Diploma in Information Technology(NQF Level 5)

Module Description

This module covers: Interpret program specifications to develop software; Develop software components; Design algorithms to validate User input ; Create files of text  and Produce documentation.

The module deals with the principles required to develop software using the Visual Basic programming language. Candidates will develop the skills required to design, create and test software to solve a given problem.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

•  Interpret program specifications to develop software
• ·Develop software components
• ·Use functions
• ·Save and retrieve data from disk
• ·Describe the principles of software testing and management
• ·Produce documentation

Evaluation & Assessment

Assessment will be by means of practical assignments/tests, written test papers and assignments.

•   A final mark of at least 50% is required to pass the module/course

Final mark:

• 40% Continuous Assessment
• 60% Examination

Content

Outcome 1: Interpret program specifications to develop software.

1.       Use program specifications to design a solution

2.       Use a program design method in the design

3.       Use the compiler directive options

4.       Create software from the design using a ‘Visual Basic’ text editor

5.       Use good coding practice in the implementation of the design.

Outcome 2: Develop software components.

1.       Use the control structures for iterative execution in a program: - · REPEAT…UNTIL · WHILE DO · FOR TO DO · FOR DOWN TO DO

2.       Use a control structures as part of a decision making process

3.       Use nested loops in a program

4.       Use a CASE statement for selection

5.       Use procedures in a program

6.       Use ROUND, TRUNC, PRED and SUCC in a program

7.       Use validation/range as part of data entry

8.       Use logical operators

9.       Use system-defined constants

Outcome 3: Design algorithms to validate User input

1.       Use the TYPE block to declare a programmer designed data type and an array

2.       Use functions.

3.       Declare a function/subprogram in a program

4.       Pass values to a function/subprogram: - · by value (copy) · by reference

5.       Construct function/subprogram that return a system data type

6.       Select pre-defined function(s) available to create software

7.       Create a function that returns a programmer defined data type

8.       Write a program that Uses an arithmetic expression as one of the parameters passed to a function

9.       Use local and global variables in functions and procedures.

10.    Save and retrieve data from disk.

11.    Prepare a program for file handling by declaring a variable to be of FILE data type 

Outcome 4: Create files of text

1.       Display on screen the contents of a text file

2.       Manipulate files: - · write to a file · read from a file · append to a file

3.       Search files on disk

4.       Use READ AND READLN statements to read from a text file

5.       Use the EOF function to detect the end of a text file.

6.       Describe the principles of software testing and management.

7.       Verify that the program conforms to the design specification

8.       Dry run a program

9.       Implement change control procedures

10.    Test the software according to a prepared test plan

11.    Determine the expected outcome from a program

12.    Compare the expected outcome to the actual outcome and decide if the program working correctly

13.    Keep a log of the results for each test

14.    Clearly identify any discrepancies and any amendments made to correct errors

15.    Resolve logical and run-time errors found during testing.

Outcome 5: Produce documentation.

1.       Produce end User instructions that are clear and unambiguous

2.       Produce technical documentation to describe the purpose of the program and its operation

3.       Print listing of code.