Morgan Zintec
Computer Science Project guide
The project notes
1. Selection Analysis and formulation
a) Introduction
What is this chapter going to cover?
b) Background
A description of the background to your problem. This can be a
complete work of fiction but should fully describe the setting of
your problem.
c) Problem definition/ identification
A description of the actual problem area. The problem should be
one of sufficient complexity to enable you to do non trivial
project.
d) Analysis of the Existing system
An in depth analyses of the existing system and the problem which
it currently has. What are the reasons for these problems – the
existing system may be a non computerized system which now
needs updating.
e) Objectives
What do you hope to achieve. These objectives should relate to
problems described in the previous section. This is an important
section because you will later be evaluating your project to see if
your objectives have been achieved.
f) User interface of the existing system
What is the form of interaction with the user of the existing system
i.e. who does what…. With what….and How….?
Summary
Summarize the whole chapter and introduce the next chapter.
2. Solution to the problem
Overall plan
Introduction
Is the sequence of tasks going to be? What decisions are you going to
make?
a) Alternative methods
An evaluation of the alternative methods of solution …. are you
going to purchase ready made software? Are you are going to hire
programmers to write your programs? ….are you going to write
the program yourself?
High or low level languages? Which programming language?
What data is going to be stored? What sort of file structures – serial
or random access (recommended)
b) Justification
Your decisions … and you need to justify the choices in the
previous section…
Summary
Summarize the whole chapter and introduce the next chapter.
3. Design Methodology
a) Design Inputs/ Outputs
Design of data capture. How is it going to be done? DDE or data
capture forms. Any special hardware needed e.g. bar code readers?
Design of data entry screens if data is to be entered at the
keyboard.
What data will be output? Screen output needs to be designed.
Printed output needs to be designed.
b) Design processes
What processing of data will need to be carried out? Describe it.
Will there be any searches or sorts possible? Any number
crunching to be done…
Draw data flow diagrams for your system.
c) Modular Design
Split up your task into discrete modules. What units ( libraries of
subroutines) are you going to be using? A good idea use your own!
d) Design Data structure
What files will be store? A description of the design of your
records. What fields will be stored and what type will each field
be? Did you use any special codes in any of the fields?
e) Design user interface
How will the user interact with your program? Will there be a GUI
or a menu interface? What is the hierarchy of the menus?
f) Testing Strategy
You need to devise a strategy for testing your project. Describe
how the will be done. Use “test harness” programs to test
subroutines. Devise test data and expected results for the individual
programs. Devise a test scenario with expected outputs.
Summary
Summarize the whole chapter and introduce the next chapter.
4. Implementation
a) Evaluation of tools etc
Describe the main tools of your program i.e. loops, arrays,
recursion, procedures, functions. Did you use specific data
structures like queues, stacks, linear lists? …. Why not?
What methods did you use for example deleting records?
b) Justification
…….. and justify why you needed to use them in the context of
your program.
c) Effective Solution
Don’t worry about this one. It is the moderator to say whether your
solution is good ( or not)
d) Technical documentation
A list of units and what procedures are contained in them
A list of all procedures and functions used and what each one does.
A full listing of the variables and constants used, giving their types.
Pseudocode is vital here ( or flowcharts if you prefer!!!)
A full listing of the program goes here. Make sure it is fully
annotated with plenty of comments
e) User manual
Instructions for the user
For installing and running your system
Try to attain a professional look to your manual.
Summary
Summarize the whole chapter and introduce the next chapter.
5. Testing and Evaluation
Introduction
Say what you are going to do.
a) Discussion of results
An analysis of results of your testing. Give details of any
alterations that needed to be made to the program for any failed
tests. It would be tactful ( and probably honest) to make sure that
some of the test runs did not succeed!
b) Evaluation
Does your finished project solve problems originally given? Have
you achieved the objectives stated in section 1? Make this a
substantial section if you can.
c) Limitations and strengths
Has your program got any limitations which you have encountered.
These may be due to limitations of the programming language used
or due to the program which you have written. What are the
strengths of you program?
d) Recommendations
Are there any developments which you would like to make to your
program but did not have the time? What future developments
would you like to see to your new system. For example extra data
stored, new process added etc …… networks, internet etc ……
Summary
Summarize the whole chapter and introduce the next chapter.
Ad references and the evidence of the existing system
Nyamukachi © 2024
