Java Library

Java Library is a software alternative for a real-life Library Information Management System with an RDBMS. Initially it was given as a software development project assigned by Mr. Hasan Mahmud, lecturer, Stamford University Bangladesh in Spring 2006 under the course CSI 321: Object-oriented programming II (Java). The project is not fully completed because of time constraints. Such a project of enormous database with lots of complexities require at least 5-6 months of hard work to be completed over observation of the real-life system currently running. Although the project was incomplete, it was submitted as a course completion project.

The project has been developed by two programmers working as a team – Shahzada M. Redwan and Zeenat Farzana. The main features of the database have been designed by Zeenat Farzana while most of the design of the front-end has been designed and coded by Shahzada M. Redwan. But both of them have equally worked hard for the database construction and the front end features.

The development involved MySQL at the back-end as the relational database management system (RDBMS) while Java Development Kit 1.4 (JDK) at the front-end to build the highly rich GUI featured interface of Java Library. In Java codes were written using Java IDE Borland JBuilder 9.0 throughout the development of the project.

Java Library is emphasized on the use of a barcode reader to give the best flexibility to the Librarian or user of the software. The software is highly suitable for a layperson who does not require any special IT skill to run and operate the software other than knowing how to use a computer keyboard, mouse and browse through GUI menus.

The current state of the software has features such as, purchasing books for the library, adding them to the library database for issuing to the members, updating book information, adding new member to the library, updating member information, issuing a book to a member using barcode reader, returning a book to the library from a member using barcode reader, and a special feature which allow the user to look at the database tables directly from the front-end.

Further development would include searching the database for any book or member information, searching for any issue or return record, adding and updating user information for the software, a dedicated separate author section, directly updating or deleting database entities from the front-end, barcode printer facilities, and help files to demonstrate/guide user how to operate the software.

With further work given to it for another couple of months or so including analysis of a real-life library, this project can be completed. There are a lot of changes needed in the database and also in the front-end.

The project was satisfactory for the time given to work on it. The developers learned a lot of Java tricks and tips during their work on this project. The major hard work was spent in adding and loading JTable feature to the project. It is one of the highly complex GUI features of the JDK. A total 15 Java classes were coded for the project. The developers also gained experience working in the Design template of the popular Java IDE - "Borland JBuilder".

The developers extend their gratitude and acknowledge their teacher and instructor Mr. Hasan Mahmud, who has done his best to install Java programming skill and ability to his students. We take this opportunity to thank him cordially. Thank you.

For more information about this project, please contact the developers at s.redwan@gmail.com.