Unit 12 Software Development

– Design a Program

Jacob May
 2B.P2) Describe the purpose and user
requirements for the software program
Purpose of the program
• Describe the purpose of the currency converter program

A currency converter program will help people convert different

amounts of money from one currency to another. Most commonly used
by people travelling to another country, which is the purpose behind
this program.
User requirements of the program
• Describe the user requirements of the currency converter program

The program needs to be easy to use so it accommodates all age

groups, and it needs to be accurate enough to convert the right amount
of currency.
 2B.P3) Produce a design for a program,
including:
- A problem definition statement
- A proposed solution
- A test plan
Problem Statement
• What is the problem scenario I will have to fix it in visual studio
A problem might be that the currency does not convert to the right
countries currency.
• Who has the problem
The person who is writing the program would need to adjust this.
• Who is the client and customer for this scenario?
The company we are designing the converter for.
• Who will require the solution?
The person who is writing the program.
Proposed solution
• How will you solve the problem?
• Consider design and planning
Ensuring that the planned layout is exactly how you designed it.
• Programming language
It needs to be in visual basic.
• Programming characteristics to be used
Using dropdown boxes, labels, buttons.
• What will it be released as? Executable?
It could be released to accommodate or devices. Executable will contain the file
in the program.
Screen layout
• Create a mock-up of how you want your program to look
Companies Name

Currency Converter
Enter Currency £100.00

From Pounds To US Dollars

7 8 9

4 5 6

X 0 .
Data Inputs and Outputs
• Document the data inputs needed for your mock up program to
function
The input of the program will be to put in the currency (in a separate
box at the top of the screen) that you want to know the conversion for,
and using the current exchange rate will then show how the values of
the two currencies convert.
• Document the expected outputs needed for your mock up program to
function
The output would need to show in two separate boxes the cost of
money from one currency to the other.
Data Dictionary
• Screen print the data dictionary in here
Written Algorithm
• Look at your mock up design and produce a written algorithm
showing the sequence of steps your program will follow.
• Design the layout of the program firstly, borders, dropdown boxes
showing different countries in words possibly a picture of the
countries flag.
• Simplicity, so all age groups can use it.
• Setting out where the text boxes will go to put the calculations in.
• Have the screen at the bottom as a calculator.
Test Plan
2B.M2) Produce a detailed design for a program,
including:
- Alternative solutions
- A detailed proposed solution using a range of design tools
- Test data
Alternative Solutions
• In this section you should explain two alternative solutions to create
the program. Explain why you would create each solution.
1. Make sure that the program always has the most up to date exchange
rate.
2. Probably ask the client if he wants to add more counties.
Adding more counties at the beginning will make it easier to write this
into the program now rather than add it later.
Keeping up with the exchange rate will make the program more accurate
for people using it and will be beneficial for the company knowing that
there program is up to date.
Flow Chart
• In this section you should produce a flow chart using correct shapes
to demonstrate the inputs, processes and outputs of the program
design and flow. Screenshot your evidence here.

Have the
Change to currency
Start pick a currency currency
you want
converted

Total of
Exit converted
2B.D2) Justify the design decisions, including:
- how they will fulfil the stated purpose and user
requirements
- any design constraints
Justification - Purpose
• Remember to refer back to 2B.P2 where you described two purposes.
Justify how your design decisions will fulfil the purpose.
The design fits the brief, it is clear and precise what the functions of the
program is meant to do, it doesn’t have to be complicated in order to
use it.
Justification – User Requirements
• Remember to refer back to 2B.P2 where you described user
requirements. Justify how your design decisions will fulfil them.
Everything in my design should work, the layout is simple enough to
program and is clear for people to understand how to use the
converter.
Design Constraints
• Look at your proposed solution and examine any design constraints.
What is limiting you or stopping you from designing the application
the way you really want to?
The client has only purposed a limited amount of counties on the
converter, which in the long term might restrain the clients program, as
the demand of people might want to see more countries on it.
Rejection of alternative solutions
• Explain why the alternative solutions mentioned in 2B.M2 have been
rejected.
The client has been precise about the countries they want on the
program, if we put in the other countries it would make the program
more complex and could cost the client more money if we included
them.