[Blog 5]

Comment about Coursework

The coursework consists of five questions and we have to complete four of them only.

Task 1 is based on Designing with Patterns, so we will be assessed on how well we can design prototypes and applications using the different Gang of Four patterns which are Strategy, Decorator and Adapter pattern. We also have to evaluate how effective those patterns are to the problem.
This task will help us to learn how to design systems by making use of patterns. Specific patterns can be applied to problems so we will have to learn quite a few patterns before we can decide which pattern (adapter, Decorator, Strategy…) goes where. We will have a better understanding of all the patterns and be in a better position to tell where and which pattern should be used and hence provide a more accurate solution to a problem. We will also be drawing UML diagrams to help us design the solution for the problem. So at the end we should gain enough knowledge to apply different patterns to solutions and be capable of arguing why a particular pattern has been applied to a problem.

Task 2 is all about Coding with Patterns where a programming language like Java, C++ or C sharp has to be used to create coding for designs in task 1. This task will help us develop our programming experience depending on the pattern that will be used. For each pattern the coding will be a bit different and some pieces of code might be used interchangeably. So, we should be in a position to comment on why we wrote the coding in such a way. And also, we will get more acquainted to documenting our codes which is quite important as this will eventually become a solution to a problem (pattern) and will be used by other developers, so it needs to be comprehensible.

Task 3 is all about software development and in this the author talks about patterns which can be used to design good websites. But actually, these are principles instead of patterns as argued in the wiki website. We will have to use the existing pattern and design it with another Pattern type (e.g. GoF). This will help us develop our skills where we have to examine existing systems where patterns have been used and try to do the same thing using a different pattern. It involves understanding the problem and trying to figure out the appropriate pattern from experience and form the solution using that new pattern.

Task 4 is about criticising patterns. An extract from a book is given which talks about anti-patterns who overlook the effort of authors of pattern. So here we have to write an essay about the quote that is given and describe what an anti-pattern is and what it is not and where it should be in computing. By doing this task it will enable us to see all the advantages of patterns and what people who are against patterns have to tell us about their disadvantages or usefulness. By researching on both pattern and anti-pattern we will have a better understanding of what a pattern is and how good it is to software engineering and what an anti-pattern is and also how useful it is to software engineering. At the end we will have a good understanding of pattern and anti-pattern.

Task 5 is about writing blogs about the lectures that we are having every week. After each lecture we have to compile some notes about what we understood and what we are learning. Other students can then have access to it which allows them to post their comments and ask questions if they are in doubt of anything. I think this is a good exercise as every one is online most of the time and students have another space where they can discuss and gain more knowledge about the subject.