- How to Identify the Scope and Boundary of a Count
- How to Count ILFs and EIFs
- Some Typical Errors in Identifying ILFs and EIFs
- How to Count EIs
- How to Count Transactions
- Some Typical Errors in Identifying EIs
- How to Count EQs
- Some Typical Errors in Identifying EQs
- How to Count EOs
- Some Typical Errors in Identifying EOs
- Source
How to Count EQs
An external inquiry (EQ) is an elementary process that retrieves information from an ILF or EIF and sends it outside the application boundary. The processing logic contains no mathematical formulas or calculations, creates no derived data, does not maintain an ILF during processing, and does not alter the behavior of the application. Although there may not be an input side to an EQ (that is, it could be generated internally), an output result (in any media, including files, diskettes, and emails) must exit the application boundary. Data must be retrieved from one or more ILFs or EIFs. Traditionally, EQs are user functions such as view, lookup, display, browse, or drop-down list boxes that retrieve dynamic (not hard-coded static) data.
Users of a tracking system within the Department of Motor Vehicles have the ability to inquire on an eight-digit license number and state. The output side of the inquiry displays information about the registered owner record. On the input side, users can enter up to eight digits of a license number and state, if known. If the user (for example, a state police officer) recalls only a portion of the number (such as K U K ? ? ? ? ?), pick lists are available to help identify colors of the license plates and model codes for the vehicles.
The following pick lists are available:
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State abbreviations
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Color codes
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Model codes
How many EQs would you count?
Count one EQ for the return of the entire registered owner record. In a situation such as this, the input side may actually have more DETs than the output display. Count each pick list that contains dynamic (user-maintained) information the first time that it appears within an application. The state pick list probably contains static information and, if so, should not be counted as an EQ.