B. M. S.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
(Autonomous Institute, Affiliated to VTU, Belagavi)
Post Box No.: 1908, Bull Temple Road, Bengaluru – 560 019

DEPARTMENT OF MACHINE LEARNING

Academic Year: 2023-2024 (Session: April 2024 – August 2024)

Design and Analysis of Algorithms

(24AM4PCDAA)

ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT TOOL (AAT)

Student database management using quicksort

Submitted by
Student Name: Syeda Kulsum Unnisa
Hannah Biju Punnoose
Dheeraj S
Radhika Agarwal
USN: 1BM22AI168
1BM22AI163
1BM22AI167
1BM22AI103
Date: 22-07-2024
Semester & Section: 4TH SEMESTER 4B
Total Pages:
Student Signature:

Valuation Report (to be filled by the faculty)

Score:
Faculty In-charge:
Faculty Signature:
with date
ABSTRACT

This project introduces a Student Management System developed using Python and Tkinter, designed
to efficiently manage and organize student records. The system offers a range of functionalities
including the addition, deletion, and searching of student records, as well as the sorting of these
records using the QuickSort algorithm. The application allows users to input student data, such as
names and fields of study, and automatically assigns unique roll numbers based on these details. The
use of QuickSort ensures that records are sorted quickly and efficiently, even as the dataset grows.
Additionally, the system supports reading from and writing to CSV files, enabling data persistence
and easy integration with existing data sources. By providing a user-friendly graphical interface, the
system simplifies administrative tasks and enhances the management of student information in
educational institutions.

Furthermore, the project underscores the importance of efficient data management and user
experience in educational tools. The integration of QuickSort not only improves performance but also
demonstrates the practical application of algorithms in real-world scenarios. The system’s design
emphasizes robustness and ease of use, making it a valuable asset for administrators and educators
seeking to streamline their data management processes. This comprehensive approach ensures that
the Student Management System is not only functional but also adaptable to the evolving needs of
educational institutions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

CH.
TITLE PAGE NO.
NO.

Abstract 1

Table Of Contents 2

1 Introduction

1.1 About the domain 3

1.2 Scope and Objectives 4-5

2 Detailed design architecture

2.1 Proposed system architecture 6-8

2.2 Design architecture 9-11
2.3 Methodology 12-15
3 Implementation

3.1 About the Code 16-19

4 Results and Discussions 20-21

5 Conclusion and Future enhancement 22-23

6 References 24
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 About the Domain:

In today’s educational environment, managing student data efficiently is of paramount

importance. Educational institutions handle a vast amount of data related to students,
including personal details, academic records, and extracurricular activities. This data is
critical for administrative functions, such as enrollment, grading, and student support
services. With the increasing complexity and volume of data, traditional manual methods
of managing this information are becoming increasingly impractical. As a result, there is a
growing need for automated systems that can handle and organize student data more
effectively.

The domain of student data management systems encompasses a broad range of

functionalities designed to simplify the administration of educational records. These
systems are developed to perform tasks such as storing and retrieving student information,
generating reports, and maintaining accurate records. By automating these processes,
institutions can reduce errors, save time, and provide more reliable data for decision-
making. The integration of algorithms like QuickSort for sorting and searching student
records further enhances the efficiency of these systems, making it easier to handle large
datasets and quickly access relevant information.

Moreover, student data management systems often include features for data analysis and
reporting, allowing institutions to gain insights into student performance and trends. Such
insights can be used to make informed decisions about curriculum design, resource
allocation, and student support. In addition, these systems can improve communication
between students, parents, and educators by providing a centralized platform for accessing
and managing student information. Overall, the domain of student data management is
integral to modern educational administration, providing the tools and technologies needed
to streamline operations and support the educational mission of institutions.

