VCE Software Development

STUDY DESIGN 2011-2014

Adapted from the VCAA IT Study Design
Used with permission from VCAA
Copyright © VCAA

Unit 3: Software development

SD Unit 3 focuses on programming as a strategy for solving problems for specific users in a networked environment. Students develop knowledge and skills in the use of a programming language. The programming language selected will be studied for both Units 3 and 4. When programming in Unit 3, students are expected to have an overview of the problem-solving methodology and a detailed understanding of the stages of analysis, design and development. Details of this methodology are here.

Area of Study 1 focuses on the analysis stage of the problem-solving methodology, which involves students developing and applying knowledge and skills in determining the requirements of solutions, identifying relevant factors that should be taken into account when designing the solutions, and in scoping the solutions.

In Area of Study 2 students engage in designing the detailed specifications of how solutions will be developed and undertake the development stage by using the selected programming language to create planned solutions.

Students study the following software tools in this unit:

Unit 3 - Area of Study 1 - Analysing information problems

In this area of study students develop knowledge and skills related to the problem-solving stage of analysis. Typically, as a precursor to the analysis stage, project plans are created and students examine the key tasks associated with project planning (students are not required to use project management software). When analysing, students determine the requirements, the constraints and the scope of the solutions. The networked environment and security are key considerations when determining the requirements of solutions. As a means of understanding the networked environment, students examine the Open Systems Interconnections (OSI) model, with an emphasis on Layer 1. Students document the findings of the analysis in the form of software requirements specifications (SRS).

Unit 3 Outcome 1

Outcome 1

Analyse an information problem in order to produce software requirements specifications for a solution that operates within a networked environment.

Key knowledge

1. stages of the problem-solving methodology
2. key tasks associated with planning software projects, including identifying, scheduling and monitoring tasks, resources, people and time
3. a brief overview of the concept of the OSI model for network protocols
4. purposes and functions of the physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI and the relationship of the physical layer to the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol model
5. appropriateness of interviews, surveys and observation as methods of collecting data to determine needs and requirements
6. features of functional and non-functional solution requirements
7. constraints that influence solutions
8. the functions, technical underpinnings and sources of worms, Trojans and spyware that intentionally threaten the security of networks
9. factors that determine the scope of solutions
10. tools and techniques for depicting the interfaces between solutions, users and the network, including use cases, via the Unified Modelling Language
11. features of context diagrams and data flow diagrams that allow data flows to be depicted
12. composition of an SRS and purposes of documenting an analysis in this form.

Key skills

1. identify the key tasks involved in planning software projects
2. propose a range of methods to collect data for analysis
3. describe the physical layer of networked environments within which the solutions will operate
4. analyse data and information in order to determine the solution requirements, constraints including vulnerability to security threats, and scope
5. apply tools and techniques to assist in analysing information problems
6. write an SRS to document the requirements, constraints and scope.

Unit 3 Area of Study 2 - Design and development

In this area of study students develop knowledge and skills related to the design and development stages of the problem-solving methodology. When designing, students develop knowledge and skills in describing data types and data structures. They express software designs using data dictionaries and data structure diagrams, object descriptions and pseudocode. In addition, students propose criteria to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the solutions they develop, based on their designs.

The development stage involves transforming design specifications into solutions by undertaking the problem-solving activities of coding, testing and documenting. Students develop knowledge and skills in the use of an approved programming language, which is used to develop prototype solutions to small information problems. The solutions can focus on limited features of the programming language. The focus of a prototype solution allows testing the logic of processes in readiness for a larger software project. Students do not have to design and develop a complete software solution, as the focus in this area of study is on program logic. There is no emphasis on user interface design or validation in this area of study.

Testing techniques are applied to ensure solutions operate as intended and students develop knowledge and skills in writing internal documentation into their code.

Students develop solutions in response to given software requirements specifications and do not have to undertake the analysis stage.

Unit 3 Outcome 2

Represent a software design and apply a range of functions and techniques using a programming language to develop a prototype solution to meet a specific need.

Key knowledge

1. stages of the problem-solving methodology
2. characteristics of data types: integer, floating point number, Boolean, character, string
3. types of data structures, including one-dimensional arrays, records and files
4. methods of expressing software designs using data dictionaries and data structure diagrams, object descriptions and pseudocode
5. formatting and structural characteristics of efficient and effective input and output
6. needs of users and how these influence the design of solutions
7. criteria for evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of solutions
8. a programming language as a method for developing solutions that meet specific needs
9. processing features of programming languages, including instructions, procedures, methods, functions and control structures
10. purposes and characteristics of internal documentation
11. techniques for checking that coded solutions meet design specifications, including construction of test data.

Key skills

1. interpret software requirements specifications by representing prototype solutions in the form of pseudocode
2. use a range of data types and data structures
3. design prototype solutions that take into account the needs of users
4. identify evaluation criteria appropriate to the solution requirements
5. use appropriate processing features of programming languages
6. document the functioning of solutions through the use of internal documentation
7. select and apply suitable test data and testing techniques
8. document the code to indicate the logic of programs.

Unit 3 ASSESSMENT

Outcome 1

In response to a design brief, produce documentation of the analysis of an information problem in the form of software requirements specifications. 40 marks.

Outcome 2

In response to software requirements specifications create a prototype solution to meet a specific need. 60 marks.

Unit 4: Software development

This unit focuses on how the information needs of individuals, organisations and society are and can be met through the creation of purpose-designed solutions in a networked environment. Students continue to study the programming language selected in Unit 3. In this unit students are required to engage in the design, development and evaluation stages of the problem-solving methodology. Details of this methodology are here. Area of Study 1 focuses on the design and development stages of the problem-solving methodology when solving problems suitable for use with mobile devices. Area of Study 2 focuses on the final stage of the methodology, evaluation.

