Introduction to Programming (55337AC)
Course outline
Module 1: Introduction to Core Programming Concepts
This module provides background and foundational information on how computers process information,
discusses the different types of applications that a programmer might be creating, and then provides information
on how code is compiled and interpreted by a computer.
Lessons
Computer Data Storage and Processing
Application Types
Application Lifecycle
Code Compilation
Lab 1: Thinking Like a Computer
Describe computer data storage and processing concepts
Describe application types
Describe the lifecycle of an application
Describe code compilation
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Explain core programming fundamentals such as computer storage and processing.
Explain computer number systems such as binary.
Create and use variables and constants in programs.
Explain how to create and use functions in a program.
Create and use decisions structures in a computer program.
Create and use repetition (loops) in a computer program.
Module 2: Core Programming Language Concepts
This module covers programming language syntax and the importance of using good syntax and following the
syntax rules for the chosen language. This module also discusses the core data types and how to store these data
types in computer memory by using variables and constants.
Lessons
Syntax
Data Types
Variables and Constants
Lab 1: Working with Data Types
Define syntax
Explain the different types of core data used in programs
Declare and use variables and constants in a computer program
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Define syntax
Explain the different types of core data used in programs
Declare and use variables and constants in a computer program
Module 3: Program Flow
This module covers how code is executed in a computer program, such as top to bottom, in structured
programming and branching in code execution. The module teaches these concepts using functions, decision
structures, and looping constructs.
Lessons
Introduction to Structured Programming Concepts
Introduction to Branching
Using Functions
Using Decision Structures
Introducing Repetition
Lab 1: Creating Functions, Decisions, and Looping
Describe structured programming
Create and use functions in your code
Create and use decision structures
Create and use looping structures
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Describe structured programming
Create and use functions in your code
Create and use decision structures
Create and use looping structures
Module 4: Algorithms and Data Structures
This module introduces the concept of an algorithm by outlining all the steps required including the decisions to
be made as the routine progresses. The module also discusses how to translate these set of steps into pseudocode
for evaluation of the algorithm that will be translated into actual code.
Lessons
Understand How to Write Pseudocode
Algorithm Examples
Introduction to Data Structures
Lab 1: Working with Algorithms and Data Structure
Transfer problem statements into pseudo code
Create algorithms
Translate pseudo code into programming code
Create simple algorithms in code
Create data structures to store data
Module 5: Error Handling and Debugging
This module helps students understand that errors are a part of programming, and they must understand how to
anticipate errors, handle those errors in code, and present a good user experience. This module introduces
structured exception handling as a mechanism to deal with errors.
Lessons
Introduction to Program Errors
Introduction to Structured Error Handling
Introduction to Debugging
Lab 1: Implementing Debugging and Error Handling
Implement structured exception handling
Debug applications by using Visual Studio 2022
Module 6: Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming
This module covers an introduction to the concepts related to object-oriented programming (OOP). The content
has been split across two modules with this module focusing on basic OOP concepts that will provide sufficient
knowledge to understand complex data structures starting with structs and then moving on to classes. This
module helps the students gain an understanding of how to encapsulate data and related functionality within a
class.
Lessons
Introduction to Complex Structures
Introduction to Structs
Introduction to Classes
Introducing Encapsulation
Lab 1: Implementing Complex Data Structures
Create and use structure types
Create and use basic class files
Choose when to use a struct vs a class
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Create and use structure types
Create and use basic class files
Choose when to use a struct vs a class
Module 7: More Object-Oriented Programming
This module teaches students about inheritance and polymorphism in classes and function overloading. Function
overloading and polymorphism often go hand-in-hand, such as when you inherit from a class, or when you want
to override or change the existing behaviour to suit the needs of your class.
The module also introduces the base class library of .NET so that students can start to think about the existence
of functionality in other class files and how they can search the .NET libraries to find this functionality and take
advantage of it.
Lessons
Introduction to Inheritance
Introduction to Polymorphism
Introduction to .NET and the Base Class Library
Lab 1: Implementing Inheritance
Implementing Inheritance
Lab 2: Implementing Polymorphism
Use inheritance in OOP
Implement polymorphism in your classes
Describe how the base class library is constructed
Find class information by using the Object Browser
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Use inheritance in OOP
Implement polymorphism in your classes
Describe how the base class library is constructed
Find class information by using the Object Browser
Module 8: Introduction to Application Security
This module helps students think about security in their applications. It introduces the concepts of authentication
and authorization for users, and also introduces the concept of permissions for running code. It explains that
operating systems might prevent certain aspects of the program from executing, such as saving a file to a
directory to which the user running the app might not have permission to write. The module briefly covers code
signing and why programmers might want to consider using it.
Lessons
Authentication and Authorization
Code Permissions on Computers
Introducing Code Signing
Lab 1: No Lab
None
After completing this module, students will be able to:
None
Module 9: Core I/O Programming
This module introduces some core input/output (I/O) concepts that programmers will use while creating
applications. Starting with console I/O, this module introduces input and output to the Console window.
The module also talks about reading from and writing to the filesystem.
Lessons
Using Console I/O
Using File I/O
Lab 1: Core I/O Programming
Read input from a console
Output data to the console
Read and write text files
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Read input from a console
Output data to the console
Read and write text files
Module 10: Application Performance and Memory Management
This module enables students to understand that memory on a computer is a finite resource. It talks about how
good application design and good coding discipline with memory management will help programmers learn to
develop applications that are fast, responsive, and do not negatively impact other applications.
Lessons
Value Types vs Reference Types
Converting Types
The Garbage Collector
Lab 1: Using Value Types and Reference Types
Implement value and reference types correctly in an application
Convert between value types and reference types
Use the garbage collector
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Implement value and reference types correctly in an application
Convert between value types and reference types
Use the garbage collector