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1.2 Scope and Objectives

Scope
The scope of this project is to develop a comprehensive Student Management System that
addresses key administrative needs within educational institutions. The system is designed to
handle various aspects of student record management, including adding new student entries,
deleting records, searching for students, and sorting data efficiently. It utilizes Python
programming and the Tkinter library to create a graphical user interface (GUI) that enhances
user interaction and data manipulation. The system is also equipped with functionality to read
from and write to CSV files, ensuring data persistence and compatibility with existing data
formats. This scope ensures that the system can be easily integrated into the daily operations of
educational institutions and used effectively by administrative staff.

Objectives

1. User Interface Development: Design and implement a user-friendly GUI using Tkinter
to facilitate easy interaction with the system. The interface will include options for
adding, deleting, searching, and sorting student records, providing an intuitive
experience for users with varying levels of technical expertise.
2. Record Management: Develop functionalities for managing student records, including
adding new students, deleting existing entries, and searching for students by name. This
objective aims to streamline administrative tasks and improve efficiency in handling
student data.
3. Efficient Data Sorting: Implement the QuickSort algorithm to ensure that student
records are sorted quickly and efficiently by name. This objective focuses on optimizing
the performance of the system, particularly when dealing with large datasets.

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4. Data Persistence: Enable the system to read from and write to CSV files, allowing for
the storage and retrieval of student data between sessions. This ensures that data is
preserved and can be easily integrated with other systems or data sources.
5. Roll Number Allocation: Develop a method to generate and assign unique roll numbers
to students based on their field of study. This objective aims to standardize roll number
assignment and enhance the organization of student records.

Overall, the project aims to deliver a robust and functional Student Management System that
meets the administrative needs of educational institutions, improves data management
efficiency, and provides a reliable tool for handling student records.

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Chapter 2
DETAILED DESIGN ARCHITECTURE

2.1 Proposed system architecture

The proposed architecture of the Student Management System is designed to ensure efficient
management of student records through a well-defined structure and seamless interaction between
its components. The architecture consists of several key layers and components, each serving a
specific function in the system.

1. User Interface (UI) Layer

The User Interface layer is built using Tkinter, a Python library for creating graphical user
interfaces. This layer is responsible for providing a user-friendly and interactive experience. The
UI includes:
i. Main Window: Displays the primary interface where users can perform various actions
such as uploading files, adding, deleting, and searching student records.
ii. Forms and Entry Fields: Allow users to input student information, such as names and
fields of study, as well as search and delete records.
iii. Buttons and Controls: Provide functionality to trigger actions like adding a new
student, searching for a student, or saving data. Each button is linked to specific
functions in the application.

2. Business Logic Layer

i. The Business Logic layer handles the core functionalities and operations of the system.
This layer is responsible for:
ii. Student Class: Defines the structure of a student record, including attributes like name,
field of study, and roll number. It also includes methods to represent student information
as a string.
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iii. Data Management Functions: Includes functions for adding new students, deleting
records, and searching for students. These functions interact with the student data and
update the records accordingly.
iv. Sorting and Allocation: Implements the QuickSort algorithm for sorting student
records by name and a method to allocate unique roll numbers based on the field of
study. This ensures that the data is organized and easily accessible.

3. Data Access Layer

The Data Access layer manages the storage and retrieval of student data. It includes:
i. File Operations: Functions to read from and write to CSV files, enabling data
persistence. This layer ensures that student records are stored in a file format that can be
easily accessed and modified.
ii. Data Validation: Validates data during reading and writing processes to ensure that only
correctly formatted records are processed and stored. It handles any discrepancies or
errors in the data.

4. Integration and Control

The Integration and Control component connects the various layers and ensures smooth operation
of the system. It includes:
i. File Upload and Save: Manages the file dialog for uploading and saving CSV files. This
component ensures that the system can read existing data and save new records
efficiently.
ii. Event Handlers: Functions that handle user interactions, such as button clicks, and
trigger the corresponding actions in the system. These handlers ensure that user input is
processed correctly and updates are reflected in the UI.

