Program_Design Flashcards
“Take the original problem and break it down into manageable steps.”
This process is known as:
Top Down Design
The first level of steps listed in order to solve a problem.
Top Level Algorithm
A sequence of numbered steps to solve a problem.
Algorithm
An algorithm can be written down as a list of steps in planning English.
The planning English used is between everyday English and code. The name for it is:
Pseudocode
Because pseudocode is written down using text characters ( ie in words! ) it is known as a:
text-based design notation
Representing program design using lines and boxes ( graphical objects ) is called:
graphical design notation
A graphical design notation which is read from top to bottom ie boxes are arranged
vertically
flow chart
A graphical design notation which is read horizontally, ie from left to right.
structure diagram
A block of statements / commands which belong together because they carry out one distinct task
subprogram / module / procedure
Take each step in the Top Level Algorithm and break it down again until a task / step is reached which can be coded individually.
Stepwise Refinement
How the user and the software communicate, ie a menu structure or a set of buttons which the user can use to access the features of your software
User interface or Human Computer Interface
The designer must decide how the HCI / user interface will look. This task is documented using:
screen designs on paper
