Subject Code and Name CMP1041 – Foundation Programming
Assessment Number 1
Assessment Title Foundations and Pseudocode
Assessment Type Report
Length or Duration 1,000 words +/- 10%
Subject Learning Outcomes SLO 1, SLO 2
Submission Date / Time Week 3
Weighting 25%
Assessment Purpose
Software development companies are experts at writing bug free programs and are often contracted by clients to fix existing programs and to write new programs. Companies may not have software developers in their staff, and instead choose to outsource software development to a software development company.
In this assessment you will work for a software development company, called Professional Software, who have recently been contracted to write a report that will
1) provide advice to a client regarding software development
2) identify bugs in an existing program
3) develop a new pseudocode program
These programs automate the calculation of students’ GPA. You have the opportunity to apply your understanding of software development to help the client automate these calculations. As an employee of the software company it is your role to write a report that will solve the client’s needs and problems.
Assessment Task / Item
For this assessment, you must submit a report that addresses the five (5) tasks listed below.
Assessment Instructions
For this assessment you are required to read the scenario email below and respond by completing the following five (5) tasks. Write your responses to the following five (5) tasks in the form of a report, addressing every point in each of the five tasks. You will submit your report as one (1) PDF file.
The following email was received from the client:
Hi Professional Software!
My name is John Doe, and I am a project manager at ABC college. Thank you for accepting our contract to fix our existing program, which calculates students’ GPA, and to help us build a new program, to calculate changes in tuition fees for the next 3 years.
ABC College has no software developers, however, we do hire freelance software developers to convert pseudocode into programs that we can run. I’m not very technical and I don’t know much about software. Can you educate me about what pseudocode is? Can you also educate me about how a programming language is turned into a program that I can run on my computer?
We previously had a program built, which helps us calculate GPA for each student, however, we think that it is wrong. It seems to be calculating the wrong GPA . Can you take a look at the pseudocode of the program and inform us of any problems with it?
0: Start
1: //GPA formula = SUM(grade * hours_per_subjec)/ total_hours
2: DECLARATION grade1=0, grade2=0, grade3=0, hours_per_subject, total_hours =0, grade_points =0, GPA =0
3: PROMPT “Enter score for Subject 1:”
4: GET grade1
5: PROMPT “Enter credit hours for Subject 1:”
6: GET hours_per_subject
7: grade_points = grade1 * hours_per_subject
8: total_hours = hours_per_subject
9: PROMPT “Enter score for Subject 2:”
10: GET grade2
11: PROMPT “Enter credit hours for Subject 2:”
12: GET hours_per_subject
13: grade_points += grade2 * hours_per_subject
14: total_hours += hours_per_subject
15: PROMPT “Enter score for Subject 3:”
16: GET grade3
17: PROMPT “Enter credit hours for Subject 3:”
18: GET hours_per_subject
19: grade_points += grade3 * hours_per_subject
20: total_hours += hours_per_subject
21: GPA = grade_point /total_hours
22: OUTPUT “The student GPA is : ” GPA
23: Stop
Output Example:
Enter score for Subject 1 : 60
Enter credit hours for Subject 1: 3 Enter score for Subject 2 : 70
Enter credit hours for Subject 2: 5
Enter score for Subject 3 : 80
Enter credit hours for Subject 3: 6
The student GPA is : 72.14
Can you also help us develop a new algorithm that will calculate the tuition fees of the computer science degree for the next 3 years. Please note that the current annual tuition fee to study a computer science degree at our college is $10000 and it is expected to increase by 5% each year.
Sincerely,
John Doe – Project Manager at ABC College
Write a report to be sent back to the client with at least the following sections:
● Title – include the name of the client company.
● Summary – detail what is in the report.
● A section for each of the five tasks below.
Task 1
The client is unsure of what pseudocode is and how programs can be run on their machine. Provide the following information in your report:
i) Explain to the client what pseudocode is, specifically discuss why it is used to implement conceptual algorithms. (100 words or less).
ii) Explain to the client that the provided pseudocode can be turned into a programming language, and explain how that programming language is transformed into a machine language that can be run on their machine. (100 words or less).
