Course: Programming Fundamentals

Textbook:

Simple Program Design A Step-By-Step Approach

Lesley Anne Robertson 5th Edition

ISBN:0 17 01 2851 2.

Chapter 8 in Text for Module 8

Module 8 Discussion Question:

"Notice in the Lecture Notes that not all the algorithms are formatted with a human in mind. Please post a short discussion explaining the difficulties the non-formatting can cause and how would you fix it."

Module 8 Overview :First steps in modularisation

Objectives

To introduce modularisation as a means of dividing a problem into subtasks

To present hierarchy charts as a pictorial representation of modular program structure

To discuss intermodule communication, local and global variables, and the passing of parameters between modules

To develop programming examples that use a simple modularised structure

Overview

This chapter introduces a modular approach to program design. A module is defined as a section of an algorithm that is dedicated to the performance of a single function. Top-down design is defined as the process of dividing a problem firstly into major tasks and then into further subtasks within those major tasks until all the tasks have been identified.

Hierarchy charts are introduced as a method of illustrating the structure of a program that contains modules. Hierarchy charts show the names of all the modules and their hierarchical relationship to each other.

Inter-module communication is defined as the flow of information or data between modules. Local and global variables are introduced, along with the scope of a variable and the side effects of using only global data.

The passing of parameters is introduced as a form of inter-module communication and the differences between formal and actual parameters, and value and reference parameters is explained.

When attempting a modular approach to designing a solution algorithm, your students should follow the six steps in modularisation, namely:

define the problem

group the activities into subtasks or functions

construct a hierarchy chart

establish the logic of the mainline, using pseudocode

develop the pseudocode for each successive module in the hierarchy chart

desk check the solution algorithm.

I have the lecture notes that I can send to you if that will be helpful.