CHANDINI DUDHNATH

UNIT 12 ASSIGNMENT
2

Table of Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................ 2
User requirements............................................................................................. 3
Purpose and audience....................................................................................... 3
Problem definition statement..........................................................................3
Description of main tasks.................................................................................4
Data structures................................................................................................... 4
Algorithms........................................................................................................... 4
Test plan.............................................................................................................. 5
Predefined programs......................................................................................... 5
Pseudo code........................................................................................................ 6
Source code......................................................................................................... 6
Navigation/hierarchy diagram.........................................................................7
Data validation................................................................................................... 7
Screen layouts and navigation........................................................................7
Design 1............................................................................................................ 8
........................................................................................................................... 8
Design constraints.......................................................................................... 8
Design 2............................................................................................................ 9
Design constraints.......................................................................................... 9
Design 3.......................................................................................................... 10
......................................................................................................................... 10
Design constraints........................................................................................ 10
Nominated solution.......................................................................................... 11
Flowchart........................................................................................................... 12
............................................................................................................................ 12
Conclusion......................................................................................................... 13
Bibliography...................................................................................................... 14

Introduction
For this assignment we were given the following scenario, The manager
in charge of the currency exchange in a local HSBC bank has asked you to
design a program which can convert different currencies based on a given
exchange rate. You should explain how your design meets the user
requirements when addressing the problem.
The following are the user requirements that the currency exchanger has
too meet; User requirements:
Should have at least 4 currency types
Correctly calculate the exchanged amount between any of the
currencies
Export function to record all currency exchanges
Import function to read previously exported exchanges
User friendly
Aesthetically pleasing

User requirements
The user requirements for this software are as follows
Should have at least 4 currency types
Correctly calculate the exchanged amount between any of the
currencies
Export function to record all currency exchanges
Import function to read previously exported exchanges
User friendly
Aesthetically pleasing
These are the basic user requirements for the software.

Purpose and audience

The purpose of this software is to exchange one currency to another
(currency exchanger). This means it can be used by people going on
holiday to exchange the currency to the currency of the destination that
they are going to. It can also be used by businesses.

Problem definition statement

The problem definition statement for this assignment would be whatever
potential problem the user is coming across and how this can be fixed.
Currently there is no code to this currency exchanger meaning that it does
not work.
Physically, currency converters dont always look aesthetically pleasing.
This an instantly turns users and puts them of using the program. An
interface which looks appealing enhances the general user experience. It
also makes the program look more professional.
There should be multiple currencies which the user can convert from. This
in turn enhances the user experience making it useful for a wider range of
people.

Description of main tasks

This programs main task is to convert currencies meaning it should
reliably convert one currency to another. It should be able to convert the
currencies quickly and efficiently. The user will have to enter an amount
that they want to convert and then which currency they want to covert to.
The currency converter needs to have inputs, outputs, result box, previous
conversion and a drop down menu so that the user can choose what
currency they want. The user will also want a program which works
efficiently and not lag. This means that the program should be able to
handle large amounts of data

Data structures
A data structure is a method of organising data so that the data can be
use quickly and efficiently. An example of data structures are as follows;
arrays, associate array, union and more. The most commonly used data
structure is an array. Arrays can store large amounts of data which means
that the program can run smoothly. I am planning to use decimal and
integers as data types in my program, to store the Amount and Rate.

Algorithms
An algorithm is a set of operations performed to reach to an answer. They
are usually used in computers to help them perform tasks.

cv inputs the
User
amount they
want to
convert.

The user clicks

the calculate
button.

The user
selects the
currency they
are in

Amount and
rate =
decimal

If amount and
rate do not
equal to
decimal, then
display error

The user then

selects the
currency they
want to convert

Output
result

Test plan
Testing the program is important because it helps us maintain and fix
problems. Below is a test plan table I created for when I test plan my final
design

Test Number

What is being
tested

Data used

Expected
Result

I am testing if
the currency
converter
works correctly

1 converting
to US dollars

1.52

Actual Result

2
3

Predefined programs
One of the key benefits to software development is reusability.
Reusability is the technique of reusing the same segment of code either in
the same software program or in a completely different software program
(provided that I have the permission to do so). You will find that most
software programs contain duplicate segments of code, with perhaps
some tweaks made by programmers to customise it for their own purpose.
One reason for reusing code is that time can be saved if the code has
already been written.
It is important to emphasise that I need to seek permission to use code
written by someone else, especially if you need to seek permission to use
code written by someone else, especially if I intend to use it in your own
software program. If I am going to reuse code, make sure you
acknowledge the source in you software programs comments. (Page
392-393, reference is in the bibliography)

Pseudo code
Pseudo code is used to show how the proposed software program will be
written and presented. This form of code uses human language and
contains a series of brief statements describing what the code will be
doing. Pseudo code will help you understand the structure of the software
program before you start to write it. (Page 390, reference is in the
bibliography)
Start program
User enters an amount as a number
They then choose a currency
They then press the calculate button
The program processes it
The program processes it by making sure all the data is valid and
can use arrays to organise the data
The program outputs a number
End program

Source code
I have not made any code however this is an example of some code.

