To clear the confusion about data conversion tool (DCT). This was the part of earlier version of the assignment, which had the ASCII data file. Then you have to write the DCT to convert it to binary format. The new version of assignemt already has the db in the binary format, hence the DCT is irrelevant.
I have the old version (got it on 10/15/2000) and initially thought the DCT will give me some extra work. Now, after finishing it (it took 3-4 days of research/thinking and 4-5 hours of coding/debugging), I can say it was not bad at all. I learned very interested classes and know a bit more about
Java.
Good luck with FBN,
Ihor.