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Software Design as an Element of the Software Development Lifecycle

4.6 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 252 ratings
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Albert Glock

This course talks about software development lifecycles a description/prescription for how we write software. Design is a step in this life cycle, and the course explores the implications of this. Design has a role in the life cycle; it is always there, regardless of the kind of life cycle we’re talking about. Why is that? Why was design considered as a step in this life cycle?

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What's inside

Syllabus

Design, is a Thoughtful Process
Design requires that you be much more than minimally knowledgeable about your project and how to accomplish it.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers the entire software development life cycle
Examines design and its role in the software development life cycle
Illustrates how design translates requirements into specifications
Explores high-level design and its relevance to security problems
Proposes that the course is suitable for individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge of software development life cycles

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Reviews summary

Software design in sdlc overview

According to learners, this course provides a solid theoretical foundation on the role of software design within the Software Development Lifecycle. Students appreciated the coverage of fundamental design concepts and the distinction between high-level and detailed design. However, some felt the content was too abstract and lacked practical, hands-on examples relevant to modern software development. There were also occasional remarks about the difficulty or wording of quizzes and whether some course material felt slightly outdated compared to current industry trends. Overall, it serves as a good introduction for those needing a conceptual understanding.
Good coverage of basic design principles.
"The course provides a good overview of the basic concepts of software design."
"It clearly explains the role of design within different SDLC models."
"I gained a solid theoretical foundation from this course."
"It helped solidify my understanding of design principles."
May feel slightly outdated in parts.
"Some of the examples felt a bit dated compared to current industry practices."
"Didn't cover newer agile design methodologies in depth."
"I think the course could benefit from an update on modern tools and processes."
Some quizzes are challenging or poorly worded.
"Some of the quiz questions were confusingly worded."
"The quizzes sometimes felt disconnected from the lecture content."
"Found the final exam particularly challenging compared to the modules."
Content is theoretical, lacks real-world examples.
"I wish there were more practical examples or case studies."
"The content felt very academic and less relevant to real-world coding."
"Could use more hands-on application of the design concepts discussed."

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 Element of the Software Development Lifecycle with these activities:
Review Object-Oriented Programming Concepts
Reviewing object-oriented programming concepts will provide a solid foundation for understanding software design.
Browse courses on Object-Oriented Programming
Show steps
  • Review the principles of object-oriented programming
  • Review the different types of object-oriented programming languages
  • Practice writing object-oriented programs
Review Software Development Methodologies
Reviewing software development methodologies will help you understand the different approaches to software design.
Browse courses on Software Development Methodologies
Show steps
  • Review the different software development methodologies
  • Compare and contrast the different methodologies
  • Choose a methodology that is appropriate for your project
Create a Glossary of Design Terms
Creating a glossary of design terms will help you build a strong foundation in the subject matter.
Browse courses on Design
Show steps
  • Identify key terms related to design
  • Define each term in your own words
  • Organize the terms into a glossary
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Read Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software
Provides a deeper understanding of design patterns, which are essential for creating reusable and maintainable software.
Show steps
  • Read Chapter 1: Introduction
  • Read Chapter 2: Creational Patterns
  • Read Chapter 3: Structural Patterns
  • Read Chapter 4: Behavioral Patterns
  • Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter
Solve Design Problems on LeetCode
Solving design problems on LeetCode will improve your ability to identify and solve design problems in the real world.
Browse courses on Design
Show steps
  • Create a LeetCode account
  • Select the "Design" topic
  • Solve at least 10 problems
  • Review the solutions and explanations for the problems you solved
Build a Software Application Using a Design Pattern
Building a software application using a design pattern will reinforce your understanding of the pattern and how to apply it in real-world scenarios.
Browse courses on Design Patterns
Show steps
  • Select a design pattern
  • Find a tutorial or documentation on how to implement the pattern
  • Follow the tutorial to build a software application
  • Test the application and make sure it works as expected
Start a Personal Software Project
Starting a personal software project will give you hands-on experience in designing and developing software.
Browse courses on Software Development
Show steps
  • Identify a problem you want to solve or a feature you want to build
  • Design the software architecture
  • Implement the software
  • Test the software
  • Deploy the software
Design a Software Architecture for a Small-Scale Application
Designing a software architecture will help you understand the principles and practices of software design.
Browse courses on Software Architecture
Show steps
  • Define the requirements of the application
  • Identify the major components of the application
  • Create a diagram of the software architecture
  • Describe the interactions between the components
  • Evaluate the design and make necessary changes

