Object Oriented Programming Syllabus
Module description
There are several programming paradigms in computer science. One of the most important,
especially when creating large software projects, is object-oriented programming, or OOP. OOP
allows the integration of data and processes on that data into discrete software modules.
Learning about OOP will allow you to develop more modularised, more complex software
designs. It will also let you understand better how many existing software libraries and systems
have been designed. In the later stages of the programme, OOP is used extensively.
This module aims to provide you with an object-oriented programming skill set. You will learn
what objects and classes are and how to write classes. You will see how objects can interact
with each other, including defining and implementing interfaces to control the interaction. You
will learn how to use inheritance to inherit and extend functionality from parent classes. You
will learn how to write code according to style guidelines and how to write formal code
documentation.
1. Text I/O and functions
2. Using classes and variables to model data
3. File I/O, exception handling and algorithms
4. Writing and testing an algorithm
5. Object interactions
6. Libraries, toolkits, frameworks and widgets
7. Event driven programming and inheritance
8. Refactoring and class design
9. Initialiser lists, constructors and threads
10. Advanced class and user interfaces
Module goals and objectives
Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Understand and explain the key principles of object oriented programming
2. Choose appropriate basic data types to represent different data
3. Write classes with data and functions
4. Explain the purpose of interfaces and write classes that implement specific interfaces
5. Use inheritance to implement a hierarchy of classes
6. Write formal code documentation and write code following style guidelines
Textbook and Readings
Specific essential readings for this module will be taken from the following text book:
Ivor Horton and Peter Van Weert , Beginning C++17: From Novice to Professional, Apress, 2018, Fifth
edition ISBN-13 (pbk): 978-1-4842-3365-8
The specific pages for the reading activities will be given in the platform, and there is no need
to read beyond to recommended pages.
In addition to the text book, there are additional reading activities written by the course author,
some of which involve coding exercises.
There will also be discussion prompts asking you to do some independent research using online
sources.
Module outline
The module consists of 10 topics, each of which spans two weeks.
Key concepts:
Topic 1. Text I/O and functions : the C++ edit, compile and run cycle
main menu Text I/O
Functions
Learning outcomes:
Write, compile and run a C++ program that
prints messages to the console
Use the standard library to do text I/O in the
console
Write and call simple functions
Topic 2. Using classes and variables to Key concepts:
model data : the OrderBookEntry class
Basic data types: numbers and strings
Classes and data
Classes and functions
Learning outcomes:
Select appropriate data types to represent a
dataset in a C++ program
Describe how a class can be used to combine
multiple pieces of data into one unit
Write a class with functions
Topic 3. File I/O, exception handling Key concepts:
and algorithms : the CSVReader class
Translating pseudocode to C++
Exception handling
File I/O
Learning outcomes:
Convert pseudocode algorithms involving
iteration, logic and string processing into
working C++ code
Use exception handling to gracefully recover
when processing unreliable data
Read text data from a file using the getline
function
Topic 4. Writing and testing an Key concepts:
algorithm : taking orders and the
order matching engine Iterating over vectors
Testing algorithms
Exception handling
Learning outcomes:
Write functions that calculate basic statistics
by iterating over vectors of objects
Use test data to evaluate the correctness of
an algorithm
Use exception handling to write robust user
input processing code
Topic 5. Object interactions : the Key concepts:
Wallet class
Object interactions
Modelling real world items with classes
Static and non-static functions11
Learning outcomes:
Use class composition to combine classes
together which offer higher level
functionality
Explain how to model a familiar real world
entity as a class with data and functions
Decide when it is appropriate to use static or
non-static functions
Key concepts:
Topic 6. GUI libraries, frameworks and toolkits
JUCE toolkit
DJ software
Learning outcomes:
Describe the functionality of a DJ application
Explain what a GUI library is and give examples of
common GUI widgets
Use the JUCE framework to create and compile a
starter application
Key concepts:
Topic 7. JUCE application architecture
Event driven programming
JUCE audio playback functionality
Learning outcomes:
Describe the functions and runtime of a simple
JUCE application
Use the JUCE API classes to implement audio
playback functionality
Apply event driven programming techniques to
create a GUI
Key concepts:
Topic 8. Refactoring into simpler modules and class
composition
GUI layout
Drag and drop
Learning outcomes:
Identify and refactor audio playback
functionality and GUI into a new class
Identify and refactor GUI functionality
Use drag and drop events to add more
intuitive file loading functionality
Key concepts:
Topic 9. Polymorphism and interfaces
Data organisation
Working with background threads
Learning outcomes:
Implement a graphical widget using
polymorphism to control module interaction
Make decisions about duplicate data and sharing
data inside a program
Use multithreading to implement GUI
components that automatically update
Key concepts:
Topic 10. Linked lists
Storing application state
Making a file library
Learning outcomes:
Use advanced JUCE GUI components to
implement a table
Reason about data sharing between different
parts of a program
Implement a data model for a table component
Activities of this module
The module is comprised of the following elements:
Lecture videos. In each topic, you will find a sequence of videos in which the example
programs for the course are coded up. Further videos review the key programming
techniques seen in the coding videos.
Readings. Each topic may include several suggested readings. These are a core part of
your learning, and, together with the videos, will cover all of the concepts you need for
this module.
Practice Quizzes. Each topic will include practice quizzes, intended for you to assess your
understanding of the topics. You will be allowed unlimited attempts at each practice
quiz. There is no time limit on how long you take to complete each attempt at the quiz.
These quizzes do not contribute toward your final score in the class.
Programming Activities. Each topic includes programming activity worksheets. These
take you through the steps you have seen in the videos, and provide code excerpts.
They also contain challenges activities which challenge you develop the program beyond
the functionality seen in the lecture videos.
Code. Each topic includes the C++ code written in the videos. You can use this in
combination with the worksheets to ensure you have the correct code.
Discussion Prompts. Each topic includes discussion prompts. You will see the discussion
prompt alongside other items in the lesson. Each prompt provides a space for you to
respond. After responding, you can see and comment on your peers' responses. All
prompts and responses are also accessible from the general discussion forum and the
module discussion forum.
Assessed coursework. There are two assessed courseworks, in the middle and at the
end of the module. They are based on the two large programs developed during the
course.
How to pass this module
The module has two major assessments each worth 50% of your grade:
Midterm coursework. This consists of a programming task wherein you will add
functionality to the first example program seen in the module.
End of term coursework. This consists of a programming task wherein you will add
functionality to the second example program seen in the module.
Activity Required? Deadline Estimated time % of final
week per course grade
Midterm Yes 1-10 25 hours 50%
coursework
End of term Yes 22 25 hours 50%
coursework