Task 2
The client provided pseudocode for calculating students’ GPA that he believes has bugs in it. Find all syntax errors in the provided pseudocode and provide the following information in your report:
i) The number of syntax errors in the provided code.
ii) The client is not a software developer, to help them understand the problem, describe what a syntax error is.
iii) Which line of code contains the syntax error? iv) Fix the syntax error and provide the fixed code.
You may use the following template, replacing all of the <…> with the correct information:
This code has <number_of_syntax_errrors> syntax errors.
For your information, syntax errors are… <describe what syntax errors are>.
Syntax Error (at line <line_number_with_syntax_error>):
<insert_code_with_syntax_error> Replace this line with:
<insert_fixed_code>
Task 3
The client wants pseudocode for calculating students GPA that he believes has bugs in it. Find all logical errors in the provided pseudocode and provide the following information in your report:
i) The number of logic errors in the provided code.
ii) Your client is not a software developer, to help them understand the problem, describe what a
logic error is. iii) Which line of code does the logic error occur in. iv) Fix the logic error and provide the fixed code.
v) Describe why the code was changed to resolve the logic error.
You may use the following template, replacing all of the <…> with the correct information:
This code has <number_of_logic_errrors> logic errors.
Logic errors are… <describe what logic errors are>.
Logic Error (at <line_number_with_logic_error>):
<insert_code_with_logic_error> Replace this line with:
<insert_fixed_code> Reasoning for change:
<reason_for_change>
Task 4
The annual tuition fees to study a computer science degree at ABC College is $10000 and it is expected to increase by 5% each year. The client wants pseudocode for a new program that will calculate the tuition fees of the computer science degree for the next 3 years. Write pseudocode that:-
i) takes two inputs: the current annual tuition fees(10000), and the annual increase rate(5%).
ii) calculate the tuition fees by multiplying the annual tuition fees for each year by the 5% increase. iii) outputs three values: the tuition fees for the years 2023, 2024 & 2025.
Sample output:
The tuition fees for the year 2023 are: $10500
The tuition fees for the year 2024 are: $11025
The tuition fees for the year 2025 are: $11576.25
Task 5
To check if the pseudocode you wrote in task 4 is correct! Provide the following to the client so they have confidence in your program:
i) Provide information about what a desk check is and why it is important.
ii) Perform desk checks with at least three data sets, choose your own data sets and provide the results so the client can confirm the program is not buggy for themselves! iii) your data set will be 2 inputs (annual tuition fees and increase rate(%)), and 3 outputs, the tuition fees for the years 2023, 2024 & 2025.
You may use the following template, replacing all of the <…> with the correct information:
For your information, we ran a desk check on this program… <information about what a desk check is and why they are used>
Data Set 1 Data Set 2 Data Set 3
Annual Tuition Fees 10000 <..> <..>
Increase rate 0.05 <..> <..>
Data Set 1 Data Set 2 Data Set 3
Tuition Fees – 2023 10500 <..> <..>
Tuition Fees – 2023 11025 <..> <..>
Tuition Fees – 2023 11576.25 <..> <..>
Statement Number <variable 1> <variable 2> …
1 <..> <..> <..>
2 <..> <..> <..>
3 <..> <..> <..>
… <..> <..> <..>
Submission
Export your report in a pdf format with the following naming convention:
[Student_ID]_[Surname]_[First Name]_[SubjectCode]_[Assessment_#].pdf
E.g.: 1234_Singh_Visha_CMP1041_Assessment_01.pdf
Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and various other word processing applications can export/publish to the pdf format.
All work must be submitted via the LMS, in the assignments section appropriate to this brief. Please ensure the above-mentioned submission date and/or time are adhered to, or penalties may apply.
