Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of this course students should be able to:

1. Translate simple real-world problems into programming algorithms applying a design methodology.
2. Translate programming algorithms into a physical programming language that meets user requirements, and validate input.
3. Communicate algorithmic solutions to other programmers using a common design methodology.
4. Develop and use a test plan for determining the correctness of a program.
5. Identify and fix defects and common security issues in code.

This course is presented with a combination of lectures and labs.
Students will be expected to complete assignments which include design, programming, and testing.

Students will complete the following assessments:

• Translate real-world problems to program designs
• Write algorithms that illustrate typical programming applications (some typical application examples follow):
  • Counters & Accumulators
  • Minimum & Maximum
  • Common business/math/science problems
• Produce a design document in a standard format
• Develop test plan to prove solutions

Outcome: Translate simple real-world problems into programming algorithms applying a design methodology.

Content that supports the outcome:

• Eliciting requirements
• Logic Constructs
  • Sequence
  • Selection/Alternation/If-Then-Else
  • Repetition/Iteration/Looping
• Standard algorithms such as:
  • Counters
  • Accumulators
  • Minimum / Maximum
• Design tools, such as:
  • Pseudocode
  • Flowcharts
• Modularity
  • Cohesion
  • Coupling
• Code reuse

Outcome: Translate standard programming algorithms into a physical programming language that meets user requirements.

Content that supports the outcome:

• Variables
  • Declaration
  • Assignment
  • Data types
  • Scoping
• Boolean and arithmetic expressions
• Functions
  • Parameters
  • Return values
• Input Validation
• Additional Programming Topics as required for programming assignments

Outcome: Communicate algorithmic solutions to other programmers using a standard design methodology.

Content that supports the outcome:

• Employing Standards for:
  • Naming
  • Indentation
  • Design
  • Code
• Design tools, such as:
  • Pseudocode
  • Flowcharts

Outcome: Test a solution to a problem both before and after coding a physical solution.

Content that supports the outcome:

• Interpreting pseudocode
• Program testing and debugging

Overall themes for the course:

• Software Development Life Cycle
• Creating software solutions from problem specifications
• Best practices
• Logical vs. physical solution