HSU library has a book borrowing system (BLS) which consists of self-charging kiosks (SCK) where the users (students and staff) can borrow books. Furthermore, the system also has an online query function which allows users to view their circulation records.

A book-borrowing transaction at the self-charging kiosks includes the following functions:

• user identification validation;
• borrowing limit check on the number of borrowing items (different for students and staff users);
• determination of borrowing periods, which are different for student and staff, and for different types of books (general circulation, periodicals, references).

For user identification validation, the barcode on the student/staff card is used to access the user database to find a match, and the users identity is further validated through password. The user proceeds to the scanning of books if the provided password is valid, otherwise a message is displayed. Using the book barcode data and details from the user database, the system checks the borrowing limit and determines the date of return of each book. Transaction details for each book borrowed are written to a transaction log in the database. An acknowledgement receipt is printed and an email is sent to the user. A users borrowing records can be viewed on the online query function.

(a) Name four inputs of the self-charging kiosks during a book borrowing transaction as described above, and also state the data entry method for each one.

1.

2.

3.

4.

(4 marks)

(b) What data should be stored in the systems database i) prior to any book borrowing transaction and ii) at the end of every book borrowing transaction?

i. Data already in database prior to any borrowing transaction:

1.

2.

3.

ii. Data to be updated or entered into the database at the end of a borrowing transaction:

1.

2.

3.