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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Install application programming interfaces (APIs) suitable to the game’s data source provider
  2. Define and use a connection to the data source
  3. Configure and use connection pooling
  4. Pass embedded structured query language (SQL) to the database
  5. Execute a stored procedure on a database
  6. Modify database data
  7. Integrate data from the database with the game application domain
  8. Test and debug database integration code

Required Skills

Required skills

analytical skills to

analyse game application domain and game architecture and determine appropriate APIs as prescribed by the selected proprietary or database industry standards

determine appropriate connection pooling implementation requirements

determine appropriate development environments for the game architecture and database integration functionality

communication skills to

describe and evaluate data access and data modification architectures with game designers and game architects

negotiate game data requirements with project managers game designers and game architects

propose data access and modify functionality to meet the needs of the online game

initiative and enterprise skills to

assess proposed database integration architectures within the context of existing game development technologies development infrastructure and game industry standards

recommend solutions to difficulties or flaws identified with the integration of the database and the online game

learning skills to

acquire the skills and knowledge required to integrate a database with an online game

ensure the use of leading edge industry developments and industry standards

literacy skills to

delineate existing game architecture documentation

document database integration specifications for an online game

interpret and understand industry standards game architecture standards and database standards

planning and organisational skills

organise resources documentation and infrastructure elements required for the integration of a database with an online game

plan the effective integration of a database with an online game

problemsolving skills to

debug code identify code bugs and resolve all code exceptions

identify and implement solutions to problems with the integration of a database with an online game

identify problems with SQL and stored procedures and implement solutions

research skills to

enhance knowledge of industry standards and trends related to the integration of a database with an online game

identify and locate sources of information that provide solutions to technical problems

identify sources of information and documentation required to plan and implement the integration of a database with an online game

technical skills to

implement complex code algorithms required for the integration of a database with an online game

implement exception handling routines in code

improve the efficiency of code by refactoring

use an integrated development environment to build database integration code

write code to integrate a database with an online game

Required knowledge

relational database theory including

how to create and test stored procedures

how to create embedded SQL and assign parameters in code for filtering

how and why tables are related and how relationships between tables are implemented

how SQL is used to retrieve data from multiple tables

how inserts to tables in parentchild relationships can be implemented using artificial autogenerated primary key values

how to implement cascading updates and deletes

game development

integrated development environments including

data access APIs and associated classes required for the integration of a database with an online game

online help and documentation required for research and debugging code

user authentication and authorisation management

methodologies and techniques required for effective and wellfactored objectoriented program OOP code including

class implementation

control of logic flow

use of collections and lists

use of OOP concepts such as inheritance encapsulation and overloading

web development

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to

add database functionality to an online game

display and modify the database data provided by gameplay input

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to

game design specification and requirements documentation

game server

database server

integrated development environment software and hardware

browsers for browserbased games

game consoles for consolebased games

appropriate learning and assessment support when required

modified equipment for people with special needs

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

evaluation of an online game that can access display and update game state data stored in a database

verbal and written questioning to assess the knowledge associated with the integration of a database with an online game

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended where appropriate

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and suitable to the communication skill level language literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed

Indigenous people and other people from a nonEnglish speaking background may need additional support

In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Data source provider may include:

DB2

Infomix

Ingres

Microsoft Access

Microsoft SQL (MS SQL) server

Mini SQL (mSQL)

MySQL

Oracle

Sybase.

External text-based configuration file may include:

any text-based file format that will not require re-compilation if properties of the connection to the database change

in ASP.Net, framework the web configuration (web.config) file and machine configuration (machine.config) file

files formatted as eXtensible markup language (XML) files or documents

traditional ASCII-based text files with file extension of .ini.

Parameters may include:

data type property appropriate to the data source provider

direction property defining either input or output

value property derived from the actual game play.

Forward-only and read-only cursor may include:

data-reader object

forward-only record set

Java forward-only result set.

Updateable cursor may include:

data-set object

record-set object

result-set object.