Object Oriented Programming for Computer Science Assignment 2

55-502858: Object Oriented Programming for Computer Science

Assignment 2: OO Implementation: Drawing Application
Due in: Tuesday 28th April 2020 at 3pm (via Blackboard)
Marks Available: 100 (70% of the module assessment)

In this task you will demonstrate your knowledge and ability to identify and apply best-
practice object-oriented (OO) features in C++. You will additionally demonstrate your
understanding of the standard template library (STL) and basic design patterns. This is an
individual piece of work and in-module retrieval is not available for this assessment.

Introduction

Some of the most enjoyable coding projects you will do are those you have an interest in
(e.g. something to do with a hobby, something that might help a family member, etc), so
you get to choose your own project for this task. However, your project needs to
demonstrate specific areas and aspects as outlined below.

The project must be a C++ Visual Studio 2017 class-based object-oriented application that
uses:

 Encapsulation
 Inheritance
 Polymorphism (static and dynamic)

The project must make use of:

 The EasyGraphics library (which you are free to enhance, but will require further
reading and self-directed learning)
 Runtime type information operators
 Operator overloading
 The Standard Template Library (STL):
o Use of iterators
o Use of a STL algorithm that takes a named function only such that all items
in the collection are subjected to the function (e.g. for_each)
o Use of a STL algorithm that takes a named function and dynamic parameter
using bind (e.g. find_if)
 Singleton Design Pattern
 Template classes (i.e. your own templates and not the STL)
 Heap memory, balanced off appropriately with stack memory

Most OO applications can be coded to include a sensible demonstration of these

requirements so start by thinking of a project that interests you. The project must not be
something you have done (or are doing) elsewhere as part of another assignment
(including the case study from the first assignment). I am happy to discuss ideas with you.

If you want validation of your project idea, please submit an optional report that outlines
how you think your project meets the requirements of the task (1 page maximum) to

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Object Oriented Programming for Computer Science Assignment 2

blackboard by 3pm on Monday 10 th February 2020 (start of the 5th week of teaching in
semester 2). There are no marks for this report. If you are unable to come up with a
project by Monday 10th February, please let me know and you will be given a standard
one. I strongly encourage everyone to engage in a self-selecting project process though
as you will get much more out of it.

As an example of the scope of this piece of work, last year the students created a drawing
tool for this task – example provided on Blackboard, but don’t recreate this application for
this task – and before that, a battlefield strategy game.

Code Development

You should write efficient, effective and thoughtful OO code for this task. Don’t overly
complicate the project but give it due consideration. Think about the architecture of the
code – which class and methods should own which bits of code. There is no single correct
solution and you will have to make many decisions about the implementation, but do so
logically and above all, think about what you are doing and the implications of your choices
– would you be able to sensibly defend your choices if asked why you did it that way as
opposed to another?

Hints

 Use object references/pointers where appropriate as opposed to indices

 Use methods/functions to help segment your code into manageable and meaningful
modules that can aid reuse and readability
 User interface buttons are simply images drawn to the screen with a hit test that
performs a task when the mouse button is pressed inside the graphical area
 Check and fix memory leaks
 There is no single right solution, but some code is better than others… think about
what you are doing, what you want to achieve and implement it in a sensible, robust
and efficient manner
 Evolve your code and regularly test what you have written; when I put together
applications, I didn’t sit down and write it in one go and expect it to run… I build the
application in small stages, progressively adding in functionality and testing and
debugging as I go (yes, everyone needs to test and debug code they write no
matter how long they have been coding for so get practiced at doing so)
 Ensure you are demonstrating good practice OO and programming techniques
through the use of appropriate language constructs; it is the quality of your code
that is of most importance and your project will allow you to demonstrate your skills
and knowledge towards that in an object-oriented setting.

Continued on the next page…

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Object Oriented Programming for Computer Science Assignment 2

Grading Guidelines

Marks will be awarded as illustrated below:

Area / Theme being assessed Percentage

Available
OO design and choice of classes: use of encapsulation and inheritance
15%
Use of language constructs in the development of the application: best-
practice implementation within C++ using appropriate and consistent
syntax and constructs, including constructor and destructors, 40%
polymorphism and runtime-type information, inlining, use of const, virtual,
operator overloading, etc.
Use of the standard template library
10%
Design Patterns
10%
Templates
10%
Memory usage and clean up
10%
Consistent and sensible layout and formatting, structure of code (i.e. use
5%
of files) and naming

The University common grading descriptor will be used to determine marks for each area
(see last page). The mark scheme embeds the concept of extended work by rewarding
only the highest marks to those who demonstrate evidence of independent investigation,
learning, critical thought and problem analysis (via good code solutions).

