Pocket Expense Tracking Program

This Blog attempts to chronicle my learning and development efforts in realms of mobile computing, specifically with Microsoft compact framework.

Pocket Expense Tracking Program

Premise: Benefits of expense tracking are very well known. It helps to keep finances tightly controlled. Moreover one can study expense data to quantify spending habits and this can be used to cut down expenses. Certain reoccurring wasteful expenses can be identified and dealt with in suitable manner. A mobile enabled program in which a user can punch in exact details for each and every transaction can be very helpful as it removes the drudgery involved with writing down expenses later when the details might be lost. Features:

1. The Application should allow user to quickly punch in the Item on which expense is incurred. Ideally this information should be available in a drop down with options of adding new Item.
2. The application should store date/time of transaction.
3. User should be allowed to add some notes to each transaction.
4. This information should be stored locally on the device till the Application 'synchronizes' it with the main central repository. This central Database can exist on a Desktop and sync may occur using a web service or active Sync.

Application Architecture:

The Pocket Expense Tracking Program is a microsoftCF based application. It will save the expense in an XML file. It will use active sync to synchronies the data.

UI

• Item input comboBox: On change a new window will open. This window will allow user to choose expense.
• New Item check box:
• New Item Text Box: if checkbox is selected then new textbox should not be empty. This value should be added to items table on submit a new row will be added to table.
• Date Text Box: By default current date/time will be displayed.
• Amount Text Box:
• Notes Text Box: Multiline memo field.
• Left Menu: Submit
• Right Menu: Cancel

On submit thank you window will be displayed. Thank you window will have two options new and close. Close will close the application.

Synchronization

Synchronies with active sync. This will connect to server application. Server application will add to excel file. This will use active sync. to upload