School Book - A Commercial School Application

[Wesley008]

Hello Everyone At VB.NET Forums.

My name is Wesley, I've been working on a Commercial Application called "School Book". Being Developed in Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 EXPRESS, using the .NET FRAMEWORK 2.0

School Book will be a Licensed Program for Schools [Teachers].

Feature's of "School Book":
> Student Sheet
> Grade Book
> Assignments
> GUI Seating Plan
> Reports
> Create A Test Wizard
> Attendance
> Event Planner
And More...

Whats Been Done:
> Courses (Create, Save, Edit, Delete Courses)
> Database (Microsoft Access)

In the Works / Tweaking:
> Students
> Assignments
> Event Planner
> Overall Graphics

Screenshots:
Splash Screen:

Courses:

Overview:

Students:


Payment:
At the moment, you will not be paid until the Application has been Released & Sold to School Boards (Currently I have a Local High School I went to thinking about purchasing)

I've been thinking about using Microsoft Grove from the M$ Suite (2007) to keep in touch with File Sharing, Meetings, etc... But for now, MSN.

[Pac_741]

Good project

[GaryMazzone]

I would recommend using SQL Server Express (or full SQL Server) rather then Access.

[Wesley008]

With SQL, don't you need a Dedicated Server for that ? And for it to be online ?

[GaryMazzone]

Not with the express version. It will run on just ablut any machine and can be started and stoped as needed. The advange is the advantage of multiple connections at the same time. Backups while the system is up. Conurance, stored procedures (quicker the in line SQL).

[Wesley008]

Let me just get this straight before I switch over:


With the SQL Express Server, its pretty much the same as a .MDB File (Access) Expect Faster?

At the moment the reason I'm using Access is because all the Data in the Database is Stored LOCALLY on their machine, I don't want it to connect to the Internet, so with this SQL will It be a Internet Database or pretty much the Exact same as Access Expect for what ?

How will Normal [N00Bs] edit the File? With Notepad, Access or What ? This is another reason I used Access so normal users can just open it up & edit contents if they didn't want to launch the App.


The Main thing I'm worried about is the Online Part - I don't want a Online Database, just a Local that is stored in the App Folder on their Machine.

[GaryMazzone]

The normal person will not every (hopefully) edit the file. The actual database is an SQL Server database file. You can set it up to startup the SQL Express on the machine and attach the file when the application starts. That way it is not running on a persons machine all the time. The file is on what every machine you want. If local then every install gets a copy of the file for work from (same as Access). Or one machine in the building gets the SQL Server Express installed the database connected to it and the application points to that server database for all users. Nothing to do with the Internet here. Or are you thinking of Intranet?

Never let the users just open the database. You should have Forgien key constraints and PKs on all tables. What if someone deletes some thing in the database and then breaks the app.

[Wesley008]

Nope, just Internet. So when I think that since its starting up SQL Server Express evertime it needs to access, wouldn't that slow down the machine a bit ? Remembers, schools (high schools, elementray schools) don't have the best computers.

[GaryMazzone]

That should not affect the machine. the app will appear to connect slow (startup) the first time in a day, or a strartup cycle for the machine.

[GaryMazzone]

Other advantage is students not being able to get into the database easily

[Wesley008]

Alright. Thanks Last question, wheres the best place to learn SQL ? I should I get a example from the Express site and work wit hthat? or Did you learn from a Website?

[GaryMazzone]

There are a couple of SQL source is on the net for writing out SQL statements. Also look in the FAQ section of the database fourm here there is a tutorial on using it.

[GaryMazzone]

I'm atcualy a DBA and do some database applications programing on the side also.

[Wesley008]

Well, if you don't mind getting paid until we sell the app (might have 2 buyers) we could use you in the team it let me program on the more application side than the SQL / Database side. Hit me up on MSN if you wish

[dclamp]

Yeah access is not the best db to go with for this type of app.

Also you need to keep competition in mind. There is a leading company that my School District uses through out the whole district, and it is all online.

Since it is accessible through the web, teachers/staff/admin/students can access the system at any time, any where. Since the DB is in one central location, students can easily be moved from class to class, or even school to school, and their grade record is maintained.

But the app looks good go far.