FirstBase(R) Standard Applications: Chip Tracking

Standard Applications

Chip Tracking System

The FirstBase Chip Tracking System (CTS) is used to track the production and testing of computer chips.

The Chip Tracking System contains three database definitions, each with automatic indexes. These three databases are named test, subtest and spec. The test database is used to store static or global information about each test, its major function, origin, location, description, and a large fields for Test Notes.

Purchase the chip tracking system for $195.

The Major Function field is implemented as a choice field. The same choice field definition file is used in the spec database.

The test database does not have any link fields -- it is a stand alone database. The test autoindex (also named test) is sorted by Test Name. Each record of the test database must have a unique Test Name. FirstBase ensures this design choice using the autoindex feature.

The subtest database is used to enter any number of records that are related to a single test record. The subtest definition includes some of the fields of the test database as Links. This feature enables the user to verify that the test record being edited in subtest points to the proper test record. An autoindex named subtest is also maintained -- it too is sorted by Test Name.

Other information stored in the subtest record includes the SubTest Label and the SubTest Specification List. The specification list is edited using any editor desired, like vi or emacs. The specification list is used to store SpecID's, one per line, that a particular SubTest record is written for.

The third Chip Tracking database is spec. This database contains descriptions of various specifications used to design and document test/subtest requirements. Each spec record is tagged with a unique SpecID to enable other databases to get a hold of a single spec record.

Other information stored in the spec database includes a non-unique Specification Name, a Major Function field (the same choice file as used for the test database), the case method, a specification description, and a general purpose notes field.

The spec database does not link directly to any other database, although it does use the same choice file description for Major Function. The SpecName field could be a choice field itself, if the list of names is fairly finite. The spec database maintains an autoindex, also named spec, sorted by SpecID, which will automatically be incremented for newly added records.

The Chip Tracking System contains many pre-defined reports, and includes a custom report generator capable of ad hoc queries. Generated reports can list any field values, sorted in any way.

For more information, see the FirstBase RDBMS Application Builder.