This system demonstrates the use of forms in retrieving and presenting data. Various forms can be used dependent on the particular user's needs .

Forms were displayed which showed different levels of finding and displaying data. Using the first form (Fig 1.) as an example, it was only possible to find particular data by repeatedly clicking the next patient button until the data required was shown. Not efficient.

Moving the form to a table representation enabled the user to scroll to find particular data. Faster in this instance, but not efficient if there are large amounts of data.

The data, including labels, used for both the forms mentioned above is from the same source. Data stored in a table. The way the data is presented is known as a user view. Different users may require different views. Labels can also be altered to suit the user view. The labels on differing views may offer a different description, but the data will be the same.

Further forms demonstrated how data could be searched for in a more user friendly manner. One form required the exact spelling of the patient name. Another allowed the use of wildcards ( _ , % ) to search for names where the spelling may not be exact or unknown.

The Consultant Patients form showed a particular user view in that the Consultants own patients were presented. This demonstrated the connection or relationship between the data. This is consistent with the Patient form showing the same relationship. The only difference is in the user views of these relationships.

Search criteria can be applied to forms. This allows the entry of specific information. Different user views were used to demonstrate the different relationships within a single table of data. The forms allowed the user to specify and apply search criteria dependent on the current user view. These search criteria can be expressed using boolean operators e.g.

• (Ward Name = Lakes) and (Consultant Name = Fred)

There exists the possibility of a large number of users requiring access to tha data from a single table. However, all users may not need to have access to all data. Some data may be confidential. Access Control is required to prevent breaches of confidentiality. Access Control is also important when considering updates of the database.

Concurrent Access allows many users to view the data at the same time.

Comments, suggestions, ideas to
Stuart Banner