Structured Program Design

Objectives
On successful completion of this course, attendees will be able to:

• describe and explain the benefits of structured program design methods
• describe the basic structured programming constructs: sequence, selection and iteration
• produce structured program designs from specifications to their organisation's standards.

Who Should Attend
All programmers and trainees who will be working in a structured environment.
Prerequisites
An appreciation of mainframe computing concepts. Pre-existing knowledge or experience of a 3GL is useful but not essential.
Duration
2 days

Course Code
SP
Contents
Introduction to structured program design
Why is it needed?; alternative methods; using an effective method.


Data structure analysis
Basics of data structure analysis: sequence, selection, iteration; logical data structures; incorrect data structures; modifying data structures; contraction of data structures; the best program data structure.


Logic design
Problems in understanding logic; solutions to problems; basic logic structures; basing logic structure on data structure; design language (Pseudo code); indentation of design language; modularisation; program specification; file structure.


Top down design
Data structure; developing the module hierarchy chart; relationships between the input and output files; design language; completed design language; module hierarchy chart; print INPUT/OUTPUT; full documentation for a program.


Refinement of design
Identification of the problem; steps in refinement; removing duplication; common functions; module size; define physical modules.


Structured walkthroughs
Introduction; benefits; walkthrough organisation; structured walkthroughs during coding: code reading, dry running.


Structured program design - case study
This case study reinforces the techniques taught on the course.