A Genealogy System for the Web

Matthew A. Page

November 20, 2002

System Overview

Goals Develop a system that would display genealogy

data over the web and allow people to add their own data.

Why? To make my wife happy.

Description

Display Genealogy data from Database Allow users to add/upload data Allow admin to…

Add/Delete users Approve data Import uploaded files

Data Formats

GedXML file<FamilyRec Id="FM001">

<HusbFath><Link Target="IndividualRec" Ref="IN001"/>

</HusbFath><WifeMoth>

<Link Target="IndividualRec" Ref="IN002"/><FamilyNbr>2 </FamilyNbr><!-- Her second marriage or family -->

</WifeMoth><Child>

<Link Target="IndividualRec" Ref="IN003"/><ChildNbr>1</ChildNbr><!-- Child's order in family, if birth dates unknown -->

</Child><Child>

<Link Target="IndividualRec" Ref="IN004"/><ChildNbr>2</ChildNbr><RelToFath>adopted</RelToFath>

</Child></FamilyRec>

System Architecture

PHP server side language MySQL database management system Linux Operating System Smattering of Javascript and HTML

How created…

Prototyping Client was unsure of what she wanted exactly Fuzziness of requirements didn’t lead to

difficulties, though. Make it work and then make it pretty.

Design Methodology

Fusebox Methodology One central entry point All internal links point to that one page Distributed to correct place from there Easier security, modifications and development

Algorithms and Data Structures

Simple ‘tree’ array to store data for the tree view

XML import – Class to store new People Class to store new Families

Timelines

Conclusions

Successfully delivered a website to the client I learned:

More about PHP and MySQL Fusebox Architecture Better Project management skills

Home Page

Tree View

Person View

Tree View

Family View

Admin Tools

Questions?