Essay Grade

The Any information that goes into a program is called an input. Inputs may be data based storing variables or may be event based. In the inputs-process-outputs model for programming, the first section identifies all such inputs. As an example, a program might be designed that adds together two numbers. The inputs would be the two numbers being added together.

“>input-process-The results that come out of a program are called the outputs. In the inputs-process-outputs model for programming, the final section presents the outputs to the user. As an example, a program might be designed that adds two numbers together. The output would be displaying the answer.

“>output
model facilitates programming. Often, this is shown through
pseudo-code. Pseudo-code shows a model for the program. Then, that model
is translated into the specific programming Programming languages are sets of syntax and semantic rules that support development of computer instruction algorithms. There are hundreds of different programming languages available for programmers. Each has its own unique capabilities. Languages are often classified as either object-oriented or procedural. Visual Basic is the programming language utilized here.

“>language syntax. In Benchmark 2, the weekly pay program could be shown with the following pseudo-code:

Purpose: The purpose of this program is to calculate the weekly pay for an hourly employee.

Input:

empName as A string is a data type that stores a series of characters. These can include letters, numbers, and special characters. Effectively, any information desired can be stored as a string. Strings are actually objects created from the simpler char data type. The String class includes methods for manipulating and editing strings

Links: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/thwcx436.aspx ; http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/NET/nets7p1.html

Search Terms: string, character encoding, string class

“>String (the employee’s name)
empID as String (the employee’s ID number)
empDept as String (the department the employee works for)
hourlyRate as Decimal is a data type able to store numbers with up to 28 digits to the right of the decimal point. Other data types like double or single also hold decimal data. In programs, mathematical operators act as mathematically expected on decimals; so, 0.5/1.5 will give 0.3333333333333333333333333333. Since the result is limited to 28 digits, floating point considerations must be handled by the program as well.

Links: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/xay7978z.aspx ; http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/b6ex274z.aspx

Search Terms: decimal, double data type, single data typ, floating point 

“>Decimal (how much the employee is paid per hour)
hours as An integer is a data type that stores a whole number. In programs, integers commonly serve as counters to track incremental progress. Integers are also used as variables not only for numeric data but also for ordinal and nominal data. For example, the department a person works for might be stored as an integer from 1 to 6 for each different department as this is more efficient that storing a string with the department name. In programs, mathematical operators act as mathematically expected on integers; so, 1+1 will give 2.

Link: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/06bkb8w2.aspx ; http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/b6ex274z.aspx

Search Terms: integer, long data type, short data type

“>Integer and minutes as Integer (how much time the employee worked)
totalPay as Decimal (how much the employee is paid)

Process 1:

uses rate and time to calculate total pay
totalPay = hourlyRate*(hours+minutes/60)

Process 2:

rounds the totalPay to two decimal places

Output to Message Box:

The total pay for <empName> (<empID>) in the <empDept> department is <totalPay>.
This is based on an hourly pay of <hourlyRate> and working for <hours>:<minutes>.

1. Consider another data calculation that might be needed in a
   common information system. Potential examples include calculating tax
   and tip for a restaurant bill or finding miles per gallon for an
   automobile. You can utilize one of these or another of your choosing.
   Using the same format as shown in the above examples, describe the
   overall purpose of the program and then outline the inputs, processes,
   and outputs. Be sure that you utilize the input-process-output model,
   specify each data type, give the equations for calculations, and give
   the full output string.
2. Create your program including a user interface in Visual
   Studio utilizing Visual Basic. Ensure there are no errors present and
   test it using Debugging is the process of removing bugs or errors from a program to ensure that the program operates correctly. Debugging includes assessing and correcting both syntax errors and logical or functional errors. As systems become more complex, so does the debugging process. The IDE includes many tools to support debug.

   Links: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/sc65sadd.aspx ; http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/NET/nets5p1.html

   Search Terms: debugging, error checking, software testing

   “>Debug
   to be sure it works as expected. Give screenshots showing your
   interface and briefly describe these screenshots. Also, copy the Visual
   Basic code. Be sure that this is separate from your input-process-output
   model pseudo-code from the first portion of the Assignment. Also, zip
   the full project folder for submission.

Please note that implementing the project in Visual Studio
utilizing Visual Basic is only 15% of the grade for this Assignment. You
are expected to be able to describe a program in pseudo-code, and the
overall grade focuses on this requirement. Translating that into a user
interface and proper code syntax represents a significant additional
challenge. You should try to create the actual program, but you should
not do so at the expense of progressing through the project or
submitting this Assignment on time.

The Peer Support Discussion forum is available to you for help with both the pseudo-code and your work in Visual Basic.

By Day 7

Submit your input-process-output model
pseudo-code, screenshots, and Visual Basic code as a single document
with a cover page for your Assignment.