Understanding Software Programs and the Development Process

1. Chapter 1 - Introduction • Types - programs, software • translation process - abstract to detail, primitive, machine language - satisfy a need • system software - operating system • application programs • utility programs • data vs. information vs. knowledge

2. Application programs • programmer, analyst, systems analyst • read, process, produce information • information system • packaged/customized software • outsource or in-house • horizontal market • vertical market • VAR - value added reseller • interactive vs. batch • machine language • symbolic programs

3. Compiled/interpreted and executed • VB - Visual Basic - GUI environment • event driven • forms, controls • procedural vs. object-oriented language • user controls • object model • objects - noun • properties - adjectives • methods - verbs

4. Writing projects • 3 step process • Planning - design interface • set the properties • write the code • projects - files • .VBP - project file • .FRM - form file - objects and properties • .BAS - standard code modules • .OCX - custom controls • .VBW file - each of forms • Environment • Windows

5. Modes • design time - design and code • run time - test and run • break time - pause and run time error • Writing project • plan • define user interface • form - twips • set properties • write code - event procedure - user controls • coding statements • REM - comments • assignment statements

6. End statement • run project • save form and project - separate folder • print • Finding and fixing errors • compile errors - syntax • run-time errors - cannot execute • Logic errors - incorrect output • Naming rules and conventions • consistent - begin with a letter, up to 40 characters, letters, digits, underscore, no spaces or punctuation • naming conventions

7. Assignment #1read chapter 1, pg. 46 – Review Questions 1-15; pg. 47 - #1.2 - design only