Computer Programming

Upon successful completion of this unit, learners will be able to:

1. Understand the concepts, principles and features involved in programming in a high-level language;
2. Design a computer program;
3. Develop programs in a high-level programming language;
4. Test a computer program.

Understand the concepts, principles, practices and features of programming in a high-level language:

• Characteristics of programming: low-level languages; high-level languages; generations; algorithms, source code, machine code etc.
• Programming languages and paradigms: procedural; object oriented; functional; event driven; simple overviews and uses
• Language selection considerations, criteria for selection
• Key features of high-level programming languages: comments, variables, constants, functions, procedures, keywords, predefined functions; programming libraries, I/O
• Programming Environments: Compiler, Interpreter; Features of the development environment: code generation, syntax highlighting, line numbering, refactoring, debuggers, watch, breakpoints, single-step, step-throughs; tools and techniques.
• Programming standards and practice: modularization; use of comments, code layout eg. consistent indentation and descriptive identifiers

Design a computer program:

• Systematic approach for the development of a solution to a problem: structure diagrams, data flow diagrams, entity relationship models, flow charts, pseudo code, decision tables, state-transition diagrams
• Basic constructs of algorithms: assignment, sequence, selection and repetition
• Technical documentation: requirements specification, preliminary design, detailed design, data design, input/output design, procedural design, modular design, structured design, object design, file design

Develop programs in a high-level programming language:

• Programming language features, keywords and syntax
• Comments; data types and structures; declare and use variables, constants; variable scope; statements, expressions, creating and evaluating expressions, rules of precedence; assignment operator; operators (arithmetic, relational and boolean); constructs (sequence, selection and repetition)
• Arrays: one and two-dimensional arrays; iterating through; linear search;
• Methods, procedures, functions, subroutines
• Parameters: data types, passing data, return values
• Basic I/O functions: Input and Output – Screen; File Handling: reading and writing files.
• Exception Handling

Test a computer program:

• Program testing and documentation: Debugging; Test documentation; Test plan, Test strategy; black box, white box testing, unit testing, functional testing, regression testing, usability testing; Dry run, trace tables
• Types of error in programs: logic, syntax, runtime
• Test data: Normal, abnormal, extreme

Students must utilize one of the following programming languages:

• Python
• Java
• C-based language

• Diploma in Computing

  Your path to a Computing degree starts here.

  The next intake for this offering will be in September 2026 where classes will be held either full time or part-time. For more details on fees and courses Download the Programme Brief

  The Diploma in Computing, awarded by SBCS, is an ACTT approved Foundation programme, geared toward CSEC / CXC graduates as an alternative to CAPE or 6th Form. It provides such learners with an affordable and flexible opportunity to pursue a higher level qualification in a Computing discipline by enabling a seamless transfer from Secondary to Post-secondary education.

   

  
  Overview of the Computing pathways

   

  Graduates of this Diploma programme will progress directly to Year 1 of the BSc (Hons) Computing from the University of Greenwich. 

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  Click here to see our full suite of Foundation programmes, or here for our 2026 academic schedules.

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  Related Courses:

  • Short Business Courses
  • Short Information Technology Courses
  • BSc (Hons) Computing

• Learners will be exposed to the main concepts of procedural programming, building on the theory previously explored in problem-solving. The principles of effective program design, implementation and debugging will be explored.