Thanks for the responses so far!
> What is the output supposed to look like?
The application is a financial calculator. The output is a
series of
graphs and tables for monthly and annual performance ranging
over a
period of 10-25 years. Over that range we need to compare
the actual
performance against the baseline, continually updating the
actuals
(monthly/quarterly). Additionally, some of the initial
variables can
change over time as well, for example, the prime interest
rate. These
changes must be applied to both the baseline and the actual
from that
point forward.
What I'm really looking for is ideas on how to approach the
Data Model,
and specifically, the bit where the computed values are
overridden with
actual values.
When I take a step back and look at this problem, the
existing
spreadsheet does the job really well. The reasons for
turning it into
an application (web or otherwise) are to protect the
formulas from the
users and make it safer to distribute. (Currently they get
messed up
quite easily and because of the need to override a computed
value with
an actual value, we can't simply apply protection to the
cells. Well,
that and a lot of the users are not technically savvy.
Introducing a
wizard like process for initial setups and regular updates
will make a
lot of people very happy.)
If there was a way to safely automate Excel server side,
that would be a
good solution. Unfortunately that is not the case and while
I'm sure I
don't need to create (or license) a "server
safe" spreadsheet, I am
looking to get part way there: spreadsheet like calculation
functionality without a user interface.
Any more thoughts?
dw
-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Curtin [mailto:tjc_tek hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 2:01 PM
To: aspnet-architectureaspadvice.com
Subject: [aspnet-architecture] RE: Complex Spreadsheet to
ASP.NET
if the # of input controls are fixed. then put a 'submit'
button and
double-click it to create a server-side event handler. Then
do a
boat-load
of if statements based on each of the input fields storing
values/defaults
in variables. Then at the end of the routing do your
calculation.
What is the output supposed to look like?
>From: "Doug K. Wilson" <dougfridge.com>
>Reply-To: aspnet-architectureaspadvice.com
>To: aspnet-architectureaspadvice.com
>Subject: [aspnet-architecture] Complex Spreadsheet to
ASP.NET
>Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 13:28:23 -0700
>
>Hi All,
>
>I'm just starting down the road of converting a very
complex Excel
>spreadsheet into a multi-user web based application. As
you would
>expect, there are a lot of functions and formulas spread
across many
>worksheets that will need to be turned into business
logic and have a
>user interface applied. There is no need to emulate a
spreadsheet
here,
>as all of the calculations are based off about a dozen
user entered
>values. Where it gets interesting is that as time
progresses,
>calculated values need to be overridden with actual
values and
>re-incorporated into the remaining calculations.
>
>I'm a bit of a loss at where to start, specifically
with managing the
>sheer number of calculations that need to be done. I'd
appreciate any
>suggestions, especially regarding architecture and/or
book
>recomendations.
>
>TIA
>
>Doug Wilson
>
>
>
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