← VCE Software Development U3O2

Brief feature: programming languages to be used

A brief feature naming the language(s) the solution will be built in, with a reason, such as suiting the platform, the developer's skills or the libraries available.

Part of: VCE Software Development - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 10, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Programmed Solutions — Module 105

Understanding Brief feature: programming languages to be used in VCE Software Development U3O2

What it does: The reason given is the developer's existing skills, which is one valid justification for choosing a language. It lists more than one language and shows what each is used for, which is what the brief feature requires. A brief names the language(s) and justifies the choice. It does not contain the code itself. A reason tied to the platform (iOS) justifies the choice. Personal preference with no link to the need is a weak reason. Libraries are pre-written code that can be reused. Chart.js is a library that supplies charting tools. A solution can use several languages, such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript for a website. The brief should state a reason for each.

Common mistakes: Swift is mainly used for Apple iOS apps, so it does not suit an Android app. The brief should name Kotlin, which matches the platform and the reason on line 3. SQL is a database query language and does not run the interface in a web browser. The language should be JavaScript, which runs in every browser.

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 2–11) and word search (Modules 2–24).

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Learning

Duo

Which statement best describes what a software development brief says about programming languages?

It names the language(s) the solution will be built in and gives a reason for the choiceIt lists every line of code the developer will write in that language

Matches

Language: Python

↓

The language is named but no reason is given for choosing it, such as platform, skills or libraries.

Applying

Meanings

Term

programming languages to be used

Meaning

A brief feature naming the language(s) the solution will be built in, with a reason, such as suiting the platform, the developer's skills or the libraries available.

Practice

Programming languages to be used:

Testing

Gaps

Language:

Check Answer

Spots

1Language: Swift

2Platform: Android phone app

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Quick Questions

1. Which statement best describes what a software development brief says about programming languages?

A. It names the language(s) the solution will be built in and gives a reason for the choice ✓

B. It lists every line of code the developer will write in that language

A brief names the language(s) and justifies the choice. It does not contain the code itself.

2. A client needs an app that runs on iPhones. Which brief entry shows a language suited to the platform?

A. Swift, because it is used to build native iOS apps ✓

B. Swift, because it is my favourite language name

A reason tied to the platform (iOS) justifies the choice. Personal preference with no link to the need is a weak reason.

3. Which reason links to the developer's skills?

A. The team already knows Python well, so development will be faster and less risky ✓

B. Python is the oldest language so it must be the best

Developer skills means the team's existing experience with the language. Age of a language is not a skills-based reason.

4. Which reason links to available libraries?

A. JavaScript has a short name that is easy to type

B. JavaScript has Chart.js, which saves time building graphs ✓

Libraries are pre-written code that can be reused. Chart.js is a library that supplies charting tools.

5. True or false: a brief can name more than one programming language.

A. False: a brief must name exactly one language

B. True: for example HTML, CSS and JavaScript for a web app, each with a reason ✓

A solution can use several languages, such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript for a website. The brief should state a reason for each.

Match the Pairs

Language: Swift (iOS app) → Names a language chosen because it suits the platform the solution will run on

Language: Python (pandas library) → Names a language chosen because it has libraries that already do the data work needed

A brief gives a reason for the language based on the developer's skills → Language: JavaScript - the team already knows it well

A brief names the language or languages and gives a reason for each choice → Languages: HTML/CSS for the page, Python for the server

Language: Python → The language is named but no reason is given for choosing it, such as platform, skills or libraries.

Language: Swift (for a Windows desktop app) → The language does not suit the platform, so the reason for choosing it is not valid.

Key Term

programming languages to be used

A brief feature naming the language(s) the solution will be built in, with a reason, such as suiting the platform, the developer's skills or the libraries available.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Platform: iOS app Language: Swift Reason: Suits the iOS platform

Hint: Type the language Apple promotes for building native iPhone apps.

2. Language: Python Reason: Has the pandas library for data

Hint: Type the word for a collection of pre-written code a developer can reuse.

3. Language: Java Reason: The developer's existing skills

Hint: Type the word for what the developer already knows how to do, which makes the language a sensible choice.

4. Languages: HTML, CSS and JavaScript Reason: Suits the web browser platform

Hint: Type the scripting language that runs in web browsers alongside HTML and CSS.

5. Language: Kotlin Reason: Suits the Android platform

Hint: Type the mobile platform that Kotlin is commonly used to build apps for.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A Language: Swift

B Platform: Android phone app

C Reason: Kotlin suits Android

Line A — Swift is mainly used for Apple iOS apps, so it does not suit an Android app. The brief should name Kotlin, which matches the platform and the reason on line 3.

Question 2

A Language: SQL

B Platform: web browser

C Reason: runs in every browser

Line A — SQL is a database query language and does not run the interface in a web browser. The language should be JavaScript, which runs in every browser.

Question 3

A Developer: knows Python well

B Language: Rust

C Reason: no extra training

Line B — The reason is that the developer already has the skills, so the language must be the one they know. Choosing Rust contradicts this. It should be Python.

Question 4

A Task: graph survey data

B Language: Python

C Library: pandas, matplotlib

D Reason: it is the newest

Line D — A good reason links the language to the platform, developer skills or available libraries. Being the newest is not a valid reason. It should say that libraries save time.

Question 5

A Project: 2D game in Unity

B Language: C#

C Reason: Unity scripts use SQL

Line C — Unity scripting uses C#, not SQL. The reason must be true and support the chosen language, so it should say Unity scripts use C#.

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