INTRODUCTION – Introduction to Software Development
Fundamentals of Application Development Module 1 introduces students to the basic elements in application development. In Lesson 1, the student will learn the differences between front-end and back-end development in web and cloud applications and the technologies used in each. It also includes a discussion of teamwork and pair programming as a means to further improve and accelerate the development work. Lesson 2 discusses the different tools that software engineers utilize to write, test, and release codes, as well as an entropy to the software stacks for application execution. At least, the individual hands-on laboratory will give the student knowledge of using an integrated development environment (IDE) to develop and run their code.
Learning Objectives:
- Comprehend how websites and cloud applications function.
- Identify the technologies employed in building reactive and responsive websites.
- Explain back-end technologies that provide functionality in websites.
- Know how software engineering teams and squads function.
- Identify the advantages of different alterations in pair-programming styles.
- Categorize web technologies into front end and back-end.
- Identify typical development tools such as version controls, libraries, and frameworks.
- Understand the function of key developer tools such as CI/CD tools, build tools, packages, and package managers.
- Learn about software stacks and recognize the benefits of three major stacks.
- Identify sections in an IDE and use them to build a simple software application.
PRACTICE QUIZ: INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENT
1. Which of the following technologies can you use to add styles and flair to a web page?
- JavaScript
- Java
- CSS (CORRECT)
- HTML
Correct: Correct! CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets, which is essentially used to stylize, design, and beautify the page. It specifically provides the option for developers to manipulate the layout, color schemes, fonts, and overall look of the webpage as per their requirements.
2. Which of the following technologies can you use to create websites that work across different web browsers?
- CSS (CORRECT)
- C++
- Java
- JavaScript
Correct: That is true! CSS is very much concerned with the styling of websites so that they render across various web browsers and looks the same with the use of styles that guarantee the forms and appearance irrespective of the browser.
3. Which of the following technologies enables you to use variables and nested rules to simplify your stylesheets?
- HTML
- SASS (CORRECT)
- CSS
- LESS
Correct: That’s right! SASS is a preprocessor for CSS, which functions to simplify and organize complex stylesheets. It helps to use variables, nested rules, and functions in CSS for more maintainability-a practice made much easier.
4. Which type of developer is most likely to use SQL in web development?
- Front-end developer
- Back-end developer (CORRECT)
- UI developer
- Middleware developer
Correct: That is exactly correct! SQL Structured Query Language is used by back-end developers to interact with different databases, perform queries, updates, inserts, and deletes to/from the databases much like database structure maintenance.
5. Which of the following team meetings is usually held after a project is complete?
- Mentor
- Code review
- Retrospective (CORRECT)
- Kick-off
Correct: A retrospective meeting is generally held at the end of a project.
PRACTICE QUIZ: TOOLS IN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
1. What can a JavaScript library like jQuery do for you?
- Save development time (CORRECT)
- Debug HTML errors
- Help in version control
- Save data to a database
Correct: That’s right! Libraries such as jQuery help reduce the development time of similar projects by offering ready-to-use codes for use by developers.
2. True or false? Inversion of control helps you to create standardized apps.
- False
- True (CORRECT)
Correct: Absolutely! The inversion of control allows us to create standardized applications where certain processes are handled by a third party or an external framework.
3. Which of the following is performed by a build tool?
- Providing code for reuse
- Transforming source code into binaries (CORRECT)
- Storing code
- Installing packages
Correct: Yes! Build tools typically convert source code into executable binaries.
4. Fill in the blank. Package managers make the end-user’s life easy by _______________.
- backing up data
- downloading and installing packages from repositories (CORRECT)
- fixing errors in code automatically
- securing applications
Correct: That’s correct! Package managers use convenient methods to manage the fetch and installation of packages from repositories, thus making dependency management and software much easier.
5. True or false? Software stacks always consist of the following three layers: presentation, business logic, and data.
- True
- False (CORRECT)
Correct: Correct! Software stacks can consist of many layers.
QUIZ: INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
1. Which technology is a front-end developer most likely to work with?
- SQL
- Databases
- Java
- HTML (CORRECT)
Correct: Precisely! A front-end developer is one who applies HTML in structuring content on the web.
2. Which of the following technologies can you use to ensure uniformity in look, feel, style, colors, font, and layouts on a website?
- JavaScript
- XML
- CSS (CORRECT)
- HTML
Correct: Absolutely! It is very much possible to use CSS for controlling the layout, style, and appearance of your website.
3. Which of the following are used in back-end development?
- LESS
- SQL (CORRECT)
- HTML
- CSS
Correct: Definitely! In back-end development, SQL is needed for querying and managing databases.
4. Which of the following technologies provide a way for cloud apps to access resources from the back-end?
- APIs (CORRECT)
- Styles
- Routes
- IDEs
Correct: Awesome! APIs are where cloud applications get data and services from the back end.
5. Which of the following pair programming styles is a good way for a junior software engineer to learn from a more experienced colleague?
- Strong style (CORRECT)
- Ping-pong style
- Driver style
- Navigator style
Correct: Indeed! The strong-style pair programming seems to be one of the wonderful ways of learning a junior software engineer from a senior colleague, as it would allow active engagement and knowledge share in programming.
6. Which of the following is a development framework?
- JavaScript
- Git
- Ruby
- Vue.js (CORRECT)
Correct: That is right! Vue.js is a JavaScript framework used to develop UIs (user interfaces) and single-page applications.
7. Which of the following statements about app development frameworks is correct?
- Frameworks provide a way to build and deploy applications. (CORRECT)
- Frameworks provide standard programs and subroutines that you can use in your own code.
- Frameworks can be changed during any phase of development.
- Frameworks keep track of what changes were made when and by whom and resolve any conflicts between changes.
Correct: Honest! Frameworks can offer a definitive way of building and deploying applications with available ready-made components and tools that may speed up the work.
8. Which process automatically builds and tests your code?
- Continuous integration (CORRECT)
- Continuous delivery
- Continuous investigation
- Continuous development
Correct: The statement is true once again in the sense that continuous integration builds and tests code automatically to make certain that adjustments accomplish seamless merging with the current project.
9. Which of the following is a build tool?
- npm
- Homebrew
- Babel (CORRECT)
- Pip
Correct: Correct! Babel is a build tool.
10. Which of the following is an example of a software stack?
- Maven
- Chocolatey
- Ruby on Rails (CORRECT)
- Conda
Correct: Of course! Ruby on Rails is a whole software stack-a full-stack web application framework that uses the Ruby programming language for building dynamic websites and applications.
CONCLUSION – Introduction to Software Development
This module effectively familiarizes you with the fundamental concepts associated with application development. It emphasizes the distinction between front-end and back-end development and offers insight into the different technologies associated with each, giving Hall the first foray into what would ultimately constitute a strong base. It emphasizes the importance of teamwork and pair programming as a means of coordinating collaboration in enhancing the entire process of development.
It will introduce you to necessary tools and software stacks for writing, testing, and releasing codes. You will also get practical experience in the lab, during which you will work with an integrated development environment (IDE) to create and run code. This will ensure application of these skills in real-life situations. Ultimately, this module is aimed at equipping learners with key theoretical knowledge and practical skill sets for successful careers in application development.