Actually it is the client's DATA, not necessarily the database that must be worked with. Existing databases are not sacrosanct. The data is. It is still the developers' task to present what the client wants presented. Thus the front end must be done first. After that is settled, then the developer works on the needed data manipulation to get what the client wants from his application. This was a task of mine when the client presented a collage of databases, in widely varied formats, most of which got imported into a new database structure to feed the previously prototyped front end. They got what they wanted, and were able to deal with specific data as they wanted. They were very pleased to no longer have to query one dataset and copy and paste it into another and then run combined queries against that in order to do their analysis. We prototyped the existing data flow including the required human intervention, and then demonstrated how the majority of it could be automated, consolidated and made simpler. The back end code was a bear to do, but once we (the coders) knew what they wanted, we saw to it that they got it. Contract completed on time, within budget, and generated much larger contracts to follow. No hotfixes have been required. The developers were able to choose their own choice of development tools, and database product. No licenses for overkill were required to be purchased, nor were tools purchased that were inadequate to do the job.
Are we on the same track here? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Nunamaker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, June 09, 2002 6:02 PM Subject: RE: Prototype or what? But there are situations where a client has an existing database that you have to build your site around too. New projects should build the database last, but you don't always have that luxury. Tom ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bUrFMa.bV0Kx9 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
