Yarmouk University

Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Sciences

Department of computer Information Systems
CIS318:Building Systems Using 4GL
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Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: CIS 260
Text Books and Readings:
Joline Morrison, Mike Morrison, and Rocky Conrad, 2006: Guide to Oracle 10g. ISBN: 0-
619-21629-8. Course Technology a division of Thomson Learning, Cambridge, MA 02142,
USA
Additional resources
John Satzinger, Robert Jackson, and Stephen Burd, 2000: Systems Analysis and Design in a
Changing World. Course Technology, a division of Thomson Learning, Cambridge, MA
02142, USA.
Chris Loosley, Frank Douglas, 1998. High-Performance Client/Server, A Guide to Building
and Managing Robust Distributed Systems. Wiley Computer Publishing, John Wiley & Sons,
New York, N.Y. 10158, USA.
Systems Analysis and Design Book used for CS366
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Any useful Database Book.

General Course Description:
High-level languages vs. 4GLs, software Engineering life cycle, selecting a 4GL, applying
features of 4GLs (including: data dictionary, nonprocedural language interactive query
facilities, report generator, screen formatter, data analysis and modeling tools, macros,
reusable code, backup and recovery, security and privacy safeguards, links to other DBMS,
links to HL languages, records and file maintenance, etc), system portability, application and
program generators. Examples of 4GLs and application case studies.

Course Objectives
This course aims at giving the students the insights of transforming manual or
semiautomatic systems into a fully computerized system.
For each system, students will go through the different stages of SA&D and then
perform the implementation using one of the fourth generation languages such as
Oracle, Ingris, etc. The focus in this course will be the usage of Oracle and its
products.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this course the students must be able to:
Design a database
create a database with the proper definitions of fields , keys and relations
Manipulate the database by building queries, form, reports,..
Teaching Methods
The course will be based on the following teaching and learning activities:
Power point presentations that cover the theoretical part
practical sessions
Course Plan:
The notion of Programming languages. Week1
o Discussing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation languages.
o Difficulties in building systems using these old languages.
o File-based approach to data processing.
Client/Server approach to building systems. Week 2
o The concept of Client/Server computing. Client/Server Approach to data
processing,
o differences between Client/Server and File-Based approaches to data
processing,
o an overview of Relational Databases.
Approaches to System Development. Week 3,4
o Methodologies, Models, Tools, and Techniques. The Structured, Information
Engineering, and
o Object-Oriented approaches to System Development. System Development
Life Cycle
o (SDLC) Variations. Waterfall Models, Variations based on iteration, variations
based on an
o emphasis on people, and variations based on speed of development.
Analysis and Design
o phases in more detail. Data Flow Diagrams (DFD).
Designing Databases. Week 5,6
o Databases and Database Management Systems. Database Models,
Relational Databases,
o Designing Relational Databases, Representing Entities, Representing
Relationships,
o Enforcing Referential Integrities, Evaluating Schema Quality.
Oracle DBMS. Week 7,8,9
o The Oracle8 environment. SQL*Plus, Query Builder, Developer; Form
Builder, Report
o Builder, PL/SQL, Triggers, Procedure Builder, and Graphic Builder.
Enterprise Manager;
o Security Manager, Storage Manager, and Instance Manager. Oracle Web
Application Server.
Applying Oracle products to building systems. Week 10,11, 12
o Creating and modifying Database tables. Using Oracle to Add, view, and
update data.
o Creating data block Forms. Creating custom Forms. Using Report Builder.
Using Graphics
o Builder.
Creating Integrated Database Applications. Week 12
o Designing Integrated Database Applications. Creating Global Path Variables.
Creating Splash
o Screens. Creating Iconic Buttons. Using Project Builder. Adding Pull-Down
menus to Forms.
o Creating Access Key selections.
Creating Web Applications using the Oracle Web Server. Week 13
o Web Basics. Web Communications and Protocols. Web Addresses. Running
Multiple Web
o Server Listeners. Static and Dynamic Web Pages. Oracle Application Server.
Creating
o Dynamic Web Pages. Using PL/SQL to process Form Inputs and HTML form
commands.
o Form Parameters.
Case Studies: week 14
o Four to five different case studies to be discussed. This include, but not
limited to, an
o Inventory tracking system, the Reliable Pharmaceutical Service System, Real
Estate Multiple
o listing System, Downtown Video Rental System, State Patrol Ticket
Processing System, All
o Shop Superstore, Spring Break R Us Travel Service Booking System, etc.