Unit 12 Software Development
– Design a Program
Bradley emmens
2B.P2) Describe the purpose and user
requirements for the software program
Purpose of the program
• Describe the purpose of the currency converter program
My manager has asked me to design a program a program in visual basic that converts different currencies
based on an exchange rate. The currencies that I will need to convert from pound sterling to Australian dollars,
Euros, Swiss francs, Rand and US Dollars.
User requirements of the program
• Describe the user requirements of the currency converter program
The program needs to be easy to use, needs to do the currency for them and it has to be accurate.
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?
Steves travels wants a program that can convert currencies based on
exchange rates
• Who has the problem?
the company steves travels
• Who is the client and customer for this scenario?
Customers who want to change there currency
• Who will require the solution?
Steves travels
Proposed solution
• How will you solve the problem?
• Consider design and planning
• Programming language
• Programming characteristics to be used
• What will it be released as? Executable?
I will solve the problem using visual studio which has
visual basic within it
The design will have Textbox, radio buttons, labels
The code will have Variables
It will be released as an Executable
Screen layout
• Create a mock-up of how you want your program to look
Data Inputs and Outputs
• Document the data inputs needed for your mock up program to
function
The amount of money that the customer wants to convert
Currency being converted to
• Document the expected outputs needed for your mock up program to
function
The amount paid out having been converted
Data Dictionary
• Screen print the data dictionary in here
Variable Name Description Data type
Amount of money Convert the pounds to double
another currency
Currency being converted Calculates the amount and string
to show
The amount paid out The amount that is paid double
out
Written Algorithm
• Look at your mock up design and produce a written algorithm
showing the sequence of steps your program will follow.
1. Input amount of money
2. Input currency
3. Calculate amount to pay out
4. Output the amount
Test Plan
• Screen print the test plan in here
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.
An alternative solution would be to include a dropdown menu
so the user can in put a currency which would be an extra click
for the user
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.
User clicks on Program multiplies the
start
radio button input by the conversion Shows the output total
rate
end
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.
my design works because its simplistic which makes it easy for the end user to use
the program and achieve what they want to.
I used the radio buttons to change the conversion to different currencies easily and
select one once.
Justification – User Requirements
• Remember to refer back to 2B.P2 where you described user
requirements. Justify how your design decisions will fulfil them.
My design fulfils the user requirements because it is easy to understand and use
It converts the selected currencies and shows an accurate output of the result
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?
Time period for creation
Harder coding
Complexity
Features
Screen size can cause over grouping
making hard to use or read
Rejection of alternative solutions
• Explain why the alternative solutions mentioned in 2B.M2 have been
rejected.
I didn’t have enough time to include a drop down menu for
the currencies because of the complexity of the alternative
solution.
