SkillsFuture Coding Course

Fundamentals of Programming is a SkillsFuture eligible coding course for beginners. Using basic Python programming language, this training sets out the skills and competences relating to computational thinking and coding and will guide you through the process of problem solving and creating simple computer programs.

For a more advanced course in Python programming, please see the course Data Analytics with Python.

Other Fundamental courses include Fundamentals of Digital Marketing and Fundamentals of Data Analytics.

Software and Programming Language

Python IDLE programming environment

Course Title

ICDL Computing

Course Objectives

• Understand key concepts relating to computing and the typical activities involved in creating a program.
• Understand and use computational thinking techniques like problem decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithms to analyse a problem and develop solutions.
• Write, test and modify algorithms for a program using flowcharts and pseudocode.
• Understand key principles and terms associated with coding and the importance of well-structured and documented code.
• Understand and use programming constructs like variables, data types, and logic in a program.
• Improve efficiency and functionality by using iteration, conditional statements, procedures and functions, as well as events and commands in a program.
• Test and debug a program and ensure it meets requirements before release.

Course Content

Thinking like a Programmer

• Computational Thinking
• Instructing a Computer

Software Development

• Precision of Language
• Computer Languages
• Text About Code
• Stages in Developing a Program

Algorithms

• Steps in an Algorithm
• Methods to Represent a Problem
• Flowcharts
• Pseudocode
• Fixing Algorithms

Getting Started

• Introducing Python
• Exploring Python
• Saving a Program

Performing Calculations

• Performing Calculations with Python
• Precedence of Operators

Data Types and Variables

• Data Types
• Variables
• Beyond Numbers

True or False

• Boolean Expressions
• Comparison Operators
• Boolean Operators
• Booleans and Variables
• Putting It All Together

Aggregate Data Types

• Aggregate Data Types in Python
• Lists
• Tuples

Enhance your Code

• Readable Code
• Comments
• Organisation of Code
• Descriptive Names

Conditional Statements

• Sequence and Statements
• IF Statement
• IF…ELSE Statement

Procedures and Functions

• Subroutines
• Functions and Procedures

Loops

• Looping
• Looping with Variables
• Variations on Loops
• Putting It All Together

Libraries

• Using Libraries
• Standard Libraries
• Events
• Pygame Library
• Boilerplate Code
• Drawing Using the Libraries

Recursion

• Recursion
• Recursive Drawing

Testing and Modification

• Types of Errors
• Finding Errors
• Testing and Debugging a Program
• Improving a Program