Application Programming Fundamentals from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Getting Started with Fundamentals of Programming

In this module we'll review what you will be learning, and we'll start off with the basic concepts of programming. We will discuss what programs are, and what common elements you would come across in almost any mainstream programming language. Foremost, we'll try to get across the essential spirit and challenge of computer programming.

Programming Elements

Is this module, we will cover all of the fundamental programming elements that we intend to cover for this course. These elements include a few data types, specifically numbers, strings, Booleans and arrays. Given those data types, we'll talk about operators that work on them. We'll put those things together into expressions, and learn to use variables. Moving on, we'll learn to package reusable code in subroutines, and to incorporate both conditional and repetitive execution. Throughout, you'll have hands-on exercises to try these things, yourself. And by the end of the course, you'll be surprised by what we can do with just this handful of concepts.

Algorithms

Algorithms are language independent descriptions of the sequences of steps necessary to carry out a task. In this module, we'll look at what that means, talk about the importance of algorithms and logical thinking, and go into some detail on a simple, classic, algorithm.

Design Patterns

Design Patterns are language independent architectural blueprints to help address particular problem domains. They describe the types of components that make up the micro-architecture and the interactions both inside the design pattern and with the design pattern. In this module, we'll look at that in more detail, discuss the importance of design patterns, where you would find them, and we'll discuss a few design patterns. In lab, you'll explore a very simple design pattern.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches foundational concepts in object-oriented programming, following industry standards

Covers fundamental programming principles suitable for beginners

Demonstrates practical implementation through hands-on labs

Covers object-oriented concepts beyond basic principles

Taught by instructors with expertise in object-oriented programming

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 Application Programming Fundamentals with these activities:

Practice Python coding exercises

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Engage in regular coding practice to improve your proficiency in Python, which will be essential for implementing OOP concepts during the course.

Browse courses on Python

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Find online coding platforms or resources with Python exercises.
Dedicate time each week to solving coding problems.

Participate in peer study groups

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Engage with other students in study groups to discuss course concepts, clarify misunderstandings, and reinforce your learning.

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Form or join a study group with other students taking the course.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material, solve problems together, and quiz each other.

Follow video tutorials on OOP design patterns

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Explore design patterns used in OOP to enhance your understanding of how to structure and organize code effectively.

Browse courses on Design Patterns

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Search for video tutorials on specific design patterns (e.g., Factory, Singleton).
Follow the tutorials and practice implementing the design patterns in Python code.

Three other activities

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Become a mentor for beginner programmers

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Solidify your understanding of OOP concepts by mentoring beginner programmers and assisting them in their learning journey.

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Identify opportunities to mentor beginner programmers (e.g., online forums, coding communities).
Provide guidance, support, and feedback to help mentees grasp OOP concepts.

Develop a small OOP project

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Apply your OOP knowledge by creating a small software project that demonstrates your understanding of object-oriented principles.

Browse courses on Software Development

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Identify a problem or task that can be solved using OOP.
Design the class structure and relationships for your project.
Implement the OOP concepts in Python code.
Test and debug your project to ensure it functions correctly.

Volunteer in open-source projects related to OOP

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Contribute to open-source projects that utilize OOP principles to gain practical experience and enhance your portfolio.

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Identify open-source projects on platforms like GitHub that focus on OOP concepts.
Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
Collaborate with the project maintainers and submit pull requests with your contributions.

Career center

Learners who complete Application Programming Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers spend the majority of their time writing application code. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Web Developer

Web Developers translate designs into functional websites. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators ensure that business data is secure and accessible. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Software Developer

Software Developers take concepts from a project's blueprint and turn them into executable computer programs. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts use critical thinking to examine business processes and devise ways to improve them. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Network Administrator

Network Administrators manage computer networks. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Software Quality Assurance Analyst

Software Quality Assurance Analysts test and evaluate software products to ensure that they meet the requirements and standards of the organization. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Quality Assurance Analyst

Systems Software Developer

Systems Software Developers analyze, design, and build the software and systems that run computers and networks. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Software Developer

Computer Support Specialist

Computer Support Specialists provide technical support to users of computer systems. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

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Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts identify, analyze, and respond to security risks and vulnerabilities. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists conduct research and develop new computing technologies. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

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Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers design, develop, and implement machine learning solutions. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights for decision-making. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

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Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Artificial Intelligence Engineers design, develop, and implement artificial intelligence solutions. This course may be useful in teaching you important Object-Oriented Programming Concepts like data types, variables, subroutines, conditionals, and repetitive execution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artificial Intelligence Engineer