Initial Project Plan( Gantt Chart Update)

 

Academic Paper Summary

 

In this writing the authors discuss prevention of unauthorized attacks on web applications because of increased amounts of data being used online. In this paper the issue of web security had been addressed to e commerce platforms and academic websites. Various vulnerabilities prevention trends had been analysed using different security methods.

Most notable vulnerability it is the invalidated input. During this process the web app fails to check the appropriate input allowing attackers to enter malicious information into the application avoiding the app security. Solution proposed for this vulnerability could be a validity check on inputted parameters based on data types. Another common vulnerability noticed is the improper error management. This technique it is used by attackers to insert errors inside the web application interfering with app functionality and creating error messages.  To increase security, it is advised to restrict the error messages based on users’ credentials and build a feature that will allow applications to display the correct error massage.  

Furthermore, the increase of security risk had been noticed in Academia because of continuous growth in terms of data and volume variety. Most common vulnerabilities in academia refer to unnecessary access that creates numerous opportunities for attackers. A restricted access inside the university’s portal could reduce the risk of being targeted. To protect databases, it is advised to use different servers, use encryption for backup files and implement firewalls to prevent attacks on websites through SQL injections. Furthermore, operating system can increase security by installing intrusion detecting system, secure installation and configuration systems that identify and eliminate insignificant applications and services.

Authors suggested that governments should create laws and regulations regarding web attacks and ensure that these will be implemented accordingly. A concern had been raised on companies that should be responsible for their security and identify vulnerabilities and adopt adequate solution. Another concerning aspect is the fast pace this field has, and it is not advised the use of low security IDE platforms to create website and applications. In conclusion this paper covers various aspects of security models used in the field of academics, e-commerce and present solution that help increasing security on operating systems and databases.

References

Yadav, Gupta, Singh, Kumar and Sharma, 2018. Vulnerabilities and Security of Web Applications. [online] Ieeexplore.ieee.org. Available at: <https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=8777558&casa_token=VMY2dpPHyz4AAAAA:-G2OjlTremUJ8AFvNT-vd3XqKmUFRIll_ZPRUxJEddv9Jvoo6OsdeLehmh3JS4lqI6NtRCwIBg> [Accessed 7 June 2022].

Software ( Example )

In the previous post we analyzed Microsoft Visual Studio, what functionalities and features has, and types of edition. To experience more with Visual Studio and actually see how it feels to work with it, I made a small quiz game project and this post will cover the necessary steps to complete it. 

       I. Start of the project:

         II. Adding images to game

- This operation must be made before we start the design of the game

- Pictures name must be referenced accordingly ( .jpg, .png) into our code. I experienced some complications because of the pictures name however with the help of IntelliSense feature I managed to overcome this. 

          III. Game Window Design 

 

One interesting aspect I noticed during this operation is that if we move the position of name, question or button answers it will set automatically the new position or size into our code.

         IV. Adding Game Features

        V. Results

   - After the code lines have been written for this feature I run a test simulation and underneath we can see the result. During the test, inside the "Diagnostic Tools" window, we can notice the impact that our project has on our PC allowing us to correct potential issues from this stage.

       VI. Code Lines for Questions

      VII. Random Questions Test

- Another Test Run had been executed to make sure that our questions are randomized and the result had been a success as we can notice in the next screenshot.

       VIII. Questions&&Answer Case Scenario

- It is important that we tag the correct answer during this step. Failing to do so will result in no correct answer found.

IX. Check Correct Answer

X. Answer Button Design

- To proceed to the next question player must double-click on answer button 

XI. Complete Project 

-Finally the last screenshot will show my final project window and the added features 

This is my first experience with a project of this type and with an IDE software. At the start of the project I was a bit overwhelmed since my coding skills are not strong and I had no experience with Visual Studio however after a few hours everything started to be normal and excitement increased. My coding and IDE knowledge  are not strong and unfortunately I can not provide a professional review however, from a beginner point of view I believe that Visual Studio, with all the support features included, it is the ideal IDE for beginners. Inside code editor support, code line suggestions, error library and solution make indeed a massive difference for someone with basic coding skills.

