People use computers. A lot. Especially in France, virtually every student has a laptop they can bring to class. To do this, they probably had to buy a laptop first. This is where my problem lies. When I find myself browsing for a new laptop, one thing always frustrates me. I mostly know what I'm looking for, components wise, and not being able to look for a computer that has all the components I want is maddening. Some online informatics stores offer this functionality but it doesn't feel complete because it only lists the computers available for sale.
My idea is to build a database regrouping the biggest possible list of computer references, and to link it to a website or an application with a simple multiple choice list. This multiple choice list will allow to select single parts for a computer and display a list of models that are built using these parts and characteristics.
Here's approximately how the list would look (the only iteration of it I was able to find is in French):
It's simple! We can use a handy tool named Firebase to make it easy for us to manage the database. It's easily integrated into a website and we don't even need to learn how to write SQL queries to use it! Using this tool we can create a database and populate it with our first laptop models, like on the following screen:
That is where we can enter new models and list their characteristics!
Once our database has a useful number of models registered, we will be able to make it available to the public. But before that, we have to build a website so people can make use of our database! And to connect our database to the website, don't forget to include the JavaScript api to the headers like below:
The page will only need to use queries to retrieve information from the database, either by matching values or with a range of values (for example the price or the weight), using these commands:
It's as simple as it looks! I hope to realise this project someday as I believe it will help a lot of people get a better idea of the choices they have when looking for computers!