This lesson provides an overview of ALT 1: Interactive Information Systems.

You'll learn about the task, review relevant skills from previous modules, brainstorm ideas, form teams, and reflect on your approach. 

ALT 1 focuses on creating an interactive information system, which is essentially a database-driven website or application that allows users to interact with data. For example, think of a system where users can add, view, update, or delete information, like a simple online library catalogue or a student grade tracker.

Before diving into ALT 1, let's review what you've learnt in prior modules. This will help you build on your existing skills.

From Introduction to Web Frontend: In this module, you learnt the fundamentals of building web pages that users can interact with directly in their browsers.

HTML forms the backbone by providing structure, allowing you to create essential elements such as headings, paragraphs, lists, and interactive forms for user input.

CSS enhances the visual appeal and usability by handling styling, including colours, fonts, layouts, and responsive designs that adapt to different screen sizes.

JavaScript brings interactivity to life, enabling features like dynamic form validation (e.g., checking if an email address is correctly formatted before submission), event handling (such as button clicks), and updating page content without needing to reload the entire page. For instance, you might have created a simple registration form that uses JavaScript to provide instant feedback on input errors.

From Python Web Backend: This module introduced you to server-side programming, where the magic of data processing and storage happens behind the scenes. You explored Flask, a flexible and lightweight web framework in Python, which allows you to build web applications efficiently.

Key skills included setting up routes to handle different types of HTTP requests (like GET for retrieving data and POST for submitting forms), rendering dynamic templates using Jinja2 to display data from the server, and integrating with databases for persistent storage.

With SQLite, a straightforward embedded database, you practised essential SQL operations: SELECT to query and retrieve specific data, INSERT to add new records, UPDATE to modify existing information, and DELETE to remove unwanted entries. For example, you could have built a basic web app that stores user-submitted notes in a database and displays them on a webpage, demonstrating how backend logic connects user actions to data management.

In ALT 1, you'll work in teams to design and build an interactive information system. This is essentially a web-based application that uses a database to manage and interact with data in meaningful ways. The artefact must include:

• A database to store information securely and efficiently.
• A user interface for interacting with the data (e.g., CRUD operations: Create new entries, Read or view existing data, Update information, and Delete records as needed).
• Additional features like search functionality, filtering options (e.g., by date or category), or user authentication to control access.

The system should solve a real-world problem, such as managing event registrations, tracking inventory in a small business, or organising a community library's book loans. It must be user-friendly, with intuitive navigation and clear layouts, and demonstrate good design principles like accessibility and responsiveness across devices.

You should follow structured stages to develop your project:

1. Plan (define the problem and requirements)
2. Design Database (create schemas for tables and relationships)
3. Build Backend (set up server logic and database interactions)
4. Develop Frontend (create the user-facing interface)
5. Test (check for bugs and usability)
6. Refine (make improvements based on feedback).

ALTs are team-based tasks, designed to encourage collaboration and allow you to combine your strengths with others. Teams should consist of 2-4 students, making it easier to divide tasks and share ideas effectively.

Instructions:

1. Discuss with your classmates to form a team based on shared interests or complementary skills. For example, if you're strong in frontend design, pair up with someone who enjoys backend coding.
2. Assign roles within the team to ensure everyone contributes uniquely: for instance, one person could focus on database design, another on frontend development, someone else on backend logic, and another on testing and debugging.
3. Decide on communication tools to stay connected, such as shared online documents, and group chats. Also, set up a regular meeting schedule, perhaps weekly check-ins, to track progress and address any issues.