Career center

Learners who complete Software Design as an Element of the Software Development Lifecycle will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Software Designer
Software Designers create software solutions that meet user needs. Design principles are essential in developing efficient and user-friendly software.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Designer
Software Developer
Software Developers design, develop, and maintain software applications. Design skills are essential for creating high-quality software that meets user needs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer
Software Architect
A Software Architect is responsible for designing and overseeing software development projects. Design plays a pivotal role in this process, ensuring that the final product meets the needs of the user.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect
Software Engineer
Software Engineers build, test, and maintain software systems. Design helps engineers develop high-quality, reliable software.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Computer Scientist
Computer Scientists research and develop new software technologies. Design principles are fundamental to their work, as they help them create innovative and efficient solutions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts design and implement software solutions to improve organizational efficiency. Design skills enable them to create systems that meet the needs of the organization.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmers write and maintain software code. Design principles help them create efficient and reliable code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer
Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality Assurance Analysts test and evaluate software products to ensure they meet quality standards. Design principles help them understand the software's functionality and identify potential issues.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst
Software Test Engineer
Software Test Engineers test and evaluate software products to ensure they meet quality standards. Design principles help them understand the software's functionality and identify potential issues.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Test Engineer
Business Analyst
Business Analysts bridge the gap between business and IT. They use design principles to translate business requirements into technical specifications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Project Manager
Project Managers plan and oversee software development projects. Design skills help them manage the project's scope and ensure it meets the stakeholder's needs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create user manuals and other documentation for software products. Design helps them create clear and easy-to-understand documentation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Database Administrator
Database Administrators design and manage databases. Design skills enable them to create efficient databases that meet the needs of the organization.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Systems Administrator
Systems Administrators manage and maintain computer systems. Design principles help them create efficient and reliable systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts design and implement security measures to protect organizations from cyber threats.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 11 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 Element of the Software Development Lifecycle.
Cover image
Engineering Your Future: An Australasian Guide, 4th...
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of software design principles and practices. It covers topics such as software architecture, design patterns, and software quality assurance.
Engineering Your Future: An Australasian Guide, 4th...
Paperback
$$$$
Cover image
Design Patterns
Save
Introduces the concept of design patterns, which are reusable solutions to commonly occurring problems in software design. It contains a catalog of 23 design patterns, each of which is described in detail.
Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object...
Hardcover
$$$
Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object...
Paperback
$$
(Deutsch) Design Patterns (mitp Professional): Entwurfsmuster...
Kindle Edition
$$
Design Patterns: Elements of reusable object...
Paperback
$$$$
Padrões de Projeto – Soluções Reutilizáveis de...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Head First Design Patterns
Save
Provides a visual and interactive introduction to design patterns. It uses humor and real-world examples to make the concepts of design patterns easy to understand.
Head First Design Patterns
Paperback
Check
Head First Design Patterns
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Functional Design
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of agile software development principles, patterns, and practices. It covers topics such as Scrum, Kanban, and Test-Driven Development.
Functional Design: Principles, Patterns, and...
Kindle Edition
$$
Clean Craftsmanship
Save
Provides a set of principles and practices for writing clean and maintainable code. It covers topics such as naming conventions, coding style, and refactoring.
Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software...
Paperback
$$
Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Pragmatic Programmer
Save
Provides a collection of pragmatic tips and techniques for software developers. It covers topics such as career development, software design, and testing.
The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey To Mastery,...
Hardcover
$$
Pragmatic Programmer, The: From Journeyman to Master
Kindle Edition
$$
(Italiano) Pragmatic Programmer - Edizione del 20°...
Kindle Edition
$$
(Italiano) Il Pragmatic Programmer: Guida per manovali del...
Kindle Edition
$$
(中文) The Pragmatic Programmer: access to the highest...
Paperback
$$
Pragmatic programmer (Korean Edition)
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Introduction to Software Design with Java
Save
Provides a set of techniques for refactoring existing code to make it more clean and maintainable. It covers topics such as code smells, refactoring patterns, and automated refactoring.
Introduction to Software Design with Java
Kindle Edition
$$$
Introduction to Software Design with Java
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Domain-Driven Design Reference
Save
Introduces the concept of domain-driven design, which software development approach that focuses on modeling the domain of the problem being solved. It covers topics such as domain modeling, bounded contexts, and aggregate roots.
Domain-Driven Design Reference: Definitions and...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Building Evolutionary Architectures
Save
Provides a detailed overview of software architecture principles and practices. It covers topics such as system decomposition, architectural styles, and architectural patterns.
Building Evolutionary Architectures: Automated...
Paperback
$$$
Building Evolutionary Architectures
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Design of Design
Save
Classic in the field of software engineering. It provides a collection of essays on topics such as project management, software development tools, and the psychology of software developers.
Design of Design, The: Essays from a Computer...
Kindle Edition
$$
(中文) The Design of Design(Chinese Edition)
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Building Microservices
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of microservices architecture. It covers topics such as microservices design principles, service discovery, and load balancing.
Building Microservices: Designing Fine-Grained...
Paperback
$$
Building Microservices: Designing Fine-Grained...
Paperback
$$
Building Microservices: Designing Fine-Grained...
Spiral-bound
$$$
Building Microservices
Kindle Edition
$$

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Course image
Rating
4.6 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
11 hours to complete
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Colorado System
Instructor
Albert Glock
Language
English
Transcripts
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This course belongs to a collection called Secure Software Design. It's comprised of four courses:
  1. Software Design Methods and Tools
  2. Software Design as an Element of the Software Development Lifecycle (viewing)
  3. Software Design as an Abstraction
  4. Software Design Threats and Mitigations
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers the entire software development life cycle
Examines design and its role in the software development life cycle
Illustrates how design translates requirements into specifications
Explores high-level design and its relevance to security problems
Proposes that the course is suitable for individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge of software development life cycles
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