Hnc software

• Modular approach to software or program design


  Dividing the program into interchangeable modules
• Advantages of using a modular approach

  • Recognizable names in functions making it easier to follow the program
  • Internal commentary to recognize the entire process of the code
  • Easier to change and reuse the code
• Disadvantages of using a modular approach


  Code can get messy if there are too many parameters passing into functions, resulting in less flexibility
• Classes


  Used to store data just like a private container inside a program
• Objects


  Instances of a class with real-world data
• Programming syntax rule


  The structure of symbols and punctuation used to control the program
• Programming syntax convention

  Generalized programming practices and standards
• Programming convention, in terms of code layout

  • You must follow the rules of the program or it won't compile
  • Use the correct values for your program otherwise there will be logical or executional errors
• Programming convention, in terms of variable names and procedure-names


  • Use-meaningful-functions-and-variable-names
• Programming convention, in terms of use of comments


  • Don't-make-your-comments-part-of-the code
  • Keep your comments short and simple
  • Be clear as possible on how this part of the code functions
• Local variable


  A variable that is stored inside a function or procedure that can be declared in
• Global variable


  A variable that is stored and then executed inside the main program without being declared in a function or procedure
• Data dictionary


  It is supposed to tell the various amounts of information used in a program with strings, integers, booleans, etc.
• Detailed design


  It is an accurate and representative design of a program that can be easier to be structured
• Items found in a detailed design


  • Methods
  • Objects
  • Data structures
  • Variables
• Main sections typically found in a technical manual


  • Specification
  • Design document
  • Program code
  • User guide
  • Test documentation
• Documentation produced during the investigation stage of software development


  • Interview notes
  • Questionnaires
  • Minutes of meetings
• Documentation produced during the solution stage of software development


  • User guide to tell the users on how to use the software
  • Technical guide to tell for future maintenance
  • Error procedures what to do when errors occur
• Documentation produced during the testing stage of software development


  • Test cases for miscalculations
  • Expected output testing strategy
• Black box testing


  Testing your program's output without seeing the internal process or code
• White box testing


  Testing the internal process or code to understand how the program behaves
• Built-in functions


  Functions that are already available in the software development environment
• Built-in functions


  • Random number generator
  • Scanner class (in Java)
  • MODE
• Parameter


  A value passed to a function when it is called
• A parameter is a variable that is used in the function declaration
• Variable


  A named storage location in a program that can hold different data types
• Variable data types


  • Integer (e.g. value of 6)
  • Real (e.g. value of 76324.64)
  • String (e.g. name of Steven)
• String


  A data type that stores a sequence of characters
• Data type


  A classification of data that tells the computer how to use the data
• Passing

  Transferring information from one function or component to another
• Programming concepts


  • Sequence (basic logic structure that program must perform in order)
  • Selection (program must choose one of two courses of action)
  • Iteration (using loops that are executed over and over)
• Case statement


  A process with multiple outcomes, as opposed to the if statement with two outcomes
• Nested loop


  A loop within a loop, where one execution triggers the inner loop to execute the required number of times before the outer loop continues
• Product key


  A code used to prevent people from using software without authorization
• Copyright


  A legal right to protect people from having their work stolen by others
• Intellectual property


  Something that can be physically created