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Assessment Rubric
Task Descriptor (F)
Fail (P) Pass (C)
Credit (D)
Distinction (HD)
High
Distinction
Interpret and discuss fundamental programming concepts
40% An inadequate response is submitted, which inaccurately or
insufficiently explains pseudocode and its purpose, and/or the syntax errors and their evolution or impact. A basic response is provided with a number of inaccuracies, which
briefly covers the fundamental concepts of programming and includes:
A limited discussion about what pseudocode is, which lacks depth or accuracy;
An attempt to describe where the syntax and logic errors are, but which requires further detail. A clear response is provided with a few inaccuracies that need correcting, but it outlines the fundamental concepts of programming and includes:
A discussion about what pseudocode is and how it can be used, but, which requires a little more detail around either it benefits, construction and encoding;
A basic description of where the syntax and logic errors are, but a limited explanation of how they could occur or impact the code. A detailed response is provided with very few errors, which outlines the fundamental concepts of programming and includes
An accurate explanation of the function, benefits and rationale for pseudocode, which includes some discussion around its construction and encoding;
Specifying most syntax and logic errors, explaining how they might occur and the impacts they have. An exceptional response is provided without errors, which discusses the fundamental concepts of programming, using language which is both highly professional and technically sound, and includes:
A concise and accurate explanation of the function, benefits and rationale for pseudocode,
expertly clarifying how it can be constructed and encoded;
An accurate sophisticated and structured outline of all the syntax and logic errors, that includes detailing how they manifest and the impacts they have.
Determine the process for the implementation of algorithms
20% The provided pseudocode provided:
Consists of inputs and outputs that are mostly incorrect and numerous syntax or logical errors that render the outcome incomplete or unusable; The provided pseudocode:
Includes inputs and outputs which are mostly correct, but consist of syntax or logical errors that significantly impact the outcome; The provided pseudocode:
Includes the correct inputs and outputs, but consist of a few syntax or logical errors that impact the outcome; The provided pseudocode is well presented, and:
Includes the correct inputs and outputs with no significant syntax or logic errors; The provided pseudocode is professionally and accurately presented, and:
Includes the correct inputs and outputs without any syntax or logic errors;
Does not include sufficient or clear formatting or variable names, and prompts do not resemble the example. Consists of formatting and variable names which are somewhat unclear;
Includes prompts that resemble the example. Is well formatted and named variables.
Prompts match the example, somewhat. Is well formatted and includes named variables.
it includes prompts that match the examples closely. Is professionally formatted and has informatively named variables;
it includes prompts that match the examples precisely.
Apply the process of testing to validate the correctness of an algorithm.
10% Desk checks are either not provided or are not sufficiently completed for at least two (2) data sets. Desk checks are provided for fewer than three (3) data sets, but which:
Contain most statements of the provided pseudocode, and include values that are mostly computed correctly. Desk checks are provided for three (3) data sets:
But only two (2) of which are formatted well, contain most statements of the provided pseudocode, and include values that are mostly computed correctly. Desk checks are provided for three (3) data sets, which:
Are all formatted clearly and consistently, contain most statements of the provided pseudocode, and include values that are mostly computed correctly. Desk checks are provided for three (3) data sets, which:
Are all formatted in a highly professional manner, contain all statements of the provided pseudocode, and include values that are all computed correctly.
Apply the process of debugging pseudocode to identify and correct syntax and logic errors.
20% Syntax and logic errors were either not identified or were not corrected appropriately. Some syntax and logic errors were identified and fixed in the provided pseudocode, however not all were corrected in an optimal manner and some corrections resulted in further bugs. Most syntax and logic errors were identified and
fixed in the provided pseudocode, however not all were corrected in an optimal manner. Most syntax and logic errors were identified and
fixed in the provided pseudocode, in a manner that was optimal with respect to their line of code, and line number. All syntax and logic errors were identified and
fixed in the provided pseudocode, in an optimal manner and at a professional standard with respect to their line of code, and line number.
Organize and present
content in a suitable report format
10% A student did not submit work as a report that includes a summary and clear headings.
The information in the document is inadequate, unclear or does not address the tasks that are required. Student report is presented with limited formatting or structure;
Indicates the company name, but includes a summary that is inaccurate, lacks significant detail or does not explain the contents of the report; Student report indicates the
company name and includes a brief summary, which requires some further detail or clarification;
Includes headings which mostly, relate to the sections specified Student report is formatted in a structured, and consistent manner;
Indicates the
company name and includes a summary, and headings, corresponding to each section Student report is compiled and formatted in a concise, consistent and highly professional, stylish manner;
Specifies the
company name and includes an accurate a clear and succinct
Numerous errors are apparent, making
the information difficult to comprehend. Includes some headings, which do not correspond to the tasks being completed;
Consists of frequent, significant errors. in the instructions,
but not completely;
Consists of frequent, noticeable errors. specified in the instructions;
Consists of some noticeable, yet minor errors. summary, and clear headings, corresponding to each section specified in the instructions;
Consists of very few errors.
