Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Code using advanced data structures
   • Design dynamic data structures
   • Implement and use dynamic data structures, including double-linked lists and binary trees for coding
2. Code using advanced algorithms
   • Code using hashing techniques
   • Consider and record, the advantages and disadvantages, of at least three sorting algorithms
   • Code at least one sorting algorithm
   • Code advanced searching techniques for use with complex data structures
3. Write a simple multi-process application
   • Use features of the language that enable inter-process communication through at least one mechanism
   • Use features of the language that allow for operating system ‘signals’ to be captured and responded to
4. Use third-party libraries
   • Use a third-party library in the construction of an application
   • Reference third-party documentation
   • Use procedural techniques to write an application, to work within a graphical user interface (GUI) environment
5. Debug the code
   • Use integrated development environment (IDE) debugging facilities, or a stand-alone debugger
   • Use program debugging techniques to detect, and resolve, errors of syntactical, logical and design origin
6. Document activities
   • Use source-code version control
   • Adhere to guidelines for developing maintainable code, and to a set of provided coding standards
   • Apply suitable internal documentation to all the code created, using the tools available in the target language
7. Test the code
   • Design and document the tests to be undertaken
   • Undertake limited testing of the produced code, to ensure that it complies with the program specification
   • Capture the test results
8. Create an application
   • Develop a solution, according to program-specification design document
   • Design the algorithm, and construct, and test, the application in response to a problem description and language

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

design and write code using dynamic data structures

write code using hashing techniques, sorting algorithms and advanced searching techniques

use language features that enable inter-process communication and responses to operating system signals

use third-party libraries in the construction of an application, including referencing third-party documentation

design and build an application program according to a design document

test and debug code and resolve errors of a syntactical, logical and design origin

produce documentation according to guidelines and standards.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

---

Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

identify and describe a range of programming languages

identify and describe languages for a GUI environment

summarise the techniques for developing large-scale applications

outline the procedures for programming with complex data structures

describe the procedures for using a third-party supplied library, for standard programming features.

---