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System Flow
i. Initialization: The system starts by displaying the main window. Users can upload an
existing CSV file containing student data or start with an empty list.
ii. Data Management: Users can add new students, delete existing records, or search for
specific students. The system updates the student list and displays relevant information.
iii. Sorting and Roll Number Allocation: Upon uploading or modifying data, the system
sorts the student records using QuickSort and allocates roll numbers based on the field
of study.
iv. Data Persistence: Users can save the updated student records to a CSV file. The system
writes the data to the file and confirms the successful operation.
This proposed architecture ensures a clear separation of concerns, promotes modularity, and
enhances the maintainability and scalability of the Student Management System.

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2.2 Design architecture

Quicksort operates on the principle of divide-and-conquer:

Divide: Partition the array into two sub-arrays based on a pivot element.
Conquer: Recursively sort the sub-arrays.
Combine: Merge the sorted sub-arrays to obtain the sorted array.
Steps in Quicksort:
Partitioning:

i. Choose a pivot element from the array. There are different strategies for selecting the
pivot, such as picking the first element, the last element, the median-of-three (median of
first, middle, and last elements), or using a randomized pivot.
ii. Rearrange the array such that all elements less than the pivot come before it, and all
elements greater than the pivot come after it. After partitioning, the pivot is in its final
sorted position.
iii. This step ensures that the pivot is in its correct position and elements to its left are
smaller, while elements to its right are larger.
Recursion:

i. Apply Quicksort recursively to the sub-arrays on either side of the pivot (left and right
partitions).
ii. This recursive process continues until the base case is reached, typically when sub-arrays
have zero or one element, which are inherently sorted.
Combining:

Since each recursion sorts the sub-arrays in place, no additional combining step is
necessary beyond ensuring the recursive calls have completed.

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Detailed Steps:
i. Partition Function:
ii. Choose a pivot.
iii. Initialize two pointers: one starting at the beginning of the array (or sub-array), and one
at the end.
iv. Move these pointers towards each other, swapping elements if they are on the wrong
side of the pivot.
v. Continue until the pointers meet. The position where they meet is the final position of
the pivot.

Recursive Quicksort Function:

i. If the array has more than one element, partition the array into two parts using the
partition function.
ii. Recursively apply quicksort to the left and right partitions.

Complexity:

Time Complexity:
Average case: O(n log n)
Worst case (if poorly chosen pivot, e.g., sorted array): O(n^2)
Best case (balanced partitions): O(n log n)

Space Complexity:
O(log n) due to recursive calls (for stack space).
Implementation Considerations:
Choosing a Pivot:

Pivot choice significantly affects performance. Strategies like median-of-three or random

pivoting can help mitigate worst-case scenarios.
In-Place Sorting:

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Quicksort is typically implemented in-place, meaning it doesn't require extra space proportional
to the size of the input array.

Handling Equal Elements:

Ensure the partitioning step properly handles arrays with many duplicate elements to avoid
inefficient partitions.

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2.3 Methodology
The methodology for developing the Student Management System involves several stages, from
requirement gathering and design to implementation, testing, and deployment. This structured
approach ensures that the system meets user needs and operates efficiently and reliably.

1. Requirement Gathering and Analysis

In this phase, the requirements for the Student Management System are identified and analyzed.
This involves:
i. Stakeholder Interviews: Conducting interviews with potential users and other
stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations.
ii. Requirement Documentation: Creating a detailed document outlining the functional
and non-functional requirements of the system.
iii. Feasibility Study: Analyzing the feasibility of the project in terms of technical,
economic, and operational aspects.

2. System Design
The design phase involves creating a blueprint for the system. This includes:
i. High-Level Design: Defining the overall architecture of the system, including the key
components and their interactions.
ii. Detailed Design: Specifying the design of each component in detail, including data
structures, algorithms, and user interface layouts.
iii. Design Review: Reviewing the design with stakeholders and experts to ensure it meets
the requirements and is feasible to implement.

