iGlobal Real Estate Management System

Overview

iGlobal is a comprehensive JavaFX-based real estate management system designed for SE2203b coursework. The application provides a robust, multi-tier architecture supporting administrative, executive, and agent portals with integrated database management and secure user authentication.

Technical Architecture

Core Technologies

• Java 21 - Modern Java runtime with enhanced performance and security features
• JavaFX 23.0.1 - Rich client application framework for cross-platform desktop applications
• Apache Derby - Embedded relational database for local data persistence
• Maven 3.x - Dependency management and build automation
• SHA-256 Encryption - Secure password hashing with salt-based encryption

System Architecture

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    Presentation Layer (JavaFX)              │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Controllers: IGlobalController, LoginController, etc.     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                    Business Logic Layer                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Data Models: UserAccount, Administrator, PropertyType     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                    Data Access Layer                        │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Table Adapters: UserAccountTableAdapter, etc.             │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                    Database Layer (Derby)                   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Key Features

🔐 Authentication & Authorization

• Multi-tier User System: Admin, Executive, and Agent portal access levels
• Secure Password Management: SHA-256 hashing with random salt generation
• Session Management: Automatic login state persistence and logout functionality

🏢 Property Management

• Property Type Administration: CRUD operations for property classifications
• Database Integration: Real-time synchronization with embedded Derby database
• Data Validation: Input validation and error handling throughout the system

🖥️ User Interface

• Modern JavaFX GUI: Responsive, cross-platform desktop interface
• Modal Dialog System: Secure popup windows for sensitive operations
• Table Management: Editable data grids with real-time updates
• Error Handling: Comprehensive alert system for user feedback

Database Schema

UserAccount Table

CREATE TABLE UserAccount (
    userAccountName VARCHAR(30) NOT NULL PRIMARY KEY,
    encryptedPassword VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL,
    passwordSalt VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
    accountType VARCHAR(10) NOT NULL
);

Administrator Table

CREATE TABLE Administrator (
    id VARCHAR(9) NOT NULL PRIMARY KEY,
    firstName VARCHAR(60) NOT NULL,
    lastName VARCHAR(60) NOT NULL,
    email VARCHAR(60),
    phone VARCHAR(60),
    dateCreated DATE,
    userAccount VARCHAR(30) REFERENCES UserAccount(userAccountName)
);

PropertyType Table

CREATE TABLE PropertyType (
    typeCode VARCHAR(10) NOT NULL PRIMARY KEY,
    typeName VARCHAR(60) NOT NULL
);

Installation & Setup

Prerequisites

• Java Development Kit (JDK) 21 or higher
• Maven 3.6+ (optional, for dependency management)
• JavaFX Runtime (included in JDK 17+)

Build Instructions

# Clone the repository
git clone <repository-url>
cd iGlobal

# Compile the application
javac --module-path <javafx-lib-path> --add-modules javafx.controls,javafx.fxml -d target/classes src/main/java/se2203b/iGlobal/*.java

# Run the application
java --module-path <javafx-lib-path> --add-modules javafx.controls,javafx.fxml -cp target/classes se2203b.iGlobal.IGlobalApplication

Maven Build (Alternative)

# Compile with Maven
mvn clean compile

# Run with JavaFX Maven plugin
mvn clean javafx:run

Usage

Initial Setup

1. Launch the application
2. Database tables are automatically created on first run
3. Default administrator account is initialized:
   • Username: admin
   • Password: admin

Login Process

1. Click File → Login from the main menu
2. Enter credentials (default: admin/admin)
3. Access appropriate portal based on account type

Property Type Management

1. Login as administrator
2. Navigate to Admin Portal → Manage Property Types
3. Add, edit, or delete property type classifications
4. Changes are automatically persisted to database

Security Features

Password Encryption

• Algorithm: SHA-256 with random salt
• Salt Generation: Cryptographically secure random integers
• Storage: Encrypted passwords stored in database, salts never reused

Access Control

• Role-based Authorization: Different UI elements based on user privileges
• Session Management: Automatic logout and session cleanup
• Input Validation: SQL injection prevention and data sanitization

Development Information

Project Structure

src/
├── main/
│   ├── java/
│   │   ├── module-info.java          # Java module configuration
│   │   └── se2203b/iGlobal/
│   │       ├── IGlobalApplication.java      # Main application entry point
│   │       ├── IGlobalController.java       # Primary application controller
│   │       ├── LoginController.java         # Authentication controller
│   │       ├── DataStore.java              # Data access interface
│   │       ├── UserAccount.java            # User account model
│   │       ├── Administrator.java          # Administrator model
│   │       ├── PropertyType.java           # Property type model
│   │       └── *TableAdapter.java          # Database access objects
│   └── resources/
│       └── se2203b/iGlobal/
│           ├── *.fxml                      # JavaFX UI layouts
│           └── *.png                       # Application icons
├── lib/                                  # Apache Derby JAR files
└── iGlobalDB/                            # Embedded database files

Design Patterns

• Model-View-Controller (MVC): Separation of concerns between UI, business logic, and data
• Data Access Object (DAO): TableAdapter classes for database operations
• Factory Pattern: Database connection management
• Observer Pattern: JavaFX property bindings for real-time UI updates

Technical Specifications

Performance Considerations

• Embedded Database: Zero-configuration setup with automatic initialization
• Connection Pooling: Efficient database connection management
• Memory Management: Proper resource cleanup and garbage collection
• UI Responsiveness: Non-blocking operations with progress indicators

Error Handling

• Exception Management: Comprehensive try-catch blocks with user-friendly messages
• Validation: Input validation at both UI and business logic levels
• Logging: Console-based error logging for debugging
• Recovery: Graceful degradation and error recovery mechanisms

Contributing

Code Standards

• Java Coding Conventions: Oracle Java Code Conventions compliance
• Documentation: Javadoc comments for all public methods
• Error Handling: Consistent exception handling patterns
• Testing: Unit tests for critical business logic components

Development Workflow

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
3. Commit changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')
4. Push to branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
5. Open a Pull Request

License

This project is developed for educational purposes as part of SE2203b coursework. All rights reserved.

Author

Abdelkader Ouda
SE2203b Coursework Project

---

For technical support or questions regarding implementation details, please refer to the source code documentation or contact the development team.