Executive summary
This section builds the conceptual foundations of computer programming and applies them through a small object-oriented project. Learners start with the purpose, benefits, history and building blocks of programming languages, then study algorithms — what they are, the common techniques used to design them, and how they are represented in flowcharts. The section develops into object-oriented programming (OOP), covering its benefits, when it is appropriate, and the core ideas of objects and classes, alongside the tools used to build, test and deploy software. It concludes with a hands-on mini OOP project in which learners define a problem, design a solution, implement it, and evaluate the result.
Aims
The section aims to develop both the theoretical understanding and the practical, problem-solving mindset that underpin software development. Learners should be able to reason about algorithms, appreciate the value of object-oriented approaches, use appropriate development tools, and carry a small programming problem from definition through to a working, evaluated solution.
Summary of learning outcomes
| LO1 | Understand the principles, benefits and history of computer programming and the components of programming languages. |
| LO2 | Understand algorithms — their definition, common design techniques, and representation through flowcharts. |
| LO3 | Understand object-oriented programming, including its benefits and the concepts of objects and classes. |
| LO4 | Understand the tools used to develop, test and deploy software applications. |
| LO5 | Be able to design, implement and evaluate a solution to a programming problem using an object-oriented approach. |
Indicative content
- Introduction and history: benefits and principles of programming; history of programming languages; the components that make up a language.
- Algorithms: algorithm definition; common algorithmic techniques; designing and reading flowcharts.
- OOP and tools: benefits of OOP and when to use it; objects and classes; development tools, testing and deployment.
- Mini OOP project: problem definition; flowchart and development plan; implementation; evaluation of the finished solution.
Assessment approach
Knowledge across LO1–LO4 is reinforced through unit-level activities and quizzes. The primary assessment is the mini OOP project (LO5), a portfolio-style task in which learners submit a problem definition, a flowchart and development plan, their implementation, and a written evaluation — demonstrating applied competence rather than recall alone.
