Skills Bootcamp in Python Programming

This course gives you a good introduction to the discipline of programming.

You will be introduced to an object-oriented programming language relevant to software with industrial scale, reliability and performance characteristics.

Relevant aspects of the language will be combined with material on appropriate algorithms and program structure elements such as libraries. Associated with this will be the use of documentation and configuration management as necessary for professional quality design and code.

This course introduces you to the fundamental principles of object-oriented analysis and design methodologies, techniques and tools for developing a computer-based system.

This will develop you as a Computing professional and provide you with a real opportunity to experience key parts of the systems development lifecycle (SDLC).

It will be delivered in a way that supports you in learning the key fundamentals that are built on in following courses and gives you some idea of what is to come. It will also give you the freedom and help you develop the confidence, to learn technical skills independently.

This course teaches you how to program a computer using a modern high-level language, introducing you to the following:

• Basic program structure – Data types, expressions, collections of data.
• The standard elements of sequence, selection, iteration, functions and file handling will be covered, together with language-provided data structures and types.
• Classes will be introduced in the context of libraries – showing how different libraries may be used to improve productivity, and how correct choice of class can improve maintainability.
• Further data structures will be covered in the context of templates, as will standard algorithms, e.g., simple sorts.
• Maintainability and testability will be covered by considering the structure and modularity of code, together with good programming practice for error checking and handling.
• Simple methodologies for software debugging will be explained and used.
• Security issues (threats, risks and mitigations) will be considered within the context of program design.
• You will use appropriate software development Integrated Design Environments (IDEs) Computer-aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools during analysis and design to ensure you gain the real technical skills and competences used by Computing Professionals within the discipline.