Students study the following software tools in this unit:

• An approved programming language
• Appropriate tool for creating user documentation

Unit 4 - Area of Study 1 - Purpose-designed solutions

In this area of study students apply a range of tools and techniques to produce purpose-designed solutions suitable for use on mobile computing devices. Suitable mobile devices include personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, laptops and gaming consoles. Students do not need to be able to physically implement the solution on a mobile device; however, they must be able to test the functions of the software in a convenient environment in order to demonstrate that the solution requirements have been met.

Within this area of study students solve problems by applying the design and development stages of the problem-solving methodology; with greater emphasis given to development. Students expand their range of programming skills and develop knowledge and skills related to file management in order to improve processing efficiency.

As part of this stage, students develop knowledge and skills in preparing user documentation using appropriate software, and consider strategies for preventing security violations of stored and communicated information. Students examine their legal obligations as programmers.

Students continue to use the programming language studied in Unit 3

Unit 4 Outcome 1

Apply stages of the problem-solving methodology to produce a solution for use on a mobile device, which takes into account technical and legal requirements.

Key knowledge

1. stages of the problem-solving methodology
2. types and characteristics of mobile computing devices, including PDAs, mobile phones, laptops, gaming consoles
3. procedures and techniques for handling and managing files, including security, archiving, backing up and disposing of files
4. methods of organising files to suit particular software needs, including serial and random access
5. ways in which file size, storage medium and organisation of files affect access of data
6. characteristics of efficient and effective user interfaces
7. factors affecting solution design, including user interface, user needs, processing efficiency, development time, technical specifications of mobile devices
8. naming conventions for solution elements
9. methods and techniques of expressing software designs
10. forms and uses of data structures to organise and manipulate data, including two-dimensional arrays, stacks and queues
11. the syntax of a programming language
12. validation techniques, including existence checking, range checking and type checking
13. techniques for searching, including binary search, and techniques for sorting, including bubble sort and quick sort
14. techniques for checking that coded solutions meet design specifications, including construction of test data.
15. forms and types of user documentation, including printed, online Internet site (forms) and quick start guide, tutorial, content sensitive help and manual (types)
16. applications and purposes of utilities in a programming environment
17. legal obligations of programmers
18. Security measures designed to protect the integrity and security of data and information.

Key skills

1. interpret solution requirements in order to design and develop solutions
2. express solution designs using appropriate design methods and techniques
3. write solutions and internal documentation
4. select and apply testing techniques to confirm that solutions operate as intended
5. use software to write appropriate user documentation
6. propose measures for protecting the security of information stored within, and communicated between, mobile computing devices and networks
7. explain how solutions have taken into account legal obligations of programmers.

Unit 4 - Area of Study 2 - Evaluating purpose-designed solutions

In this area of study students focus on the final stage of the problem-solving methodology, evaluation, which entails formulating strategies for measuring both the quality of solutions and the networked environments within which they operate. Evaluation of solutions typically takes place after the solutions have been operating for a short time. This evaluation involves applying criteria to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of solutions, and determining the techniques for acquiring the evaluation data. Evaluation of networked environments involves selecting criteria and techniques for measuring levels of security and user acceptance, the suitability of training and system support documentation for users, the impact of conflicts between stakeholders and the suitability of actions for resolving ethical dilemmas.

Unit 4 Outcome 2 - 40 marks

On completion of this unit the student should be able to recommend and justify strategies for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of solutions that operate in a networked environment.

Key knowledge

• technical underpinnings of intranets, the Internet and virtual private networks
• characteristics of wired and wireless networks
• techniques for measuring the reliability and maintainability of networks, including audits, error logs* and software tracking tools (*not "errors" as published. VCAA announced their misprint on 6/6/2011)
• criteria and techniques for testing the security of networked environments
• characteristics of efficient and effective solutions
• strategies and techniques for acquiring evaluation data about the quality of solutions
• criteria and techniques for testing acceptance by users of solutions
• types of training for the users of solutions, and techniques for measuring the suitability of training programs
• types of system support documentation offered to users and criteria for determining their appropriateness for users
• practices that cause conflict between stakeholders who use, or are affected by, solutions that operate within networked environments
• suitability of setting codes of ethics, imposing sanctions, education programs and the use of decision-support frameworks as strategies for managing ethical dilemmas.

Key skills

1. describe, using technical language, the networked environments within which solutions operate
2. propose criteria and recommend techniques for testing the security of networks
3. recommend criteria and techniques for measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of solutions
4. justify the suitability of recommended strategies for evaluating solutions
5. recommend criteria and techniques for measuring the extent to which the needs of users of solutions are met
6. justify the appropriateness of recommended strategies for evaluating the extent to which users' needs are met
7. justify the suitability of strategies for managing ethical dilemmas.

Unit 4 ASSESSMENT

Contribution to final assessment School-assessed Coursework for Unit 4 will contribute 25 per cent.
The level of achievement for Units 3 and 4 is also assessed by an end-of-year examination, which will contribute 50 per cent.

Unit 4 Outcome 1

Apply stages of the problem-solving methodology to produce a solution for use on a mobile device, which takes into account technical and legal requirements.

Task 1: A solution (including internal documentation) in response to a design brief. 45 marks

Task 2: User documentation and an explanation of how security and legal matters are managed when creating solutions. Use a written report or a test. 15 marks

Outcome 2

Recommend and justify strategies for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of solutions that operate in a networked environment. Format: written report or a test. 40 marks