From W

The LEAPS project started at the beginning of this week, on 31st May 2010.

Work done to date

• made decisions on software requirements
• implemented development environment
• started designing database structure
• created the development wiki for progress tracking and reporting
• created a location for displaying prototype questionnaire and other functionality

Further details

The original specification document provided choices as to what software should be implemented to support the development. LEAPS requirements in this regard were flexible, so I made decisions based on suitability and personal preference, and have implemented a suitable development environment.

• Ubuntu linux server
• Apache web server
• MySQL database
• Python programming language

These technologies can support the core functionality required whilst incurring minimal additional expense longer term; they are also ubiquitous technologies for web services, and as such will be easy to locate hosting and support for, if necessary.

The database structure design has begun. The current version of the Entity Relationship Diagram is available here.

The python programming language will be used to develop functionality on top of the database server, to provide online adminstration tools. Python is very popular in web service development, and is becoming more so; using it will open up further options for reporting and development towards the end of the project. This has been set up on the test server and initial investigative development has begun, although there is nothing viewable as yet.

A location on the test server has been specified for display of prototype questionnaires and functionality; it is available here.

What next

• Continue working towards deliverable 1 for the last week in June (as described in the project specification)
• talk to Ged next week to collect some further details re. questionnaire content
• aim to have the beginnings of a student questionnaire available for viewing by 11th June 2010

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