SIM SelectTools for Applied PTAC: Using VB.NET Interfaced with Access Databases

1. SIM SelectTools for Applied PTAC:Using VB.NET Interfaced with Access Databases Zahra N. Taha Thesis Presentation 05/02/2007

2. Overview • McQuay International and Selection Programs • Thesis Project Defined • Programming Language • Database Application • Software Development Challenges • Application Development • Software Architectural Models • Results • Further Work • Acknowledgments • Questions?

3. McQuay International & Select Tools Programs • McQuay International is the 3rd Largest Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Company in the World • Annual sales/revenues over $1 Billion • Employs over 5000 people • McQuay developed Internal Software Program called McQuay SelectTools™ • Summer 2006 Internship

4. Thesis Project Defined • My goal is to develop a functional program that would allow any user to: • Configure a Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) • View specifications for the PTAC Air Conditioner • Purchase the PTAC • I will simulate McQuay’s Selection Program, calling it: SIM SelectTools for Applied PTAC

5. Programming Language Why Visual Basic vs. Visual C++? • McQuay Programmers used VB • Opportunity to learn a new language Advantages: • Syntactically easier than C++ • Easier to develop the GUI Disadvantages: • VB User Interface Controls are much harder to employ

6. Database Application Why MS Access vs. SQL? • Visual Studios 2003 version would only connect to Access Databases Advantages: • Interfaces well with other Microsoft Windows programs Disadvantages: • None

7. Software Development Challenges • Visual Basic 2003 has fewer application tools than Visual Basic 2005 • There are fewer references for Visual Basic 2003 • VB 2003 references are not “real-world” application development friendly • Infragistics™ or like programs are expensive, costing $1500.00 or more • I am a student and not a 10 Year Programming Veteran

8. Application Development • Given these challenges, I needed to: • Develop requirements – MPS 402 work • Design • Evaluate interface systems • Determine database design • Code • Test & Debug • Deploy

9. Context Model • SIM SelectTools Program • User Interface • PTAC_Data DB • Purchase DB Application DB

10. Application Database Model • Design: Name: Applied PTAC, description, creation date, and a modification date • Node: Name: Base Tag input and type of .ptac • Link: Name: Base Tag input and type of .ptac • Label: Name: Base Tag input and an icon

11. SIM SelectTools for Applied PTAC

12. Features of the SIM • Configure PTAC: Rating vs. Quick Quote • Price Check PTACs • Save and Delete PTAC Applications • View PTAC Diagrams • View PTAC Data Specifications

13. Results Running the Program: • Code for setting up the connection to the database • Populating the drop down lists with data

14. Further Work • Finish Save & Delete Options (Nodes corresponding to number of applications open) • Create, Populate, and Calculate Purchase Price of Selected PTAC using Datagrid Binding. • Finish Tool Bar Options • Quantity Bar error message when entering “ ”

15. Acknowledgements • Ron Morfei • Allen Hena – The VB GURU! • Professor Tom Stiadle • Professor Carol Shilepsky • Alynn • Everyone who babysat for me

16. Questions?