Evaluation - What do I need to know?
Notes & Slides
When Evaluating, it is IMPORTANT that you evaluate your own code in your own words!
Fit for Purpose
Once a program has been analysed, designed, implemented and tested it is important to evaluate the program to ensure it is fit for purpose.
Evaluating allows us to ensure the program does the job it was designed to do and think about any improvements that could be made.
When evaluating a program we should ensure that the program:
Example Answer
Efficiency of code
Removing unnecessary code, arriving at the final output in the quickest way and use of the correct variables, data types and programming concepts allows for an efficient program.
It is important to consider the following when creating code:
- Has the programmer used repetition (loops) where possible to reduce the amount of code?
- Has the programmer used arrays where possible instead of declaring many individual variables?
- Has the programmer used selection statements that will only make comparisons until a solution is reached? e.g. Nested ifs instead of seperate statements
Example Answer
Readability of code
It is important for programs to be written in a readable fashion so that they can be easily understood. Imagine if you (or someone else) wanted to make changes to a program that you wrote a year ago or more. If you didn't take care to make sure that it could be easily understood then it will probably take a long time to make the changes.
Some methods of making a program readable are:
- Use meaningful identifiers - variable names
- Use internal commentary
- Use structured listings (indentation, capitalisation)
- Use plenty of white space
Example Answer
Robustness of code
A program is robust if it has the ability to cope with errors or incorrect input for the user without the program crashing.
For example, a program has been developed to ask the user to input their age as an integer. However, a user accidentally types their age in as a string. If the program was to crash then it would not be a robust program.
To evaluate robustness, programs should be tested using Normal, Extreme and Exceptional test data.
Example Answer
