Developing a Relational Database Application Prototype for Detailed Instrumentation Engineering

Abstract

The research problem of this thesis was to study how to dispose of the disadvantages of the file-system approach in information control of detailed instrumentation engineering data. The main objectives of the solution were to reduce data redundancy and separate data from report templates. The problem was solved for one case project's engineering data by developing a relational database application prototype designed to manage detailed instrumentation data of the case project. The objective was also to find and document a systematic development process and data models that can be used in future projects for developing a new project-specific database application for information control. The development process started from defining the initial requirements for the database application by analyzing case project's reports. UML was used to develop the use cases and conceptual schema. The application was implemented by using Microsoft Access and tested by using ad-hoc and model-based testing. The database application prototype developed in this thesis was able to hold all data of the case project with minimal redundancy and separation between data and report templates. Compared to the file-based approach of the case project, it could be possible to save time, reduce likelihood for errors, and allow multiple users accessing the data simultaneously by using the developed database application. The documented design process and data models of this thesis can be used to develop new applications for future projects if schedules of the projects enable careful database design to be done.