Fundamentals of Software Development and Programming

About this course:

The course provides a comprehensive introduction to computer programming (coding) and software app development. It benefits individuals pursuing programming and software development as a career, as well as anyone in the IT field who works with programmers and systems analysts in important areas that precede actual programming, including problem-solving approaches; specifications and requirements; user interface design and structured program design using such tools as hierarchy, Nassi-Schneiderman, pseudocode and UML charts. Instruction covers coding concepts common to modern languages, including Python, Visual C#, Java, macro development and shell scripting. In addition to exploring procedural and object-oriented concepts (using Python and Visual Basic), students produce several small applications in these two environments, plus a commercial-level application by the course's end. This introductory course presents programming fundamentals, including variables and expressions, looping, selection, functions and parameter passing, file processing, use of OOP objects, event-driven programming in the Windows .net environment and modular development. Examples of Python advanced data types, Visual C#, Java and SQL code are also presented. The course also covers the software development cycle, including SCRUM, unit test and integration, alpha/beta testing and software defect tracking and classification. This introductory course requires weekly coding assignments and prepares students for future coursework in Python, Visual C#, Java or any other high-level language.