Elemental Quiz Is in Progress

I have continued planning out the periodic table program, which I now officially call Elemental Quiz.

Instead of using XML, I decided to use a database, specifically MS SQL. It is probably faster, and easier to retrieve data.

The schema was something that continuously bothered me though. However, with the help of a friend, I think I have most of it finally. There are still some minor details to work out, but I will work out those when I get to them.

For now, I created the first three tables that I need, and have started on the administrative section, in order to add new elements and their data.

My major problem right now is regarding the element data. I am calling these data fields, and the fields may have many types, including text, integer, number, and multiple answers, where multiple answers obviously requires one to choose multiple answers instead of just one. I am pretty sure that some elements have several classifications, so that is why I have introduced this type.

The problem is that once I create a new field, I want to be able to enter the possible answers right away if “multiple answers” is selected. I don’t’ want to have it on the same page, though, as that’d get messy when editing. The only thing I can think of right now is to have a separate page to which the user is redirected after adding the new field, where he/she may enter the number of answers the element can possibly have. That is, the number of options there are. On the next page, then, there would be enough fields to enter each of these answers.

The other option is to enter one answer per page, and have two buttons: add another answer, or finish. I actually think that this method sounds decent, so I might do it that way.

After I do this, and start to add the data, I will have to work on creating the actual quiz functionality. That will be quite interesting indeed, but hopefully I can make it work very well.

Unfortunately, this web site probably won’t have anything resembling a design at first, since I simply can’t afford one right now. However, I am going to save up for a couple of months and so hopefully then can hire someone to make one for me. Until then, I have plenty of time to implement these features, and perhaps find people who don’t mind the lack of design.

If you have any suggestions about this program, please let me know.

Currently, I have many features in mind. There will be many types of quizzes, including quizzes that allow you to choose your level, or that adapt to your knowledge level, and increase or decrease in difficulty as you get better or worse. It should vary widely from the easiest of questions, to the unimaginably difficult. You may even be able to select what kind of questions you would like to be asked, and about which data of the elements.