Two UIs?

[Shannon Sims]

Would it be a poor design if I chose to create two UIs instead of one? The programming assignment for Bodgitt and Scarper does not specify the number of UIs allowed ( did I overlook it ). Could I fail with two?

Thanks!

[peter wooster]

Originally posted by Shannon Sims:
Would it be a poor design if I chose to create two UIs instead of one? The programming assignment for Bodgitt and Scarper does not specify the number of UIs allowed ( did I overlook it ). Could I fail with two?

Thanks!

I have two UIs, one for the client and one for the server, the choice is made based on the startup parameter. The UIs are very similar, and share a lot of code, but one has a table and the other has a logging screen. In a way they are just variations on the same UI.

[Shannon Sims]

Peter, UI for the server, can you please clarify? Why would you have a UI for the server?

[peter wooster]

Originally posted by Shannon Sims:
Peter, UI for the server, can you please clarify? Why would you have a UI for the server?

So you can configure the server as specified in the instructions.

You could run the server without a UI. I find a server UI handy for other reasons such as shutting it down, getting help changing the config, and observing its logs.

If the server doesn't have a UI you could use the standalone client mode to configure the server, and document it in your design decisions, then a second UI isn't needed.

[Shannon Sims]

OK, thanks Peter for the clarification. I wasn't planning on having a UI for the server, my program has two UI's for the client. My first UI is basically a search window and the second allow the user to reserve the selected contractor from the first window. Perhaps I need to consider the benefits of having another UI for the server?

Thanks for your help!

[peter wooster]

Originally posted by Shannon Sims:
OK, thanks Peter for the clarification. I wasn't planning on having a UI for the server, my program has two UI's for the client. My first UI is basically a search window and the second allow the user to reserve the selected contractor from the first window. Perhaps I need to consider the benefits of having another UI for the server?

Thanks for your help!

You're welcome, I only have one UI for the client, it presents the table, a toolbar and the menus. The book, search, choose database, etc. are all provided by modal dialogs spawned by that UI.

[Andy Zhu]

Hey, I have a common gui abstract class at top and then inherited by different classes for different modes (clients has an intermediate abstract class entending the common gui). With this oo design, I can ensure the consistent look and feel.