References

Microsoft, 2022. Overview of Visual Studio. [online] Docs.microsoft.com. Available at: <https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/get-started/visual-studio-ide?view=vs-2022> [Accessed 4 June 2022].

Software ( Functionalities )

Microsoft Visual Studio

 

Visual Studio it is an IDE provided by Microsoft in three editions. The Community version it is an open-source version available for the public on Microsoft website. Professional and Enterprise versions offer a free trial however to access the entire functionalities, these two versions require a subscription. In today post we will analyse the functionalities of Visual Studio and the features that is been equipped.

This post will focus on Community version of Visual Studio 2022 that is open-source and it supports 64-bit which allows developers to use their computers at maximum capacity to create large scale projects (Warren, 2022). The software comes with download options for majority of programming languages. In addition, it has equipped a Linux Development C++ as a workload. In terms of functionality Visual Studio can be considered one of the most complete IDE available for developers (TechSpot, 2022).

I. Software Interface:

It is equipped with a friendly User interface offering two options: a dark theme and a bright theme to accommodate users with view conditions or simply users’ preferences. The software interface follows a model met in the majority of IDE type program’s(Gamefromscratch, 2022). 

It allows the deployment of app when finalized, most notable software Azure deployment. One interesting aspect is Extensions, a feature that Visual Studio its equipped with. This option allows developers to add and use outside extension that might be required for their work. To facilitate collaboration and learning Visual Studio offers Live Share, an option that allow users to share with their team directly from the program (Microsoft, 2022). This feature it is essential as it allow teams to communicate more effectively rather than wasting time with screenshots.

Furthermore, the latest version of Visual Studio brings an impressive pack of features namely:  quick actions, deep code details, hot reload, integrated debugging, and debug code. In addition, Visual Studio has a new set of icons that include majority of IDE aspects.

Interface its beginners friendly making it the ideal place to learn coding. It also includes Break Points, a debugging tool that allow developers to set a point where debugger execution stops. For example, if a developer wants to test a sequence from the code Break Points allow them to do that without the need to run the entire code.

Hot Reload Function:

      Hot Reload it is a feature that allow users to apply changes to their code immediately without stopping the application. The main purpose of Hot Reload is to increase productivity and eliminate the time lost caused by edits during app restarts, rebuild and navigation back to initial point (Microsoft, 2022). The changes made to the app can be seen immediately once the Hot Reload it is executed.

App Design Window:

The Main Coding Window can have multiple tab windows however in general there will be only two windows. One of them it is designated for app interface. In these windows the aesthetics of the app are being realised.

II. Inside Code Editor Window:

Visual Studio Offers a wide range of build in support. In the underneath picture we can notice some of these options that offers support for users.

Error Notifications:

While coding if an error had been detected it will be highlighted with red. Once this happened the user will be provided some options as follow:

Error identification and fix suggestions where the users receive information about coding line and an Error tag, CS1002 in our case, that will provide the user with a solution found online.

Code Snippets:

The code Editor received also updates and perhaps the most notable of all is improved IntelliCode. Similar with phone typing suggestion, IntelliCode it is an AI code assistant that can suggest up to a full line of code. It identifies what will be next in our code based on a library that includes thousands of open-source projects available online (Microsoft, 2022). This feature also offers suggestions for code syntax which are essential for beginners.

• In addition to what we have covered earlier Visual Studio has other features worth mentioning briefly:
•   Code clean-up: with this option developers can choose a preferred coding style with one click only
• Comment out code: Allow user to add comments to coding lines that might be useful in the future
• Collapse code blocks: it can hide code rows or entire coding blocks
•  Deep code details: this option help developers to identify parts of the code that require further attention or fixing.

In conclusion, we can assume that Visual Studio it is a strong, software program suited for beginners and experienced developers. The open-source version itself offers a comprehensive pack of features, libraries, programming languages, platforms, project, and templates. The Code AI Assistant it is crucial for beginners, and I believe that will have a massive impact on their learning. The next post will include a project realised in Visual Studio with minimum coding skills and it will offer more details regarding Visual Studio inside and its functions.

 

References

Gamefromscratch, 2022. Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 Preview. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bTbpwtQ6SY> [Accessed 3 June 2022].

