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Lesson 10 Form and Input Design
Lesson 10 Form and Input Design
SYSTEM DESIGN
LESSON 10
FORM AND INPUT DESIGN
INTRODUCTION
In the previous lesson, we have learned several types of output and how to design a good
report and output for information system. In this lesson 10, we will explain how to design forms
and input for the system design. Input design is the third activity involved during the system
design. This lesson consists of two sections:
overview of form and input design
graphical user interface controls for input
guidelines for good form and screen design
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to :
define the importance of input design
list and explain graphical user interface controls for input
describe and construct a good form and screen based on guidelines for good form and
screen design
TERMINOLOGY
No Word Definition
1 Form A business document contains predefined data and may include
certain parts to be filled in
2 Input Whatever a system takes from its environment to fulfill its purpose
System
Analysis
System
Maintenance
Radio button
Check box
Button
Figure 10-2 shows an example of drop down list. A drop down list is a control that requires that
a user select a data item’s value from a list of possible choices. Drop down list is represented
using a rectangular and contains one or more rows from a list of possible choices. Drop down
list can have a large number of possible values may include scroll bars for navigating to the rest
of the choices. Normally, drop down list is used in representing a large number of values. A set
of values are represented and needed to scroll down so all the rest will be appears when users
scroll down the list. Users need to select only one value from the list as the input.
What are the differences between using radio button and drop down list? Both controls require
users to select only one value from the available list. But, by using drop down list, the amount of
space provided can be minimized since the value in the list appears once we scroll down the
list. Same with other controls, drop down list also should be accompanied by its description
about the input. It’s recommend that the drop down list have a highlighted default value. We
should carefully designed the drop down list’s value to make it easy for users to scan and scroll
down, and users are not wrongly select.
10.2.5 Buttons
Figure 10-2 shows that there are two buttons; SUBMIT and BACK button. Button is not an input
control. But, input form is not complete without button. The use of button indicates the process
that need to be done with the data input. Buttons allow users to commit all of the data to be
processed, or cancel a transaction. Once users click the button, all values selected will be sent
to the application.
10.2.6 Exercises
Answer TRUE or for FALSE for each of the questions below.
If users find the screen is attractive, they feel happy to use the screen, so, it will make them
more productive, need less assistance and make fewer errors. When designing a screen, we
need to consider two types of user; novice user and expert user. Novice users is a person who
have less experience and knowledge in using computer and expert user in a person who have
much experience in using computer. So, novice users need more assistance more than expert
users. Besides that, screen design should be easy for them as a novice user to understand and
use; but sometimes, it makes the expert user feels bored. That’s why in certain cases. There is
a need to design two types of screen; they can switch each other to choose which one they
prefer.
Besides this, there are many other ways how to attract user. Using different types of font is good
to enhance differentiation between categories. The use of graphics, animations is sometimes
useful in screen; for example when designing a screen for children’s system.
10.3.7 Exercises
Answer TRUE or for FALSE for each of the questions below.
1. A form designed should be followed and meets its purpose. TRUE
2. The best way to attract users when interacting with a form is, designed an attractive forms.
TRUE
3. A form should be flow from right to left. FALSE
4. Two types of users should be considered when designing a form; novice users and expert
users. TRUE
5. When designing a web form, scrolling technique has been used to facilitate the user’s
movement. TRUE
SUMMARY
This is the end of lesson Ten. In this lesson, we have learned :
overview of form and input design
GUI controls for input
guidelines for good form and screen design
In the next lesson, we will discuss the fourth activity involved during the system design; user
interface design. Interface is an interaction between user and system. It’s a method which users
interact with an information system.
SELF ASSESSMENT
Fill in with the correct answer
1. ________________________ has been identified during the system requirement process.
System input
5. ________________________ is used when users need to select only one value from the
set of available values. Radio button
6. ________________________ is used when users are able to select one or more than one
values or may be none from the set of the values. Check box
9. Form should flow from left to right and three main sections of a form;
________________________, ________________________ and
________________________heading; body and signature and verification
10. Keeping the data entry fields in the same place for every screen helps to maintain the
screen ________________________. consistency