Program Design and Development
Ben Davis
7 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This AP Computer Science Principles study guide covers program development, including development processes (waterfall, agile, devops, exploratory), iterative vs. incremental development, phases of program development (investigation, design, documentation), program requirements and specifications, program documentation (comments, importance of documentation), and sourcing your work (citation). It emphasizes exam preparation with practice questions and key takeaways.
#AP Computer Science Principles: Program Development Study Guide 🚀
Hey there! Ready to ace the AP CSP exam? This guide is your ultimate resource, designed to make sure you're confident and fully prepared. Let's dive in!
#1. Program Development: The Big Picture 🖼️
Program development is all about how software is made, from initial ideas to the final product. It's not just about coding; it's a whole process! This section will cover development processes, phases, and documentation. Let's get started!
Program development is a structured process, not just random coding. Understanding this process is crucial for both the exam and your Create project.
#Types of Development Processes
Traditionally, development is structured and intentional. However, there are many ways to approach it. Let's explore a few:
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Waterfall Model: A step-by-step process where each stage flows into the next. Think of it like a waterfall – each stage must be completed before moving on.
The waterfall model is a linear approach, good for projects with clear requirements.
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Agile and DevOps: More flexible approaches that emphasize collaboration and adaptation. These methods allow for changes during the development process.
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Exploratory: Less structured, involving experimentation. This can happen when there are no specific guidelines or under time pressure.
Be able to identify the characteristics of different development models. The exam often tests your understanding of when each model is most appropriate.
#Iterative vs. Incremental Development
These are two key concepts for the AP exam:
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Iterative Development: 🔄 Think repetition. You develop a prototype and then cycle back through the development stages to improve it. Each iteration makes the program better.
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Incremental Development: 🧱 Think building blocks. You break the program into smaller parts, ensuring each part works before combining them. It's like building with LEGOs.
**Iterative = Repea...
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