Microsoft, 2022. Compare Visual Studio Product Offerings | Visual Studio. [online] Visual Studio. Available at: <https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/compare/> [Accessed 4 June 2022].

Microsoft, 2022. Overview of Visual Studio. [online] Docs.microsoft.com. Available at: <https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/get-started/visual-studio-ide?view=vs-2022> [Accessed 3 June 2022].

Microsoft, 2022. Visual Studio IntelliCode | Visual Studio - Visual Studio. [online] Visual Studio. Available at: <https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/services/intellicode/> [Accessed 3 June 2022].

TechSpot, 2022. Visual Studio 2022. [online] TechSpot. Available at: <https://www.techspot.com/downloads/7493-visual-studio-2022.html> [Accessed 3 June 2022].

Warren, 2022. Microsoft is making a native Arm version of Visual Studio 2022 and a mini PC. [online] The Verge. Available at: <https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/24/23139475/microsoft-visual-studio-2022-native-arm-vs-code> [Accessed 3 June 2022].

Software (Overview)

 

Visual Studio 2022 IDE

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) it is a software that creates and brings together tools namely: text editors, code library, compilers, and test platforms, under the form of service, application, or framework. Without the support of an IDE, developers must select, deploy, integrate, and manage all these tools separately (Gillies, 2018). In UK, between 2017 and 2022 software development market raised per year on average of 5% and it reached a market size of $37.7 bn according to IBISWorld (2021). Technology sector has a fast-moving space and with the help of IDE software’s developers manage to meet deadlines and satisfy customers’ needs and requirements. Today’s post will provide an overview of an IDE software example namely, Microsoft Visual Studio IDE.

Microsoft Visual Studio it is an IDE that provides developers with an elaborate launching pad that facilitates debugging, editing, app building and app publication. Microsoft advertised interesting new updates on this software which promise to offer all the aspects and tools that a developer might need (Microsoft, 2022).

In addition, a comparison, in terms of supported features, had been made between Visual Studio editions:

·     Community version: it is free, rich featured, extensible IDE ideal for students or public. An ideal IDE for creating modern applications for Android, iOS, Windows, as well as web applications and cloud services.

 

·    Professional version: In addition to Community version, we have developer tools, services, and subscription benefits for small teams.

 

·    Enterprise: Integrated development environment for targeting any app, any language, any platform. It provides an end-to-end solution for teams of any size with demanding quality and scale needs (Microsoft, 2022).

We can notice from our table that even though Community version it is an open-source version it is still equipped with majority of essential tools and features that an individual developer requires to accomplish his projects. In terms of performance and features Visual Studio it is one of the most complete programs that a developer might require. Functionalities and features encountered in this software are numerous and we will cover them into a future post.

References

Carbonnelle, 2022. TOP IDE Top Integrated Development Environment index. [online] Pypl.github.io. Available at: <https://pypl.github.io/IDE.html> [Accessed 5 June 2022].

Gillis, 2018. What is integrated development environment (IDE)? - Definition from WhatIs.com. [online] SearchSoftwareQuality. Available at: <https://www.techtarget.com/searchsoftwarequality/definition/integrated-development-environment> [Accessed 4 June 2022].

IbisWorld, 2022. IBISWorld - Industry Market Research, Reports, and Statistics. [online] Ibisworld.com. Available at: <https://www.ibisworld.com/united-kingdom/market-size/software-development/#:~:text=past%205%20years%3F-,The%20market%20size%20of%20the%20Software%20Development%20industry%20in%20the,average%20between%202017%20and%202022.> [Accessed 4 June 2022].

Microsoft, 2022. Visual Studio 2022 | Download for free. [online] Visual Studio. Available at: <https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/> [Accessed 4 June 2022].

Primary Research (Project Theme Analysis)

 

Blackboard data and results

The second part of my survey focused on Blackboard; an application provided by universities for students with the purpose of facilitating learning system. This section will focus on the pillars of the app namely, usability, user experience, security, and stability. Majority of participants from this survey are students and we collected their feedback regarding negative aspects of Blackboard and future features requested by students

The above bar chart reflects Blackboard access rate made by students on a 1 to 5 scale. The results in this particular case proved to be positive. The app it is been accessed very often by students with a percentage of 63.6% whilst 27.3% of students access blackboard often. Some negative data are present here where 9.1% of students admit that they kept a neutral position reported to the use of Blackboard application.

