Project Design

Question 1

Explain what is a domain name?

Answer 1

The domain name refers to the name of the web server and is usually selected to be the same as the name of the company, and the extension will indicate its type.

Question 2

What are the E-commerce Technologies Layers? Give examples for each layer.

Answer 2

Application
e.g. Online Shop, CRM, SCM , Procurement Platform

Platform
e.g. .NET, Java, Web app server, CMS, Portal

Middleware
e.g. Web Server, DBMS, SOA, APIs, WSDL

Basic Technologies
e.g. TCP/IP, FTP, WWW, HTTP, SMTp, HTML, XML, Database

Question 3

What are the world wide web, HTTP, and URL?

Answer 3

A collection of computer files stored on different locations around the world, together with a standard for transfer and display of information between computers

Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML)

URL = Uniform Resource Locator is like a home postcode/zipcode

Question 4

What does TCP stand for? Then how does FTP work?

Answer 4

TCP = Transmission Control Protocol

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) = to transfer file between one host to another host over TCP.

Question 5

What’s the deal with Middleware? Examples?

Answer 5

Middleware consists of technologies building the link between hardware and application software.

.NET : Software development platform, it’s used to create and run software application.

Application Programming Interface (API) : communication protocol between different parts of a computer program.

Question 6

Examples of Platform layer and what they do?

Answer 6

Web Server : is a virtual computer, which helps deliver web content that can be accessed . through the internet.

Portal: is a central entry and navigation point to provide access to a virtual area and to deliver additional info to the user.

Question 7

What is the application layer? what are examples?

Answer 7

Application is a basis of software architecture for the E-Commerce area/m-commerce applications.

Online Shop: it is a website for retail sales direct to consumers.

Content Relationship Management (CMS): is an approach of software application to manage a company’s interaction with current and potential customers.

Supply Management System (SCM) : is a logistic is management of the flow of goods, data, and finances related to a product or service, from the procurement of raw materials to the delivery of the product at its final destination.

Question 8

What are the system components for e-commerce ?

Answer 8

• User Interface
• Customer Database
• Catalog (a database of product/goods)
• Stock database (A database of goods e.g. clothes)
• Management accounts database (summary information about clothes purchased etc)
• A Marketplace for customer (marketplace for sale of clothes)

Question 9

What design methods do typical e-commerce projects use?

Answer 9

> Traditional software engineering design methods

  - Functional descriptions
  - Database design methods (e.g. E-R diagrams)

> Use-case scenarios
- Descriptions of typical usage situations

> Interaction Analyses

  - Interaction Diagrams
  - Interaction Protocols

> Prototypes

> Film & advertising industry design methods
- e.g. User montages, navigation path diagrams,
storyboards, mock-ups.

Question 10

What different navigational structures can an e-commerce site have?

Answer 10

1. Hierarchal Structure
2. Linear Structure
3. Grid Structure
4. Hyperlink Structure

Question 11

What is the interface designer responsible for?

Answer 11

The Interface designer is responsible for the entire experience of an end-user as they interact with the web-site/mobile app.

Question 12

What development method do e-commerce applications usually use?

Answer 12

E-commerce application usually use Rapid applications development (RAD) methods.

Question 13

What are the common stages for iterative development in e-commerce?

Answer 13

1. Create initial system specifications
2. Build prototype v1
3. Assess prototype and refine specifications
4. Build prototype v2
5. Repeat assessment and refinement