Course Overview
Elements of this syllabus are subject to change. This three-day, instructor-led course introduces students to computer programming. Students will learn the fundamental concepts and terminology of software application development and develop skills in designing and writing simple computer programs. The course assumes no programming background and provides an overview of the software development process in addition to introducing important programming constructs and methodologies. The course covers such topics as programming language characteristics, integrated development environments, flowcharts, algorithms and pseudocode, variables, operators, conditional statements, looping statements, procedures, error-handling and debugging, object-oriented programming techniques, user interface design, software modeling, and Extensible Markup Language (XML) Web services.
Prerequisites
Windows navigation skills. Experience (at least three months) with developing applications in either a graphical or non-graphical environment. And Completion of Microsoft MSDN Training Course 2667: Introduction to Programming. Or Understanding of the basics of structured programming, including concepts such as flow control, variables and parameters, and function calls.
Syllabus
Module 1: Introduction to Computer Programs This module introduces the software development process and fundamentals of computer software. Students will learn how computer programs execute, and the types of programs that developers are generally asked to build. They will also learn about different programming languages, techniques, and technologies used by developers in the software development process. Lessons Overview of Software Development Phases in the Execution of a Computer Program Overview of Problem-Solving Techniques Overview of Program Types Lab 1: Determining the Program Phases and Examining Them in Code Determining Program Phases Finding the Program Phases in Code After completing this module, students will be able to: Identify the three phases in the execution of a computer program. Define computer programs and programming languages. Describe problem-solving techniques. Module 2: Introduction to Scripting This module introduces the concept of scripting, and shows how scripting can be used on the Web, to create macros, and in Windows. Students will also learn about Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and its use on the Web. Lessons Using Web Scripting Using Macro Scripting Using Windows Scripting Lab 2: Writing Scripts Creating Hello World with a Web Script Creating Hello World with a Macro Creating Hello World with a Windows Script After completing this module, students will be able to: Define basic Web terms, including HTML, Web browser, Internet, client, and server. Create a simple Web page by using Notepad. Identify the use of Web scripts, macros, and Windows scripts. Describe how Web scripts work. Describe how macros work. Describe how Windows scripts work. Module 3: Using Data and Variables This module introduces the fundamental concepts of variables and data types, which are common to almost all programming languages. Students will learn how to implement variables to store data and how to use operators to manipulate data and variables. Lessons Using Variables Using Operators Using Programming Syntax Lab 3: Using Arithmetic Operators Calculating the Annual Remuneration of an Employee After completing this module, students will be able to: Explain how to use variables. Explain how to use operators. Describe the various data types you can use to declare variables. Module 4: Using Program Logic This module introduces common programming constructs used in software development to control program flow. Students will learn how to implement conditional expressions and looping statements. They will also learn how to identify errors that can occur in computer programs as a result of incorrect program flow. Lessons Using Branching Using Loops Identifying Logic Errors Lab 4: Selecting Candidates Based on Interview Results Writing the Pseudocode After completing this module, students will be able to: Explain how to use the IF construct. Explain how to use FOR and WHILE looping constructs. Define and identify logic errors. Module 5: Using Procedures and Functions This module introduces the use of procedures and functions to create more modular computer programs. Students will learn about arguments and parameters and how functions return values. Lessons Using Procedures Using Functions Lab 5: Identifying Functions and Passing Arguments to a Procedure Identifying Functions Passing Arguments to a Procedure After completing this module, students will be able to: Explain how to use procedures. Explain how to use functions. Module 6: Introduction to Developing a User Interface This module explains how to design user interfaces for software applications. Students will learn best practices for user interface design and learn how user interfaces are created in Microsoft Visual Studio .NET. Lessons Designing a User Interface Building a User Interface Lab 6: Building a User Interface Building a Web Interface After completing this module, students will be able to: Identify the features of a good user interface. Build Windows-based and Web-based user interfaces in Visual Studio .NET. Module 7: Introduction to Working with Data This module introduces the concepts of data storage and management. Students will learn about relational data, entity relationships, and primary and foreign keys. They will also learn how XML can be used to describe and structure data. Lessons Introduction to Managing Data Using the Entity Relationship Model Sorting Data by Using Keys Using XML After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe the methods of storing and managing data. Describe entity relationship diagrams. Identify the various keys used for sorting data. Describe XML. Module 8: Programming Approaches This module introduces common programming methodologies and compares procedural programming to object-oriented programming. Students will learn the advantages afforded by object-oriented programming techniques. They will also learn how classes of objects can be defined. Lessons Using the Procedural Programming Approach Using the Object-Oriented Programming Approach Lab 8: Examining Classes Identifying Classes After completing this module, students will be able to: Describe the two approaches to programming. Identify the features and advantages of object-oriented programming. Module 9: Introduction to the Software Development Process This module introduces the four phases of the software development lifecycle, and explains the use of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) to identify use cases and to simplify software design. Lessons Software Development Phases Introduction to the Unified Modeling Language Developing Use-Case Diagrams Examining Other UML Diagrams Lab 9: Developing a Use-Case Diagram Identifying Use Cases Creating a Use-Case Diagram After completing this module, students will be able to: Identify the four phases in the software development life cycle. Identify the views in UML. Module 10: Where Do We Go From Here? This module reviews material covered in the course and introduces advanced topics that students may wish to pursue. Students will learn how to apply the skills and knowledge obtained in the course to construct a software solution. They will also learn what options are available for pursuing a career in software development. Lessons Looking Back Looking Forward Lab 10: Putting Programming Fundamentals Together Developing a Windows-based Application Developing a Web-based Application After completing this module, students will be able to: Identify types of programs. Identify areas for advanced training.