On the above chart we can analyse Blackboard performance. To facilitate this research, we focused on in app experience, app usability, security, and stability. 

When asked their opinion regarding in app experience 57.5 % of participants responded that they are very satisfied, 27,3% are partially satisfied. On the centre of the scale, we have 9.1% of the participants are neutral and lastly another 9.1% among participants are disappointed.

Furthermore, results related with Blackboard usability showed that only 18.2% of the participants are excited. Majority of participants accountable of 72.7% are partly satisfied and only 9.1% are neutral.

Another aspect that seemed essential for this research was public attitude in terms of app security. Study shows that participants are very satisfied and partly satisfied in equal proportions of 45.5% while only 9.1% are neutral.

The last factor in our research is the stability of the app which provided concerning results. A proportion of 27.3 % are very satisfied with app stability, 36.4% of participants proved to be partly satisfied. In terms of neutrality, we discovered a percentage 36.4. These statistics show opportunity for improvement for Blackboard especially in terms of usability and user experience. The app showed potential, and we can see that it could offer much more for its users. 

At the end of this survey, we asked students to provide feedback on Blackboard negative aspects and potential features that they might find useful. The negative feedback offered by participants consists of the absence of in-app timetables, content disappearing feature, authentication required too often, app design and layout, phone Blackboard app usability.

Students express interest in potential features namely: Event icons, easier access to a typical lecture, students chat room, student’s forum, more efficiency for use on phone. 

To conclude, we notice from this research that Blackboard overall has positive marks however certain aspects could be improved. It seems that usability it is the main concern for this application followed by app design that seemed to be confusing for students. Students also made some interesting suggestions namely students chat room. This could facilitate group assignments for students and could help students to find participants or associates for future projects. It is sufficient to say that even though Blackboard proved to have an overall of positive results in our survey, the app itself has great potential that could be achieved, potential that could improve students experience with this application.

Primary Research (Demographic Analysis)

         Analysis of Demographic data and results 

The first set of questions from our survey aims to collect information that will help us understand our audience and eventually their needs. An audience with a rich complexity can raise challenges for developers in their attempt to please and fulfill customer’s needs. In addition, the application itself requires a solid structure to perform exceptionally in terms of security, usability, user experience and stability. 

First chart from my research focus on participants gender and suggests that a proportion of 72.7% from the survey participants are male, whilst female participants hold a proportion of 27.3%. The results were expected since the field of Computer Science has a majority of male participants.

Next chart recorded the age of the participants. The majority age of participants (45.3%) can be found between 16-25 years old. Second majority (30.3%) it is relatively close with participants age between 26-35 years old. Third category of participants (23.4%) has an age between 36-45 years old. We can assume, according with these data, that Computer Science field has members with a variety of age, which suggest that people's interest in this sector can be encountered across all age categories. 

This chart analysed the regional data. We can notice that majority of the participants (55%) have a background located in Central and Eastern Europe. Participants with African background represent a percentage of 27% whilst Western Europe hold only 18%. An observation must be made here. Majority of the participants in this survey are colleagues from university and some have Asian background. We assume the data its corrupted and it cannot be considered reliable since Asian background option has no data recorded. 

In terms of education among the members of participants in this survey a percentage of 54.5% of members achieved a college degree level. Those that achieved High-School represent 36.4%. Surprisingly a proportion of 9.1% among participants reached a master’s or doctorate level of education which suggest that Computer Science field it is considered among people that aim for a career in a new field.

In the last chart we collected results of data related with participants employments. We can find various employment conditions with employed participants representing 64%. Second, we found Self-Employed members with 18%. While Students and unemployed participants represent 9% individually. 

In conclusion, the first set of data collected by our survey proved that Computer Science attracts people with different ages, different backgrounds and different occupational status. After analyzing the results, we can assume that Computer Science field offers opportunities for a variety of people and can accommodate people with different backgrounds, age, gender and careers.