Computer Science

breaking software into independent, self-contained units or modules

focusing on the important parts of a problem and ignoring irrelevant detail

how easily someone can understand your code

making software easy to change, fix or update later on

Software design principles

Approaching a programming project

The project brief

Project design

Developing code for a programming project

Refining code for a programming project

Testing principles

Testing and refining a programming project

Evaluating the success of a programming project

In this unit pupils will have the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge they have developed in previous programming units by approaching a practical project. They will apply software design, product design and testing principles to take their project from initial design to working prototype.

Python programming project

to write clean, efficient and maintainable code

Which of the following best describes the main purpose of software design principles?

It allows different parts of a program to be developed and tested separately.

Why is modularity useful in software design?

What is the term for focusing on only the most important features of a problem while ignoring unnecessary details?

What word describes how easy it is for someone else to understand your code?

You might need to update or reuse your code in the future.

Why should you use software design principles even if you are the only one writing the code?

code is split into functions for each task

unnecessary details are hidden from the user

code can be easily updated for new requirements

Match each scenario to the principle it best demonstrates:

What document outlines the goals, scope and requirements of a project?

to outline the goals and requirements of a project

to describe the colour scheme of the software

to provide technical documentation for developers

What is the main purpose of a project brief?

the exact requirements and goals of the project

When analysing a project brief, what are you trying to understand?

the results or information the program produces

What does “outputs” mean in the context of a programming project?

the person or organisation that requests and funds the project

the actions or tasks a program can perform

gathers and defines what the system must achieve

writes and tests the code for the software

Arrange these steps in the correct order for analysing a project brief:

What should you do if a requirement in the project brief is unclear?

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Software design principles

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.