Navigation/hierarchy diagram

This is a navigation diagram to show the different screens of the program and
what the program will do at each screen. The first screen will be the main page
where the user inputs the data. The second page is where the user can view the
previous transactions. The last page is the end.

Data validation
Data validation is the process of checking data. The data must undergo a
series of validation checks, which makes sure the data is correct and
presented in the right way. For example, entering text characters instead
of numbers in a numeric field on a form should result in an error. (Page
391, reference in the bibliography)

Screen layouts and navigation

For this assignment I have come up with 3 designs of potential currency
converters which I will go one to make. This is to help the user understand what
the final product will look like.

Design 1

The above picture is my first design. This design includes two amount and
currency boxes, a drop-down menu with four currencies to choose from
and a calculate button. This particular design is very simple which makes
it easy to use and understand.

Design constraints
Although this design is very simple and stripped back the colour scheme
does not fit in with the design. It also doesnt look very professional. There
are also only four currencies to choose from and it does not store previous
conversions. Also this design will only be available in for one user
interface making it not very portable which limits the amount of people
that can use it.

Design 2

The above picture is my second design. This design has a red theme
running through it to tie in with the HSBC logo. This design again is very
simple and stripped back meaning it is easy to use. I have included an
amount, rate, calculate and four buttons with different currency selections
on them.

Design constraints
Although this design is very simple and stripped it doesnt look very
professional. There are also only four currencies to choose from and it
does not store previous conversions. Also this design will only be available
in for one user interface making it not very portable which limits the
amount of people that can use it.

Design 3

The amount is entered in

this box then the user has
to click one of the four
currency
buttons
to
choose which currency
they want to convert to.
Once they have done that
they click the calculate

Previous

The above picture is my third design. This is going to be my final design. As you
can see I have used have HSBC logo and there slogan The worlds local bank In
my opinion this makes the design look professional and makes it clear that it is a
HSBC currency converter. There is an amount and calculate button and there are
four currency buttons to choose from. Again this design is very simple.

Design constraints
Although this is more professional than the others, it does need to edited t a bit
more because physically it doesnt look right. Also there are only 4 currencies to
choose from. As well as this the design will only be available in one user
interface.

Nominated solution
My nominated solution is my third design. I have chosen this solution
because overall, it has a better appearance and also contains a previous
conversions button. Below is an image of my nominated design. This
design includes an amount button, a calculate button, different currencies
to choose from and a previous conversions button which I am going to add
later. I am going to further tweak my design because currently there are
only four currencies to choose from.
This particular designs contains the HSBC logo and it also contains their
logo the worlds local bank. This mean it is clear that it belongs to HSBC.
It also looks the best out of all of the designs and is very simple and easy
to use. I am also planning on adding instructions to help users understand
how to use the program.

Flowchart
Start

User inputs
amount into
the amount
box

They then
choose a
currency.

Then then click

the calculate
button to
calculate the
answer

End

Error
message
pops up if
the
program
crashes

Conclusion
For this assignment I have made a design for a currency converter. I have
chosen my nominated solution because I felt it was most appropriate.

Bibliography
http://www.google.co.uk/search?
q=hsbc+world+map&safe=active&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&e
i=b3ncVLbvG8G7UZvngbAJ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=944&bih=951#imgdii=_&
imgrc=ZMOHVRCgH_XtwM%253A%3Bx-X4w8A8v35BZM%3Bhttp%253A%252F
%252Fwww.faqability.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads
%252F2013%252F07%252FHSBC3.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F
%252Fwww.faqability.com%252F%253Fproject%253Dhsbc-butterfly
%3B800%3B479 Design 2, world map background

http://www.google.co.uk/search?
q=hsbc+world+map&safe=active&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&e
i=b3ncVLbvG8G7UZvngbAJ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=944&bih=951#safe=acti
ve&tbm=isch&q=hsbc+logo&imgdii=_&imgrc=5X7rrQjDotClwM%253A
%3BKyL2vQdNBgfd1M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Flogok.org%252Fwp-content
%252Fuploads%252F2014%252F06%252FHSBC_logo.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F
%252Flogok.org%252Fhsbc-logo%252F%3B1600%3B1200 Design 1, 3 and 4,
HSBC logo

BTEC FIRST- INFORMATION AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY textbook

http://www.vbasic.net/how-to-create-a-currency-converter-in-visual-basic-net/ example of code