Learning objective
Design: Be aware that before constructing a solution, the solution should be designed and specified, for example planning data structures for the data model, designing algorithms, designing an appropriate modular structure for the solution and designing the human user interface. Students should have sufficient experience of successfully structuring programs into modular parts with clear documented interfaces to enable them to design appropriate modular structures for solutions. Be aware that design can be an iterative process involving a prototyping/agile approach.
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Topic
Aspects of software development
Subtopic
Design
Aqa A Level Computer ScienceSystematic approach to problem solving
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Quick explanation
Design: Be aware that before constructing a solution, the solution should be designed and specified, for example planning data structures for the data model, designing algorithms, designing an appropriate modular structure for the solution and designing the human user interface. Students should have sufficient experience of successfully structuring programs into modular parts with clear documented interfaces to enable them to design appropriate modular structures for solutions. Be aware that design can be an iterative process involving a prototyping/agile approach
- This point belongs to Aspects of software development, especially Design.
- You need to be able to design: Be aware that before constructing a solution, the solution should be designed and specified, for example planning data structures for the data model, designing algorithms, designing an appropriate modular structure for the solution and designing the human user interface. Students should have sufficient experience of successfully structuring programs into modular parts with clear documented interfaces to enable them to design appropriate modular structures for solutions. Be aware that design can be an iterative process involving a prototyping/agile approach.
- Use the linked flashcards and practice questions to check recall, then practise applying the idea in an exam-style answer.
Why it matters
This objective helps connect Design to exam-style questions, flashcards, and revision notes for Aspects of software development.
Quick student answer
Which activity is most appropriately completed during the design stage before construction begins?
Direct answer
Planning the data structures for the data model
Key terms
- Modular structure: The organisation of a solution into separate modular parts with clear documented interfaces.
- Iterative design: A design process in which the solution design is reviewed and refined, potentially using prototyping or an agile approach.
Common trap
Treating design as only interface appearance: Remember that design can also include the data model, algorithms, modular structure and clear documented interfaces.
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Related learning objectives
- Analysis: Be aware that before a problem can be solved, it must be defined, the requirements of the system that solves the problem must be established and a data model created. Requirements of system must be established by interaction with the intended users of the system. The process of clarifying requirements may involve prototyping/agile approach. Students should have experience of using abstraction to model aspects of the external world in a program.
Analysis
- Implementation: Be aware that the models and algorithms need to be implemented in the form of data structures and code (instructions) that a computer can understand. Students should have sufficient practice of writing, debugging and testing programs to enable them to develop the skills to articulate how programs work arguing for their correctness and efficiency using logical reasoning, test data and user feedback. Be aware that the final solution may be arrived at using an iterative process employing prototyping/an agile approach with a focus on solving the critical path first.
Implementation
- Testing: Be aware that the implementation must be tested for the presence of errors, using selected test data covering normal (typical), boundary and erroneous data. Students should have practical experience of designing and applying test data, normal, boundary and erroneous to the testing of programs so that they are familiar with these test data types and the purpose of testing. It should also undergo acceptance testing with the intended user(s) of the system to ensure that the intended solution meets its specification. Students will only need to provide evidence of user feedback not details of the tests carried out by the end user.
Testing
- Evaluation: Know the criteria for evaluating a computer system.
Evaluation