We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Take this course

How to Code

Complex Data

Gregor Kiczales

5.0

Based on 5 ratings

, see reviews

Gregor Kiczales

As your program requirements get more complex, you will find that simple additions to the design method make it easy to write well-structured and well-tested code that is easy to maintain.

By learning how to capture common data and control structures using abstraction, your programs will get shorter and better tested.

As your program requirements get more complex, you will find that simple additions to the design method make it easy to write well-structured and well-tested code that is easy to maintain.

By learning how to capture common data and control structures using abstraction, your programs will get shorter and better tested.

Building on the core methods from How to Code: Simple Data, this programming course, part of the Software Development MicroMasters program, quickly expands to cover more complex programs on more complex data. Towards the end of the course, you will design programs that even experienced developers would find challenging.

You will also learn how to design search programs. You will design a program to solve Sudoku puzzles, and will be able to design many other puzzle solvers as well.

Learners who enroll in the Verified track will receive staff grading for the course project and increased interaction with the instructor and staff.

Learner Testimonial

"It's a great course and maybe one of the most important topics to master if you're a programmer (any level). This course will teach you how to design better, cleaner and faster programs." - Previous Student

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions
How to avoid repetition using abstraction

How to design functions that operate on graphs
How to design programs that search a given problem space to find a valid solution

How to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions
How to avoid repetition using abstraction
How to design functions that operate on graphs
How to design programs that search a given problem space to find a valid solution

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops core programming skills in data structures, algorithms, and problem solving, which are key to software engineering

Focuses on abstraction, which is a key concept in software engineering and computer science

Led by Gregor Kiczales, a researcher and professor in the field of software engineering

Introduces object-oriented programming, an essential paradigm in software development

Teaches how to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions, a useful skill in software design

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Designing programs with complex data

According to learners, this course provides an excellent foundation for designing well-structured and well-tested programs, especially when dealing with complex data structures. Students appreciate how it builds logically on the previous course, "How to Code: Simple Data." The unique design recipes taught are frequently highlighted as a valuable takeaway that helps in breaking down complicated problems. While the course material, particularly on graphs and search algorithms, can be challenging, reviewers generally find the assignments to be engaging and rewarding, pushing their understanding. The focus on abstraction and design methodology is seen as key to handling more advanced programming tasks.

Success depends on applying the methods.

"You really need to practice applying the design recipes on your own to master them."

"The course provides the framework, but applying it to new problems is key and takes practice."

"Simply watching lectures isn't enough; consistent practice with the design method is crucial."

Continues concepts from the first course.

"It's essential to have taken the first course, 'Simple Data,' or have equivalent knowledge to follow this one."

"This course is a perfect continuation and expansion of the design principles introduced previously."

"Coming from the 'Simple Data' course, I found this flowed very well and built upon the concepts effectively."

Homework requires effort but is rewarding.

"The assignments are challenging, but completing them gives you a real sense of accomplishment and learning."

"Be prepared to spend significant time on the homework problems; they require deep thinking."

"Some assignments felt quite difficult, but working through them solidified the design principles for me."

Introduces graphs, trees, and search.

"The sections on graphs and search algorithms were particularly insightful and well-explained."

"Learning how to design programs for recursive data like trees and graphs was a major plus for me."

"Tackling problems like the Sudoku solver really demonstrated the power of the design methods on complex data."

Teaches a systematic approach to coding.

"The design recipes are incredibly helpful for structuring thoughts and writing better code."

"I finally understand how to approach complex problems systematically thanks to the design methodology taught here."

"This course hammered home the importance of design before coding, which improved my process significantly."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Code: Complex Data with these activities:

Review the basics of object-oriented programming

Show steps

Refreshes your understanding of the fundamental concepts of object-oriented programming, which will help you better grasp the application and benefits of design patterns.

Browse courses on Object-Oriented Programming

Show steps

Review online resources or tutorials on OOP basics
Practice writing simple OOP programs

Create a blog post or article about a specific design pattern

Show steps

Helps you to synthesize and reinforce your understanding of a design pattern by explaining it to others in a clear and concise manner.

Browse courses on Design Patterns

Show steps

Choose a specific design pattern
Research and gather information
Write a blog post or article explaining the pattern

Follow online tutorials on specific design patterns

Show steps

Provides structured and guided learning materials that can supplement your understanding of specific design patterns.

Browse courses on Design Patterns

Show steps

Search for online tutorials on the specific design pattern
Follow the tutorial step by step
Practice implementing the pattern in code

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Participate in a study group or discussion forum

Show steps

Allows you to engage with other learners, ask questions, share insights, and learn from different perspectives on design patterns.

Browse courses on Design Patterns

Show steps

Find or join a study group or discussion forum
Actively participate in discussions
Share your understanding and help others

Start a personal project to apply design patterns

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience with applying design patterns in a real-world setting, which will deepen your understanding and retention of the concepts.

Browse courses on Design Patterns

Show steps

Choose a project idea that aligns with the design patterns you want to apply
Design your solution using the appropriate design patterns
Implement your solution in code

Work on a design pattern delivery

Show steps

Develop a software component or solution that utilizes one or more design patterns. This will solidify your understanding and demonstrate your ability to apply patterns in a practical context.

