This unit applies to programmers, analyst programmers and game programmers responsible for the development of code to connect a computer game to a database.
Not applicable.
1. Install application programming interfaces (APIs) suitable to the game’s data source provider | 1.1 Research appropriate APIs 1.2 Identify specific APIs as suitable for the game architecture and data source provider 1.3 Install nominated APIs on game development computers |
2. Define and use a connection to the data source | 2.1 Define game data source connection parameters 2.2 Store connection parameters in external text-based configuration file 2.3 Open and close connection to the game data source |
3. Configure and use connection pooling | 3.1 Configure connection pooling in the database management system 3.2 Define connection pool parameters for minimum connections, maximum connections and idle connections 3.3 Minimise use of database resources through the use of connection pooling 3.4 Test and verify use of connection pooling |
4. Pass embedded structured query language (SQL) to the database | 4.1 Define database connection property 4.2 Compose SQL statement or command to be passed to the database 4.3 Test, debug and execute the SQL statement |
5. Execute a stored procedure on a database | 5.1 Call a stored procedure on the database using command callable statement 5.2 Define and pass parameters to the stored procedure 5.3 Test, debug and execute database stored procedure |
6. Modify database data | 6.1 Retrieve multi-row multi-column result sets from the database into the game application domain 6.2 Insert new records into the database 6.3 Update existing database records 6.4 Delete existing database records |
7. Integrate data from the database with the game application domain | 7.1 Integrate data from a forward-only and read-only cursor into the game application domain 7.2 Incorporate data from an updateable cursor into the game application domain |
8. Test and debug database integration code | 8.1 Test database integration code 8.2 Document test results 8.3 Determine errors and exceptions and document solutions 8.4 Debug all errors and exceptions 8.5 Assess all data modifications in the database and document any errors 8.6 Correct all causes to data modification errors |
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
problem-solving 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 parent/child relationships can be implemented using artificial (auto-generated) 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 well-factored object-oriented 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.
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 game-play 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 browser-based games game consoles for console-based 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 non-English speaking background may need additional support. In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. |
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. |
Game development
This unit contains employability skills.
Not applicable.