SOLID Programming: Open-Closed Principle in Unity from Coursera

Programming of any kind, including in game-development, can get complicated as the size and scope of a project increase. Investigating bugs and expanding the code with new functionality can be almost impossible if the code-structure is not well-thought-out.

In this one-hour, project-based course, we will cover the second principle of "SOLID" programming: Open-Closed Principle ("OCP") states that a class should be open for extension but closed for modification. It sounds like a contradiction, but it will allow us to add functionality to our sample game without touching existing code. In the project, we will create some "typical" code that is fairly common in game-development, and then restructure it to become compliant with OCP.

This project is part two of a five-part series on SOLID Programming principles, which are:

- Single Responsibility

- Open-Closed (this guided project)

- Liskov's Substitution

- Interface Segregation

- Dependency Inversion

Each of these guided projects stands on its own, but for a full understanding of good coding practices, completing all five guided projects (in order) is recommended.

What's inside

Syllabus

Project Overview

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches Open-Closed Principle, an industry-standard principle for coding, specifically game development

Practical course that helps learners apply Open-Closed Principle to their coding projects

Course is part of a larger series on SOLID programming principles, providing learners with a comprehensive understanding of coding best practices

Taught by Edward Falzon, an experienced game developer and instructor

May require learners to have some prior knowledge of coding and game development

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 SOLID Programming: Open-Closed Principle in Unity with these activities:

Review 'SOLID Principles'

Show steps

Review the book 'SOLID Principles in Object-Oriented Design' by Robert C. Martin to increase your understanding of SOLID principles and how to apply them effectively in your software development projects.

View Functional Design: Principles, Patterns, and... on Amazon

Show steps

Purchase or borrow a copy of the book.
Set aside an hour per day to read the book.
Take notes on the key concepts and principles.
Apply the principles to your own projects.

Design a Game Mechanic with Open-Closed Principle

Show steps

Create a game mechanic that adheres to the Open-Closed Principle, making it easy to extend and modify without breaking existing code.

Show steps

Identify a game mechanic that you want to create.
Design the mechanic using the Open-Closed Principle.
Implement the mechanic in your game.
Test the mechanic to ensure that it works as expected.
Share your mechanic with other developers.

Follow a Course on Open-Closed Principle

Show steps

Enroll in an online course or tutorial that provides a structured approach to learning about the Open-Closed Principle and its applications in software development.

Show steps

Choose an online course or tutorial.
Complete the course or tutorial.
Apply the principles you learned to your own projects.

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Solve Coding Challenges on Open-Closed Principle

Show steps

Practice solving coding challenges that require the application of the Open-Closed Principle to develop solutions that are both extensible and maintainable.

Show steps

Find coding challenges that focus on the Open-Closed Principle.
Solve the coding challenges.
Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement.

Write a Blog Post on Open-Closed Principle

Show steps

Compose a blog post or article that provides a comprehensive overview of the Open-Closed Principle and its relevance to software development, clarifying key concepts and practical applications.

Show steps

Do research on the Open-Closed Principle.
Write an outline for your blog post.
Draft your blog post.
Edit and proofread your blog post.
Publish your blog post.

Develop a Small Game Using Open-Closed Principle

Show steps

Create a small game that demonstrates the application of the Open-Closed Principle, allowing you to gain hands-on experience in designing and implementing extensible software.

Show steps

Design the game using the Open-Closed Principle.
Develop the game.
Test the game.
Deploy the game.

Career center

Learners who complete SOLID Programming: Open-Closed Principle in Unity will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Developer

Game Developers create and program video games for a variety of platforms, including consoles, mobile devices, and personal computers. Knowledge of SOLID programming principles can lead to more efficient and maintainable code, allowing game developers to focus on creating engaging and fun experiences for players. This course provides a strong foundation in Open-Closed Principle, which is essential when working on large or complex game projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. Understanding and adhering to SOLID programming principles, such as Open-Closed Principle, is crucial for building robust and flexible software applications. This course provides a valuable opportunity for Software Engineers to strengthen their skills in this area and enhance their ability to deliver high-quality software solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Technical Architect

Technical Architects design and oversee the development of software systems. A deep understanding of SOLID programming principles, including Open-Closed Principle, is essential for ensuring that software systems are well-structured, maintainable, and extensible. This course can provide Technical Architects with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and guide the development process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Architect

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts analyze and design business systems. Knowledge of SOLID programming principles, such as Open-Closed Principle, helps Systems Analysts create efficient and effective systems that meet the needs of their clients. This course provides a strong foundation in this area, enabling Systems Analysts to excel in their roles and deliver high-quality solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test and evaluate software to ensure that it meets requirements and is free of defects. Understanding SOLID programming principles, such as Open-Closed Principle, allows Quality Assurance Analysts to identify potential issues more efficiently and contribute to the development of high-quality software. This course can provide Quality Assurance Analysts with the skills they need to succeed in their roles and ensure the delivery of reliable and stable software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers collaborate with software development and operations teams to ensure smooth and efficient software delivery. Knowledge of SOLID programming principles, including Open-Closed Principle, helps DevOps Engineers create automated and reliable deployment processes. This course can provide DevOps Engineers with the skills they need to optimize the software delivery pipeline and deliver high-quality software.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists analyze and interpret data to extract insights and make informed decisions. Knowledge of SOLID programming principles, such as Open-Closed Principle, helps Data Scientists create scalable and maintainable data pipelines. This course can provide Data Scientists with the skills they need to develop robust data analysis systems and deliver valuable insights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze and evaluate business processes to identify areas for improvement. Knowledge of SOLID programming principles, such as Open-Closed Principle, helps Business Analysts design and document efficient and effective business systems. This course can provide Business Analysts with the skills they need to succeed in their roles and deliver valuable insights to their organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and control projects to achieve specific goals. Knowledge of SOLID programming principles, such as Open-Closed Principle, helps Project Managers create realistic project plans and manage project dependencies. This course can provide Project Managers with the skills they need to effectively manage software development projects and deliver successful outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

UX Designer

UX Designers design and evaluate user interfaces to ensure that they are intuitive and user-friendly. Knowledge of SOLID programming principles, such as Open-Closed Principle, helps UX Designers create reusable and maintainable UI components. This course can provide UX Designers with the skills they need to develop high-quality user interfaces that meet the needs of users.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain documentation for software and other technical products. Knowledge of SOLID programming principles, such as Open-Closed Principle, helps Technical Writers create clear and concise documentation that is easy to understand and follow. This course can provide Technical Writers with the skills they need to effectively communicate complex technical information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Software Tester

Software Testers evaluate software to identify and report bugs. Knowledge of SOLID programming principles, such as Open-Closed Principle, helps Software Testers create effective test cases and identify potential issues more efficiently. This course can provide Software Testers with the skills they need to contribute to the delivery of high-quality software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Tester

Database Administrator

Database Administrators design, implement, and maintain databases. Knowledge of SOLID programming principles, such as Open-Closed Principle, helps Database Administrators create scalable and reliable database systems. This course can provide Database Administrators with the skills they need to effectively manage and optimize databases.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Network Administrator

Network Administrators design, implement, and maintain computer networks. Knowledge of SOLID programming principles, such as Open-Closed Principle, helps Network Administrators create reliable and secure networks. This course can provide Network Administrators with the skills they need to effectively manage and optimize networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Technical Support Specialist

Technical Support Specialists provide technical assistance to users of software and other technical products. Knowledge of SOLID programming principles, such as Open-Closed Principle, helps Technical Support Specialists understand and resolve technical issues more efficiently. This course may be useful for Technical Support Specialists who want to enhance their skills in this area and provide better support to their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Specialist