature: a) the input program is the most complex, tedious, and time consuming in the entire system. b) The errors in input are a major operating problem and affects the system very much. c) Therefore, validation must be present and data must be checked upon entry as much as possible. 2) On software psychology. User control is a very important factor of any computerized system. Systems designed to enhance this factor are very much preferred. The system should be forgiving when the users commit mistakes. It should also be dependable and important to the users. The users should have easy access to the system. 3) On existing software packages. Software packages for data entry systems generate programs for the user upon specification of screen layout and file format. These packages have certain features that could be a basis for the requirements of the group's software. 4) On programming languages. The programming language used for the development of the software was PASCAL. The study has come up with a data entry software that would satisfy the following needs: 1) the need to create or modify the system with ease. 2) the need to re-program the system when changes are applied. 3) the need to determine a set of commands and the corresponding control keys that an operator could use. 4) the need to lessen the chances of error in the creation or modification of the system. In conclusion, the group's software will make the development of data entry systems faster and easier. It has accomplished the specific objectives identified previously. The group makes the following recommendations for the enhancement of the software: 1) To implement the system such that the data entered through the microcomputer could be transmitted directly to a mainframe or minicomputer. 2) To develop a utility that would convert a previously defined file structure to a newly defined one. 3) To add some more features to the software. 4) To have color variaton if a colored monitor is used. 5) To implement a protection scheme for sensitive data.