Fundamentals of Programming

The course is a compulsory course in the Software Engineering and Management, Bachelor's Programme (N1SOF).

The course provides deep understanding of the fundamental aspects of programming. Designed for those with no prior programming experience, this course lays a strong foundation by delving into the core concepts that underpin software development. Students not only learn how to write code but also gain the essential skills to refactor and enhance it, fostering a culture of code quality, readability, and maintainability. Those that are already familiar with some programming knowledge will learn and apply guidelines on creating correct, readable, and maintainable code.

Through hands-on practice and collaborative exercises, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while understanding the ethical considerations in software development. By the end of this course, students will be well-prepared to not only write good quality code but also to create software that can be easily modified, extended, and adapted for the dynamic area of software engineering.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Explain basic programming language concepts, e.g., statements, input, output, expressions, variables, control flow constructs, argument passing, functions, and recursion.
• Explain elementary data types and data structures, such as strings, arrays, or lists.
• Structure programs into manageable and reusable units using concepts such as modules, or functions.
• Explain the relation between source code, compiler, interpreters and the machine.

Competence and skills

• Develop algorithms to solve real-world problems and implement them in code.
• Build small software applications using a programming language and contemporary development tools.
• Make programs that read, transform, and generate files in the file system.
• Use standard libraries and follow best programming practices.
• Use programming tools such as an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), debuggers, Command Line Interface (CLI), etc.
• Write clear and well-structured reasoning text, following basic principles for argumentation and discussion around code.
• Demonstrate the ability to refactor and improve code by identifying and eliminating redundancies, enhancing code structure, and readability.

Judgement and approach

• Analyze and evaluate code for readability, maintainability, and efficiency, and suggest improvements to enhance overall software quality.
• Recognize and adhere to sustainability and ethical considerations in software development, such as equity, diversity, and inclusion in software systems.

The teaching consists of lectures, group work, exercises, as well as supervision in connection to the exercises.

Language of instruction: English

The course is examined by an individual written exam carried out in an examination hall at the end of the course and implementation assignments normally carried out in groups of students. The assignments are examined based on solutions to compulsory problems handed in during the course and based on individual contribution to the group work. Retake examinations of the assignments part consist of individual assignments.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

Sub-courses

1. Written hall examination, 4.5 credits
   Grading scale: Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3) and Fail (U)
2. Assignments, 3 credits
   Grading scale: Pass (G) and Fail (U)

The grading scale comprises: Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3) and Fail (U).

In order to pass the course both the assignments and the written hall examination have to be passed. The final grade in the course is decided from the grade of the written hall examination.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

The course replaces the course DIT009, 7.5 credits. The course cannot be included in a degree which contains DIT009. Neither can the course be included in a degree which is based on another degree in which the course DIT009 is included.