Dufek 1

Zach Dufek

British Literature

Mr. Rudebusch

2-17-2021

Building a Computer Part Database

The product that I will be building is a laptop part and location database. Oftentimes, parts will be

found in different locations for different laptop models, and also will need different kinds of parts.

Normally, these things can be found just by a google search, but more often than not, the answer that

you need will require some digging. The purpose of this database is to organize this information in an

easily accessible manner, so that whoever is working on the laptop can save time, and therefore save

money. It also will be a “living database,” as the user will be able to add in their own information if

what they need can’t be found, meaning that the database’s capability will grow over time.

The main idea is to have two dropdown menus, one that is the part of the laptop that you’re looking

for, like the RAM or keyboard connection, and the other is the model of laptop that you’re working

on. Once you’ve found what you need, you can click a button to direct you to the information page,

where the information is stored. Also, you will be able to create new pages to store additional

information as you see fit. The more expansive the database is, the more useful it will be. The overall

design may change, as there might be an easier way to go about achieving this goal, but the premise will

be the same.
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In terms of materials, there is not much that I will need. All I need to build this is an application that I

can write the program into, along with the information to put into the database. The real challenge

will be actually building the program. First, I need to create a list that will store the keyword for each

page, so the model of laptop and the part being searched for. Then, I need to create buttons and

dropdown menus for the program. This will be the hardest part of the product to build, as this is what

I’m most unfamiliar with building. Next, I need pages that actually have the information needed.

While this isn’t the hardest, this will likely take the longest, as finding all of the needed information will

take a long time, and then putting the information into my program will add even more needed time.

Finally, I will create what’s called a traversal, which searches through the previously created lists for the

model and parts and goes to the needed page, completing the process. I’ve made these before, so this

should be one of the easier things to build. The only problem with this is that I need to have the

previous things finished before I can build this, as a good portion of it requires the previous steps to be

finished, or at least to be in a usable state.

Overall, the process of creating the program will be fun, as seeing a project like this work is incredibly

satisfying. The two most difficult parts will be building working buttons and solving any problems that

come up while coding, as there are always problems. I’ll need to get advice from my peers, (Brandon) or

from teachers (Mrs. Tvedt). I also will have the internet, and if I end up stuck in a situation that no one

else can help with, asking a question on the internet can have fruitful results if you know where to ask,

although they often aren’t the fastest.

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I’m excited about building this, as it will challenge me to the best of my ability in coding, which is also

making me a bit apprehensive about taking this on as my product. I’m looking forward to the

challenge, but I don’t know if I can beat it. However, that’s the point of this project, to challenge my

skills and put my knowledge that I’ve gained to the test.