Database Report September 2005
Database Report 2005-09-28
The current situation with the database in is as follows:
The data is contained by the relational database management system (RDBMS) Postgresql. This application is TCP/IP, that is to say data goes to and from storage via a TCP/IP interface. The RDBMS is installed on the server ada.
The RDBMS contains both the data and a description of the logical structure of the data (namely the schema ). This logical structure is expressed in the language SQL and can be thought of as forming a model of the organisation and its procedures and actions. The SQL is contained in one file - cairo.sql which can be viewed via the lan in the code repository on ada. Details for accessing this repository are given later.
Users access and operate on the data through various interfaces. Each interface is designed for the users particular function. There are currently there are three interfaces either in use or ready to go into use.
a) Rhadam. This was the first interface deployed. It is relatively complex since it includes the capacity to handle all the stages of operation from sending out application forms to delivery of the completed host. But for individual clients only. It includes a number of dialogs corresponding to the different stages. Use of this interface has not reached its intended state. Currently many individual applications are first wholly processed in the paper system and later the data entered through the various dialogs in one sitting, rather than the data being entered at the actual time of the processing stage being completed, as intended. Further work needs to be done towards paperless operations.
b) Ghad. This interface is for handling host requisition for groups and organisations. It is in a separate interface from the individual apps because of the different structure of the processes involved. It is ready to deploy, and for testing in operation to be carried out.
c) Hoplite. This is the latest interface and it is for the use of the hardware/software team to pick up and respond to build requests. The intention is for system build data to be entered through Rhadam and received and responded to via Hoplite. This would be an important step towards eliminating the present paper/digital duplication.
Packaging. The interfaces mentioned above are provided in deb packages for installation on workstations. They are located in a repository on ada. The line 'deb http://ada.cbv.prv/debian unstable main' should be added to /etc/apt/sources.list on the workstation. Then 'apt-get upgrade' and 'apt-get install rhadam | ghad | hoplite' as required.
Source Management: There is a source code repository installed on ada. General access is available via 'Trac' - a project management system, which also provides bug reporting and tracking. Access this via http://ada.cbv.prv/cgi-bin/trac.cgi. Click on the 'Browse Source' button in the bar at the top and you will be taken to the source tree.
Bug reporting and tracking. This is provided by 'Trac' which is mentioned above. Some have suggested it is not very user-friendly. For those who find it so, the plan is to provide within some (or all) interfaces a facility for automating the sending of bug reports, so the user will not have to deal with this.
Nomenclature. The name 'cairo' - Computerbank Australia Incorporated Regional Operations has been used in the past. Currently this is only used in the name cairo_db for accessing the database via Postgresql (The RDBMS can hold a number of databases, hence a name is needed to access a particular one) and for a library servicing the various interfaces. CAIRO is the name of a fairly well-known graphics library it turns out, so the plan is to phase the use of it out.
Owen Courtis
