Here is the Calculate Distance Window

Here is what the Calculate Distance Window looks like. It is extremely similar to the Calculate Run Time and Calculate Pace Windows. In the end, I should have just created on Generic Calculate Run Stuff class and instantiated three objects from it (or possibly inherited from it).

It is very aggravating when you find a better way of implementation when you are done. Well, that is what experience is for and it is part of "playing the game".

Use Case 5 is complete

Use case 5 was completed sometime ago. This was the use case related to saving run data to a file. It was a learning experience as was (as I predicted) the hardest of all the use cases to set up. But, it is now implemented and appears to be working fine. For this first release, I have no intentions of saving the data to a database. So, for now, the data is saved to a file, and the file is saved in ASCII format so the file can be opened by any typical text editor. I tried to get it to open with a spreadsheet and it does, but the headings at the top of the page are off and it does require the user to manually change the headings to fit on top of the columns where the data is. The data does show up in the correct columns and is columned just fine.

Lots to put in today

I have a lot to put into today. I have not kept up with the blog. Instead, most of my "blog" notes have been kept by hand by my computer. There is a lot to write and I need to get started on it today. Not only will I chronicle the success of the application development, but will put down what I have (re)discovered in making this an executable--since this was written in Java.

The point is, the application is complete. It has been tested (by me). I have requested space on sourceforge.net.

The First Four Use Cases are Complete

After three months, countless questioning and a conviction that I was an idiot for overdesigning this, the first four Use Cases are complete! That's right, a user can NOW enter in data to either determine their pace, run time OR distance ran!

Like I said earlier, it is THREE months past due. What should have been completed over a weekend took this long to complete. I over designed EVERYTHING. From the actual design to the data entry views to the modeling concepts. This whole thing could actually be done in Microsoft Excel with no problem! But I decided to be stuborn and make it more than I probably should. But, in the end, I did learn a lot! To me, as stated earlier in this blog, that was the most important part of the whole thing. That, and the fact that I wanted to blog my development process, if for no ther reason than for archiving a design. I think I will publish this design for myself. I found websites that will aid me in that effort.

Now, it is time to finish the application and complete the Use Cases by developing the last Use Case: the "Save RunData" use case. I fear that use case will be the hardest to develop. I need to learn/refamiliarize myself with Serialization. I also need to determine if I am going to go ahead and set up a database to save the data--or just put the data in a format that can be used by Microsoft Excel (or some other spreadsheet). Also, I do need to go ahead and start the work in the ACTUAL class that I am taking: A Visual Basic Class. So, I will try to split my time more evenly between this project and my class.

Got the Calculate Runtime window to display

I got the Calculate Runtime window displayed!! It took less than half the time the Calculate Pace window took! It looks extremely similar to the Calculate Pace window and that is by design. They essentially do the same thing. Keep in mind, I need to add the functionality to make it work, but at least I got it displayed.

Use Case2 is complete! Now need to focus on Use Case 3. As usual (and sometimes unfortunate) there were changes that were performed that deviated from the design. Those changes need incorporation into the design as part of the design update process. I created a Calculate Pace Window. Every button and Menu Item and Radio button works on it EXCEPT the save button. That is part of Use Case 5. That is the last thing that will need accomplishment and testing: since I honestly believe it will be the hardest thing to accomplish. As part of the Use Case realization, I got rid of the String formatting that is part of Java 6. I put in a "self invented rounding" process that is pretty obvious to anyone that has ever used Java. This was done to make as backwards compatible as possible with Java 1.4.

Now, it is onto Use Case 3. I will start with the GUI and publish online in the current blog.

Pace Calculation Almost Complete

Got the RunData object set up. It even prints out the data (albeit not completely formated). That is the next step. Need to figure out how to format strings in Java.

• Got the PaceCalculator RunData infused into the CalculatePaceWindow: I created the method: displayRunData()
• Now need to test
  • This is what I will do next time!!!