1 [Type the document title] UNESCO -NIGERIA TECHNICAL & VOCATIONAL EDUCATION REVITALISATION PROJECT -PHASE II NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY Computer Programming COURSE CODE: COM113 YEAR I - SE MESTER I THEORY Version 1: December 2008 2 [Type the document title] Table of Contents WEEK 1 Concept of programming ................................................................................................................ 6 Features of a good computer program ............................................................................................ 7 System Development Cycle ............................................................................................................ 9 WEEK 2 Concept of Algorithm ................................................................................................................... 11 Features of an Algorithm .............................................................................................................. 11 Methods of Representing Algorithm ............................................................................................ 11 Pseudo code .................................................................................................................................. 12 WEEK 3 English-like form .......................................................................................................................... 15 Flowchart ...................................................................................................................................... 16 WEEK 4 Decision table................................................................................................................................ 20 Data flow Diagrams ...................................................................................................................... 22 WEEK 5 The flowchart ................................................................................................................................ 25 ADVANTAGES OF USING FLOWCHART .............................................................................. 33 DISADVANTAGES OF USING FLOWCHART........................................................................ 33 WEEK 6 Designing Algorithm For Common Programming Logic Structures ........................................... 35 Simple Sequence ........................................................................................................................... 35 Selection ........................................................................................................................................ 35 Iteration Logic (Repetitive flow) .................................................................................................. 37 WEEK 7 The Concept of Modular Programming ........................................................................................ 39 Modular program planning ........................................................................................................... 39 Modular Hierarchy plan for the problem ...................................................................................... 43 WEEK 8 STAGES OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT .............................................................................. 45 Problem definition: ....................................................................................................................... 45 Develop the algorithm................................................................................................................... 45 Plan the logic of the program/flowcharting: ................................................................................. 45 Write the computer program: ........................................................................................................ 45 Type the program into computer: ................................................................................................. 46 Test and debug the program:......................................................................................................... 46 Document the work: ...................................................................................................................... 46 Program development/execution process ..................................................................................... 47 WEEK 9 LEVELS OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES .................................................. 49 Low-level Languages .................................................................................................................... 49 WEEK 10 Machine language ......................................................................................................................... 49 3 [Type the document title] Assembly Language ...................................................................................................................... 50 High-level languages .................................................................................................................... 51 WEEK 11 THE CONCEPT OF DEBUGGING AND MAINTAINING PROGRAM .................................. 59 Sources of bugs in a program ........................................................................................................ 59 Preventing Bugs ............................................................................................................................ 60 Methods of debugging .................................................................................................................. 60 Understand the Problem ................................................................................................................ 60 Basic debugging techniques/steps................................................................................................. 61 Recognize a bug exists .................................................................................................................. 61 Isolate source of bug ..................................................................................................................... 61 Identify cause of bug ..................................................................................................................... 62 Determine fix for bug.................................................................................................................... 62 Fix and test .................................................................................................................................... 63 Categories of Program maintenance ............................................................................................. 66 WEEK 12 THE CONCEPT OF GOOD PROGRAMMING PRACTICE ..................................................... 68 Structured Coding Guidelines ....................................................................................................... 69 Flow of Control ............................................................................................................................. 69 Do...Loop Statement ..................................................................................................................... 70 Syntax ........................................................................................................................................... 70 For...Next Statement ..................................................................................................................... 71 Using Comments in Code ............................................................................................................. 75 Using Descriptive Names for Variables, Constants and Functions .............................................. 75 Using Pseudo-code in Comments ................................................................................................. 75 Using Modular Coding ................................................................................................................. 76 WEEK 13 Program documentation concepts ................................................................................................. 78 Program Design ............................................................................................................................ 79 Program Debugging ...................................................................................................................... 79 Program Modifications ................................................................................................................. 80 WEEK 15 The Visual Basic environment ...................................................................................................... 90 The properties window : ............................................................................................................... 91 Starting Visual Basic..................................................................................................................... 93 Stopping Visual Basic ................................................................................................................... 93 Getting online help ........................................................................................................................ 93 The Help Menu ............................................................................................................................. 96 4 [Type the document title] Opening Application ...................................................................................................................