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Software Design as an Abstraction

The design step in developing software has some unique characteristics. First of all, it’s the only step where drawing pictures of things is the norm. Why is that? What do pictures do that other representations cannot do? Pictures have varying levels of detail; pictures have context. Pictures…paint a picture. Why are these things important? In this course, too, we begin looking at other disciplines (building architecture is a favorite one) for lessons on design.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Who needs abstractions?

Contrasted to design as a step in the software development process, a look at design as an abstract representation of the project.

Focus on the Users

Design considerations to make when users are involved.

What if there are no users?

Design considerations to make when users are not involved

Advanced database design

When to create a database in third-normal form, and when not to.

The Good and Bad of Design Patterns

When and how design patterns are useful and when they are not.

Language choices

Choose languages and operating systems wisely because you will have to live with them.

Final Exam

A comprehensive course assessment comprising of 5 quizzes. Each assessment contains a randomized set of questions from different modules of the course.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides foundational knowledge for beginners in software development

Emphasizes the importance of visual representation in software design

Suitable for learners involved in user-centric software design

Covers advanced database design concepts, including normalization

Explores the benefits and limitations of design patterns

Instructs learners to carefully consider language and operating system choices in software development

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Reviews summary

Abstraction design for beginners

According to students, the Software Design as an Abstraction course is an impressive option for absolute beginners. Learners say that this concise course provides a robust foundation to help new learners prepare before diving into software creation.

Examines real-world design issues.

"Impressive! Really makes you think as per real world problems."

Knowledgeable and engaging instructor.

"well, the instructor good and knowlegdeable"

Great option for people with no prior design knowledge.

"This course is better suited for people who have no idea about design."

"It gives you good foundations before starting on software creation"

Some learners may want more depth.

"My rating has 1 star less, because the course did not go into depth."

"Most of things were obvious for me. "

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 Software Design as an Abstraction with these activities:

Use online resources to practice writing software design patterns

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This activity will give you practice writing software design patterns, which is an important skill for software developers.

Browse courses on Software Design Patterns

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Find an online resource that provides practice problems for writing software design patterns.
Solve the practice problems.

Follow online tutorials on software design principles and best practices

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This activity will help you to learn about software design principles and best practices, which are essential for developing high-quality software.

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Find an online tutorial on software design principles and best practices.
Follow the tutorial.

Write a blog post or give a presentation on the design principles of the software development process

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This activity will help you to consolidate your understanding of the design principles of the software development process.

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Research the design principles of the software development process.
Write a blog post or give a presentation on your findings.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Attend a workshop on software design principles and best practices

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This activity will help you to learn about software design principles and best practices, which are essential for developing high-quality software.

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Find a workshop on software design principles and best practices.
Attend the workshop.

Design and implement a software application using a design pattern

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This project will give you hands-on experience with designing and implementing software using a design pattern.

Browse courses on Design Patterns

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Choose a software application to design and implement.
Identify the design patterns that are suitable for your application.
Design and implement your application using the chosen design patterns.
Test and evaluate your application.

Create a software design document for a new software application

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This activity will give you hands-on experience with creating a software design document, which is an essential part of the software development process.

Browse courses on Software Design

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Gather the requirements for the new software application.
Design the architecture of the software application.
Create a software design document that describes the architecture of the software application.

Mentor a junior software developer on software design principles and best practices

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This activity will help you to solidify your understanding of software design principles and best practices, and it will also give you the opportunity to help others learn.

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Find a junior software developer who is interested in learning about software design principles and best practices.
Meet with the junior software developer regularly to discuss software design principles and best practices.

Read the book 'Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software' by Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, and John Vlissides

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This book provides an introduction to design patterns, which are reusable solutions to commonly occurring problems in software design.

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Read the book from cover to cover, taking notes as you go.
Identify the design patterns that are used in your own software development projects.
Write a blog post or give a presentation on design patterns.

Career center

Learners who complete Software Design as an Abstraction will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer applies engineering principles to the design, development, and maintenance of software applications. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in software design methodologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Software Architect

A Software Architect designs and develops software systems. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in software design methodologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Software Developer

A Software Developer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in software design methodologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst analyzes and designs business systems. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in systems analysis and design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Data Architect

A Data Architect designs and develops data architectures. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in database design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist uses data to solve business problems. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in data analysis and visualization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer designs and develops machine learning models. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in machine learning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Database Administrator

A Database Administrator manages and maintains databases. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in database design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Web Developer

A Web Developer designs and develops websites. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in software design methodologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Software Quality Assurance Analyst

A Software Quality Assurance Analyst tests and evaluates software applications to ensure that they meet quality standards. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in software testing.

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

Computer Programmer

A Computer Programmer designs, develops, tests, and maintains both operating systems and application software. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in the various methodologies used to design software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst plans and implements security measures to protect an organization's computer systems and networks. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in software security.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Computer and Information Systems Manager

A Computer and Information Systems Manager plans, coordinates, and directs computer-related activities in an organization. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in software design methodologies that can be useful for managing software development projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer and Information Systems Manager

Computer Hardware Engineer

A Computer Hardware Engineer researches, designs, develops, tests, and supervises the production of computer hardware. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in computer architecture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Network Architect

A Computer Network Architect designs, develops, and maintains computer networks. A course like Software Design as an Abstraction may be useful for the job because it helps build a foundation in networking principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Network Architect

Reading list

We've selected 15 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 Software Design as an Abstraction.

Design Patterns

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Classic in the field of software design and provides a comprehensive overview of design patterns. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about how to design reusable and maintainable software.

Software Design as an Abstraction

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Abstraction design for beginners

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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