Programming and Software Development Fundamentals

RATIONALE

The module Programming and Software Development Fundamentals provides the knowledge and skills required to start creating and building beginner to intermediate software programs and applications. The module first outlines the basic concepts of a computer program, binary and machine language. Building on this understanding of the fundamental concepts of computing, the module will then provide an overview of how low-level and high-level programming languages can be used to solve both simple and complex computing tasks. The resulting theoretical knowledge of computer programming will then be put into practice by planning, building, testing and documenting a range of different software applications using the Java programming language.  

AIMS

The aims of this module are to:

• Develop an appreciation for the significance of software and applications in the modern age
• Provide students with a fundamental understanding of computing and binary
• Introduce students to the fundamental aspects of programing 
• Provide students with an overview of the essential programming paradigms
• Equip students with adequate knowledge programming that can translate to any programming language or paradigm
• Equip students with the practical skills needed to develop and build software applications

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:

1. Develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts of computing in context of 'computer programming'
2. Describe and evaluate a range of different programming paradigms and their applications
3. Apply understanding of fundamental programming concepts such as logic, pseudo code, syntax, debugging, testing and error handling to any programming language 
4. Build, test, debug and document a range of small to medium size software applications using the Java programming language
5. Develop an awareness of current issues and trends in programming and software development