3. Implementation
The implementation phase involves coding the system according to the design specifications.
This includes:
i. Environment Setup: Setting up the development environment, including necessary
software and tools.
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ii. Coding: Writing the code for each component of the system, including the UI, business
logic, and data access layers.
iii. Integration: Integrating the components to form a complete system and ensuring they
work together seamlessly.

4. Testing
Testing is crucial to ensure the system operates correctly and meets the requirements. This
includes:
i. Unit Testing: Testing individual components to ensure they function correctly in
isolation.
ii. Integration Testing: Testing the interactions between components to ensure they work
together as expected.
iii. System Testing: Testing the complete system to ensure it meets the specified
requirements.
iv. User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Conducting tests with real users to ensure the system
meets their needs and expectations.

5. Deployment
The deployment phase involves making the system available for use. This includes:
i. Deployment Planning: Creating a plan for deploying the system, including timelines,
resources, and steps.
ii. Installation: Installing the system on the target environment, such as user computers or
servers.
iii. Training: Providing training to users and administrators on how to use and manage the
system.
iv. Go-Live: Making the system operational and available for use by the intended users.

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6. Maintenance and Support
After deployment, the system enters the maintenance phase, which includes:
i. Monitoring: Continuously monitoring the system for performance and issues.
ii. Bug Fixing: Addressing any bugs or issues that arise during use.
iii. Updates and Enhancements: Implementing updates and enhancements based on user
feedback and changing requirements.
iv. Support: Providing ongoing support to users to ensure they can effectively use the
system.

7. Agile Development
Throughout the development process, an agile methodology is employed, characterized by:
i. Iterative Development: Developing the system in small, incremental iterations,
allowing for continuous feedback and improvement.
ii. Scrum Meetings: Conducting regular scrum meetings to review progress, plan next
steps, and address any issues.
iii. User Involvement: Involving users throughout the development process to ensure the
system meets their needs and expectations.

8. Tools and Technologies

i. The development of the Student Management System utilizes various tools and
technologies, including:
ii. Python: The primary programming language for implementing the system.
iii. Tkinter: A Python library for creating graphical user interfaces.
iv. CSV: A format for storing and managing student data in files.
v. Version Control: Tools like Git for managing code versions and collaboration.

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9. Quality Assurance
Quality assurance is integral to the methodology, ensuring the system meets high standards of
quality. This includes:
i. Code Reviews: Conducting regular code reviews to ensure code quality and adherence
to standards.
ii. Automated Testing: Implementing automated tests to continuously verify the
correctness of the system.
iii. Performance Testing: Testing the system for performance to ensure it meets
performance requirements under various conditions.

By following this structured methodology, the development of the Student Management System
is systematic, ensuring the final product is reliable, efficient, and meets the needs of its users

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Chapter 3
IMPLEMENTATION

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3.1 About the code:

i. The project is implemented using Python and the Tkinter library for the GUI.
ii. The application reads and writes data from/to CSV files.
iii. Main functionalities include generating USNs for students based on their branch and
adding new students to the CSV file.

Importing Libraries

i. tkinter: For creating the GUI.

ii. filedialog and messagebox: For handling file dialogs and displaying messages.
iii. csv: For reading and writing CSV files.

Function to Generate USNs (generate_usn)

i. File Path Check: Ensures a file path is provided. Displays an error if not.
ii. Reading Data: Reads data from the specified CSV file.
iii. Organizing Data: Sorts students into branches and organizes them alphabetically
within each branch.
iv. Generating USNs:
o Uses specific formats for different branches.
o Formats include: CSE, AIML, ECE, ME, and EEE.
o USNs are generated based on the branch and a sequential number.
v. Writing Data: Writes the new USN data back to the CSV file.
vi. Success Message: Displays a message indicating successful USN generation.

Function to Add a Student (add_student)

i. Input Validation: Checks if both the name and branch are provided. Displays an error
if not.
ii. File Path Check: Ensures a file path is provided. Displays an error if not.
iii. Appending Data: Appends the new student’s data to the existing CSV file.
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iv. Success Message: Displays a message indicating successful addition of the student.

