Problem and Purpose: In An Online User Interface for Tracking Stock Portfolios, I aim to create a single destination for viewing past performance, current conditions, and future possibilities. Users will be able to view a wide variety of data analyzing previous decisions, assessing present status,and recommending potential investments.
Hypothesis: As this project is not strictly an endeavor in research, aiming for a finished product, I will create An Online User Interface for Tracking Stock Portfolios. Hypotheses for creating the individual components of the project will be made through testing the original code for its ability to obtain the desired results. This process will be repeated until the product is created.
Procedure: This project, which primarily uses PHP and MySQL, consists of four main phases. The first major step is extensive research of online user interfaces, database organization, and data retrieval. Following this preparatory period, the interface is created with a basic level of functionality. Next, advice and analysis are combined with a refined interface that is marked by thoroughness and ease of use. Finally, all features are further enhanced to incorporate additional conclusions of the related project in a final testing of sample portfolios. The actual course of my endeavors is as follows in a list of the iterations completed and scheduled:
Quarter I: Research of Internet languages and online
interfaces
Quarter II: Obtaining pertinent data
Quarter III: Displaying data in a preliminary interface
Quarter IV: Completing and enhancing the interface
Materials: I am using a computer with the Linux OS and access to the Internet (for research of topics related to the project, reference to the lnaguages used to code the project, and testing the results of the project), printers, and other resources in the Computer Systems Research Laboratory.
Observations: I maintain a journal to record my progress and observations. Daily entries note progress made toward weekly goals, describing attempts to achieve the objectives of the project and the results of my efforts.
Results: The results are currently visible on the project homepage. Users can enter a ticker symbol in a PHP form; the resulting page displays technical data regarding the stock of the corresponding company. Ultimately, the interface will be separate from this portfolio. [NOTE: This change has occurred.—Joseph Hess (01 April 2003)]
Analysis: Reports written in the iterative cycle serve to explain progress and methods. Additionally, I conduct a comprehensive analysis of these aspects of the project on a quarterly basis.
Conclusion: The purpose will be accomplished with an online financial manager that provides detailed analysis of stock movements and personalized advice, presented according to the aesthetic preferences of the user. Ideas for endeavors beyond the interface obtained will be proposed alongside final statements regarding the interface.