Topic

Software Design and Development (SDD) – Higher (v2.1)

Development methodologies

 Describe and compare the development methodologies:

  • iterative development process
  • agile methodologies

Analysis

 Identify the:

  • purpose
  • scope
  • boundaries
  • functional requirements

of a problem that relates to the design and implementation at this level, in terms of:

  • inputs
  • processes
  • outputs

Design

 Identify the data types and structures required for a problem that relates to the implementation at this level.

Read and understand designs of solutions to problems at this level, using the following design techniques:

  • structure diagrams
  • pseudocode

Exemplify and implement efficient design solutions to a problem, using a recognised design technique, showing:

  • top level design
  • the data flow
  • refinements

Describe, exemplify and implement user-interface design, in terms of input and output, using a wireframe.

Implementation (data types and structures)

 Describe, exemplify and implement appropriately the following structures:

  • parallel 1D arrays
  • records
  • arrays of records

Implementation (computational constructs)

 Describe, exemplify and implement the appropriate constructs in a procedural high-level (textual) language:

  • parameter passing (formal and actual)
  • the scope of local and global variables
  • sub-programs/routines, defined by their name and arguments (inputs and outputs):
    • functions
    • procedures
  • pre-defined functions (with parameters):
    • to create substrings
    • to convert from character to ASCII and vice versa
    • to convert floating-point numbers to integers
    • modulus
  • file handling:
    • sequential CSV and txt files (open, create, read, write, close)

Read and explain code that makes use of the above constructs.

Implementation (algorithm specification)

 Describe, exemplify and implement standard algorithms using 1D arrays or arrays of records:

  • linear search
  • find minimum and maximum
  • count occurrences

Testing

 Describe, exemplify and implement a comprehensive final test plan to show that the functional requirements are met.

Identify syntax, execution, and logic errors at this level.

Describe and exemplify debugging techniques:

  • dry runs
  • trace tables/tools
  • breakpoints
  • watchpoints

Evaluation

 Describe, identify and exemplify the evaluation of a solution in terms of:

  • fitness for purpose
  • efficient use of coding constructs
  • usability
  • maintainability
  • robustness