Main Submission Process

Your assignment should be submitted electronically through the module Blackboard site as
a single ZIP file that contains your entire project and source code (but without the build
and intellisence files and folders), and a ReadMe.txt file that gives brief instructions
about using your application. Your last on-time attempt will be viewed and graded (as per
university regulations).

The source code must be in the form of a Visual Studio 2017 project within the
compressed ZIP file and contain all files that allow the project to be opened, built and run
on a campus computer (this includes any assets you may have used, which must use
relative pathing in the code - do not use absolute paths as I will not have the same
drive structure as you outside the project folder). Make sure that you upload the
correct files by checking once you have submitted - mistakes discovered after the deadline
cannot be corrected; it is your responsibility to ensure that you submit the correct files by
the deadline. You may be asked to provide a walkthrough of your code during which you
will need to discuss all aspects of the work you submitted before a grade is awarded.

Remember to include all source code and check your submission once uploaded.

The submission deadline is given at the top of this document.

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Object Oriented Programming for Computer Science Assignment 2

Learning Outcomes

This task assesses the following learning outcomes from the module descriptor

 Identify and apply object-oriented features of a modern programming language to

implement OO designs.
 Use OO techniques to encapsulate functionality associated with classic search
algorithms and data-structures and relate those techniques to facilities provided in
standard libraries and patterns.

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 Object Oriented Programming for Computer Science Assignment 2

Level 5 - Generic grade descriptor: relationship of degree classification to percentage mark ranges and categorical grades (CG)

Class Mark range CG% General Characteristics

93 - 100 96 Exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of the area of study; evidence of extensive and appropriate selection and critical
evaluation/synthesis/analysis and of reading/research beyond the prescribed range, in both breadth and depth, to advance work/direct arguments;
85 - 92 89 exceptional demonstration of relevant skills; excellent communication; performance deemed to be beyond expectation.
FIRST Outstanding/excellent knowledge and understanding of the area of study as the student is typically able to go beyond what has been taught
78 - 84 81
(Excellent) (particularly for a mid/high 1st); evidence of extensive and appropriate selection and critical evaluation/synthesis/ analysis of reading/research
beyond the prescribed range, to advance work/direct arguments; excellent demonstration of relevant skills; excellent communication; performance
70 - 77 74
deemed beyond expectation of the level.
67 - 69 68 Very good knowledge and understanding of the area of study as the student is typically able to relate facts/concepts together with some ability to
UPPER
apply to known/taught contexts; evidence of appropriate selection and evaluation of reading/research, some beyond the prescribed range, may rely
SECOND 64 -66 65
on set sources to advance work/direct arguments; demonstrates autonomy in approach to learning; very good demonstration of relevant skills;
(Very good)
60 - 63 62 strong communication skills.
LOWER 57 - 59 58 Good knowledge and understanding of the area of study balanced towards the descriptive rather than analytical; evidence of appropriate selection and
SECOND 54 - 56 55 evaluation of reading/research but generally reliant on set sources to advance work/direct arguments; good demonstration of relevant skills, though may
(Good) 50 - 53 52 be limited in range; communication shows clarity but structure may not always be coherent.
47 - 49 48 Knowledge and understanding is sufficient to deal with terminology, basic facts and concepts but fails to make meaningful synthesis; some ability to
44 - 46 45 select and evaluate reading/research however work may be more generally descriptive; strong reliance on available support set sources to advance work;
THIRD
arguments may be weak or poorly constructed; adequate demonstration of relevant skills over a limited range; communication/presentation is generally
(Sufficient) 40 - 43 42
competent but with some weaknesses.
Insufficient knowledge and understanding of the area of study; some ability to select and evaluate reading/research however work is more generally
30 - 39 35
descriptive; fails to address some aspects of the brief; a limited use of sources to advance work; arguments may be weak/poor or weakly/poorly
constructed; demonstration of relevant skills over a reduced range; communication shows limited clarity, poor presentation, structure may not be
20 - 29 25
coherent.
FAIL Highly insufficient knowledge or understanding of the area of study; understanding is typically at the word level with facts being reproduced in a
10 - 19 15
(Insufficient) disjointed or decontextualised manner; fails to address the outcomes addressed by the brief; typically ignores important sources in development of work
and data/evidence inappropriately used; weak technical and practical competence hampers ability to demonstrate/communicate achievement of
1-9 5
outcomes.
ZERO 0 0 Work of no merit OR absent, work not submitted, penalty in some misconduct cases.

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