NOCTI Computer Programming

User requirements

specifies what the user expects the software to be able to do. This is the source document. The input screen design should follow the same order.

Design document

lays out the general requirements that when changed, motivate the existence and purpose of a given code set.

Functional requirements

will specify a behavior or function. Business Rules, Transaction corrections, adjustments and cancellations, Administrative functions, Authentication, Authorization levels, Audit Tracking, External Interfaces, Certification Requirements, Reporting Requirements, Historical Data, Legal or Regulatory Requirements

Non functional requirements

Quality characteristics or quality attributes. Other definition parts - specify how the system should behave. The operation of a system. Constraint on system behavior.

Performance

for example Response Time, Throughput, Utilization, Static Volumetric, Scalability, Capacity, Availability, Reliability, Recoverability, Maintainability, Serviceability, Security, Regulatory, Manageability, Environmental, Data Integrity, Usability, Interoperability

Input format

how to interpret the contents of an input field as a number or a string.

Output format

print and write formats. Automatically generated from the input formats.

Oval

terminator. start/end

Parallelogram

input/output

Rectangle

process. Either single step or an entire sub-process.

Diamond

decision.

Circle

connectors.

Requirements specifications

establishes the basis for agreement between customs, contractors, or suppliers on what the software product is to do as well as what it is not expected to do.

Software design

involves planning a software solution in a sequence of steps that enables the designer to describe all aspects of the software to be built.

Implementation and integration

brings together systems utilizing many techniques: computer networking, enterprise application integration, business process management, programming.

Testing

can be stated as the process of validating and verifying that a computer program/application/product: meets the requirements that guided its design and development and works as expected

Deployment

is all of the following activities that make a software system available for use: Release, Install and Activate, Deactivate, Adapt, Update, Built-in, Version Tracking, Uninstall, Retire

Maintenance

the modification of a software product after delivery to correct faults, to improve performance or other attributes.

Design Program Solutions

Primary storage

RAM.

Stack

Heap

Distributed computing

a field of computer science that studies distributed systems. A distributed system is a model in which components located on networked computers communicate and coordinate their actions by passing messages. The components interact with each other in order to achieve a common goal.

Data Storage Field length

the amount of characters the field can hold.

Data Storage Record length

the length, in bytes, of each record in the data set. Of all the fields.

Data formats Delimited

a character is used to separate the values (comma, tab, colon).

Data formats Fixed length

Rapid application development

a software development methodology that uses minimal planning in favor of rapid prototyping. The process of writing the software itself involves the planning required for developing the product. Follows an iterative and incremental model. Makes reusable prototypes.

RAD language

It is very quick and easy to create an application. It is paired with an IDE. C++, Java, Delphi

A code review

systematic examination (sometimes referred to as peer review) of computer source code. It is intended to find mistakes overlooked in the initial development phase, improving the overall quality of software.

A design review

a milestone within a product development process whereby a design is evaluated against its requirements in order to verify the outcomes of previous activities and identify issues before committing to - and if need to be re-prioritize - further work.

Appropriate variable names

camelCase, No reserved words, No spaces, No reserved symbols, Be descriptive.

Data types

follows what type of data it is.

Logic patterns

Simple sequence, Selection, Loop, Branch.

Structured programming

three basic control structures to form highly structured units of code. Subroutines, Block structures, Loops

SQL

Structured query language. Uses plain english queries.

Perl

Scripting languages. Syntax: Has DO UNTIL.

Fortran

One of the oldest programming languages, the FORTRAN was developed by a team of programmers at IBM led by John Backus, and was first published in 1957. The name FORTRAN is an acronym for FORmula TRANslation, because it was designed to allow easy translation of math formulas into code.

BASIC

CAPITAL reserved words, FOR TO: the TO is included in how many times it runs.

Beta

point: (# x, y: @integer #)

Unit testing

a software testing method by which individual units of source code, sets of one or more computer program modules together with associated control data, usage procedures, and operating procedures, are tested to determine whether they are fit for use.

Script

a sequence of events to follow so they can be repeated. Interpreted.

Test data

data for use in tests.

Truncation error

the data has been accidentally truncated.

Rounding error

the data has been accidentally rounded.

Run time error

An error that occurs during the execution of a program. Runtime errors indicate bugs in the program or problems that the designers had anticipated but could do nothing about.

Boundary error

the data has accidentally stepped out of bounds.

Logical error

the program produces unintended or undesired behavior. An issue with logic statements.

Arithmetic error

the data has had a calculation error.

Semantic error

valid syntax but does not do what the programmer intended.

Linker error

problem during linking process

Syntax error

problem with source code.

Compile errors

caused by bad syntax.

Maintenance

refers to changes to a system in operating arising from Error corrections, Performance improvements, Changes in the business environment, Enhancements in functions

How to provide user instructions on program modifications

One method of ensuring that updates to documentation are efficiently distributed is to make changes in an online help system rather than print sources.

How to develop a documentation narrative (e.g., writing program documentation)

Use language that is clear and at the level of the end user.

data dictionary

a set of information describing the contents, format, and structure of a database and the relationship between its elements, used to control access to and manipulation of the database.

Compiler

takes in the entire program, checks for errors, compiles it, and then executes it.

Interpreter

takes the program line by line, checks for errors, and executes it.

Injuries

bursitis, tendon injuries, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome.

To prevent injuries

adjust chair so feet are flat on floor, support lower back, top of computer monitor should be ~eye level, wrists should be in a straight neutral position in line with forearms.

Network

a group of two or more computers.

Bus

passes data.

CPU

Central Processing Unit. Processes instructions

RAM

Random Access Memory. Information is loaded onto the RAM for faster run time.

Data hierarchies

the systematic organization of data, often in a hierarchical form. Data organization involves characters, fields, records, files and so on.

Access methods

methods to access data on external devices.

Manipulation methods

methods to manipulate data.