Browse courses on Design Patterns

Show steps

Identify a specific design pattern or set of patterns
Design and implement a software component or solution that incorporates the identified pattern(s)
Test and evaluate the implementation

Read 'Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software'

Show steps

Provide an understanding of design patterns, which are reusable solutions to commonly occurring problems in software design. This will help you write more maintainable and extensible code.

Show steps

Read the book
Take notes or summarize key concepts
Discuss the patterns with classmates or colleagues

Participate in coding challenges or design pattern competitions

Show steps

Provides a fun and challenging way to test your understanding of design patterns and apply them in a competitive environment.

Browse courses on Design Patterns

Show steps

Identify a coding challenge or design pattern competition
Prepare for the competition
Participate in the competition and strive to solve the problem using design patterns

Career center

Learners who complete How to Code: Complex Data will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Scientist

Data Scientists are responsible for analyzing data and extracting insights to help businesses make better decisions. By taking this course, you will learn how to design programs that search a given problem space to find a valid solution, a skill that is essential for Data Scientists who need to be able to identify patterns and trends in data. Additionally, you will learn how to avoid repetition using abstraction, which will help you to write more efficient and maintainable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. By taking this course, you will learn how to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions, a skill that is essential for Software Engineers who need to be able to write reusable and maintainable code. Additionally, you will learn how to design functions that operate on graphs, which will help you to write more efficient and scalable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write and test code to create software applications. By taking this course, you will learn how to avoid repetition using abstraction, a skill that is essential for Computer Programmers who need to be able to write efficient and maintainable code. Additionally, you will learn how to design programs that search a given problem space to find a valid solution, a skill that is essential for Computer Programmers who need to be able to write code that can solve complex problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to help businesses make better decisions. By taking this course, you will learn how to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions, a skill that is essential for Data Analysts who need to be able to write reusable and maintainable code. Additionally, you will learn how to design functions that operate on graphs, which will help you to write more efficient and scalable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help businesses to improve their performance by identifying and solving problems. By taking this course, you will learn how to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions, a skill that is essential for Business Analysts who need to be able to write reusable and maintainable code. Additionally, you will learn how to design programs that search a given problem space to find a valid solution, a skill that is essential for Business Analysts who need to be able to solve complex problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts design, develop, and maintain computer systems. By taking this course, you will learn how to design programs that search a given problem space to find a valid solution, a skill that is essential for Systems Analysts who need to be able to write code that can solve complex problems. Additionally, you will learn how to design functions that operate on graphs, which will help you to write more efficient and scalable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites. By taking this course, you will learn how to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions, a skill that is essential for Web Developers who need to be able to write reusable and maintainable code. Additionally, you will learn how to design functions that operate on graphs, which will help you to write more efficient and scalable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators design, develop, and maintain databases. By taking this course, you will learn how to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions, a skill that is essential for Database Administrators who need to be able to write reusable and maintainable code. Additionally, you will learn how to design functions that operate on graphs, which will help you to write more efficient and scalable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

IT Architect

IT Architects design and develop IT systems. By taking this course, you will learn how to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions, a skill that is essential for IT Architects who need to be able to write reusable and maintainable code. Additionally, you will learn how to design functions that operate on graphs, which will help you to write more efficient and scalable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Architect

Software Architect

Software Architects design and develop software systems. By taking this course, you will learn how to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions, a skill that is essential for Software Architects who need to be able to write reusable and maintainable code. Additionally, you will learn how to design functions that operate on graphs, which will help you to write more efficient and scalable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Data Engineer

Data Engineers design and develop data pipelines. By taking this course, you will learn how to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions, a skill that is essential for Data Engineers who need to be able to write reusable and maintainable code. Additionally, you will learn how to design functions that operate on graphs, which will help you to write more efficient and scalable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers design and develop machine learning models. By taking this course, you will learn how to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions, a skill that is essential for Machine Learning Engineers who need to be able to write reusable and maintainable code. Additionally, you will learn how to design functions that operate on graphs, which will help you to write more efficient and scalable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers design and develop user interfaces. By taking this course, you will learn how to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions, a skill that is essential for User Experience Designers who need to be able to write reusable and maintainable code. Additionally, you will learn how to design functions that operate on graphs, which will help you to write more efficient and scalable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Project Manager

Project Managers plan and execute projects. By taking this course, you will learn how to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions, a skill that is essential for Project Managers who need to be able to write reusable and maintainable code. Additionally, you will learn how to design functions that operate on graphs, which will help you to write more efficient and scalable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Intelligence Analyst

Business Intelligence Analysts analyze data to help businesses make better decisions. By taking this course, you will learn how to identify commonalities in data definitions and functions, a skill that is essential for Business Intelligence Analysts who need to be able to write reusable and maintainable code. Additionally, you will learn how to design functions that operate on graphs, which will help you to write more efficient and scalable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Intelligence Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 24 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Code: Complex Data.

The Art of Computer Programming, Volume 4B

Save

This multi-volume series provides a comprehensive treatment of computer science, covering topics such as algorithms, data structures, and programming languages. It valuable resource for learners who want to deepen their understanding of the fundamental concepts of computer science.

How to Code

Complex Data

What's inside

Learning objectives

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Designing programs with complex data

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses