BukManiac/Critical path and analysis

CS290F Fall 2006 - UCSB Computer Science - Thorsten von Eicken

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Contents 1 Critical Flows 2 Original Critical Paths Implementation (without index) 3 Critical flows after Implementation of Index 4 Atomic Transaction

Critical Flows

We have identified the following 'Critical Flows' for our website - The most likely paths users can take to navigate our website. Our effort is to analyse and optimize the performance of the critical flows.

Flow 1: Home Page -> Search By title -> View 2nd book -> View 4th book -> Search by Author -> View 1st book -> No Checkout
Comments -- We assume this is the most likely path a visitor to the website will take. We assume that 60% of the total traffic will compose of this path. (Most visitors just scan the website and leave and end up not registering or buying anything. This path is very important as satisfied visitors are most likely to turn into future customers) .

Flow 2: Home Page -> Search by Title -> View 1st book -> Add to Cart -> Login -> Checkout
Comments -- This path assumes that the user is already signed up with the website. 30% of the visitors to the website are likely take this path.

Flow 3 : Home Page -> Search by Title -> View 1st book -> View 2nd book -> Add to Cart -> Login -> Seacrh by Title -> View 3rd book -> Show Cart -> Checkout
Comments -- This path holds 10% weightage.

Original Critical Paths Implementation (without index)

For more detailed analysis of the original critical flow analysis see Bukmaniac Critical Flows

Critical flows after Implementation of Index

The analysis of database access after the implementation of index on books table can be found here Critical Flows After Index Implementation

Atomic Transaction

 While checking out, the quantities of the books ordered (in cart) are compared to the quantities available. If atleast one of the
 books is not available (or the quantities desired are less than available) then the ordered, then the order is not completed. 
 That is, none of the other books (in the same) cart are ordered.