GUI Setup

i. File Upload: Provides a field and button for uploading the CSV file.
ii. Student Information: Fields for entering a new student's name and branch.
iii. Action Buttons:

1. "Generate USN" button to trigger USN generation.

2. "Add Student" button to add a new student to the CSV file.

Execution Flow

i. Initialization: The GUI is initialized and displayed.

ii. User Interaction:

1. User uploads a CSV file.

2. User can add new students.
3. User can generate USNs for all students in the CSV file.

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Chapter 4
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Output:

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Discussion

Functionality and Use Cases

• Efficiency in Data Management: The application efficiently handles CSV file

operations and ensures accurate management of student records. By automating the USN
generation process based on predefined branch categories, it simplifies administrative
tasks for educational institutions.
• User-Friendly Interface: The tkinter-based GUI provides a user-friendly interface with
intuitive functionalities like file upload, input fields for student information, and clear
feedback messages. This design choice enhances usability and reduces the likelihood of
user errors.

Error Handling and Validation

• Robust Error Handling: The application includes robust error handling mechanisms
to address common user errors, such as missing file uploads or incomplete student
information entries. Error messages displayed through tkinter's messagebox module
guide users to rectify issues promptly.
• Input Validation: Before proceeding with operations like generating USNs or adding
students, the application validates input fields to ensure data integrity. This validation
prevents erroneous data entries and maintains the consistency of student records.

Future Enhancements

• Enhanced Validation Checks: Future iterations could implement additional validation

checks, such as ensuring unique student names or preventing duplicate entries within the
CSV file.
• Extended Functionality: To cater to diverse educational settings, the application could
be extended with features like batch student import/export, data filtering/searching
capabilities, or customizable USN formatting options based on institution-specific
requirements.

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Chapter 5:
CONCLUSION AND FUTURE ENHANCEMENT

Conclusion

• Functionality Achieved: The project successfully implemented a system for generating

University Seat Numbers (USNs) for students based on their branch. It also allows the
addition of new students to the existing database.
• User-Friendly Interface: Utilizing the Tkinter library provided a simple and effective
graphical user interface (GUI), making the application accessible and easy to use.
• Efficiency: The forward chaining method ensured efficient processing of data, sorting
students, and generating USNs systematically.
• Practical Application: This project demonstrates the practical application of Python in
automating administrative tasks in educational institutions, reducing manual effort, and
minimizing errors.

Future Enhancements

• Validation and Error Handling: Improve input validation and error handling to ensure
robustness, such as checking for duplicate entries or invalid branch names.
• Branch Expansion: Extend the functionality to support more branches dynamically,
possibly by reading branch information from the CSV file itself.
• Enhanced GUI Features:
o Implement features like searching for a specific student or viewing a list of
students with their USNs.
o Add functionalities to edit or delete student records directly from the GUI.
• Data Security: Introduce encryption or password protection for the CSV file to ensure
data security.
• Real-Time Updates: Implement real-time updates to reflect changes immediately in the
GUI without needing to reload the CSV file.
• Export Options: Provide options to export the generated USNs and student data to
different formats like Excel or PDF for better reporting and record-keeping.
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• Cloud Integration: Integrate with cloud storage solutions to enable remote access and
management of the student database.
• Batch Processing: Allow batch processing of multiple CSV files to handle larger
datasets efficiently.
These enhancements would further improve the functionality, user experience, and robustness
of the application, making it more versatile and adaptable to various institutional needs.

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REFERENCES

Python Documentation:

i. tkinter — Python interface to Tcl/Tk

ii. csv — CSV File Reading and Writing

Tkinter Resources:

i. "Tkinter GUI Application Development Blueprints" by Bhaskar Chaudhary:

ii. Real Python's tkinter tutorials

Educational Websites:

i. GeeksforGeeks and TutorialsPoint:

ii. Stack Overflow

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