2.3 Producing Robust Programs

In this module, we will focus on designing, building, and testing programs that are resilient, reliable, and maintainable. You will develop the skills and techniques necessary to create software that performs consistently under various conditions and is easy to understand and update.

We begin with defensive design, emphasising proactive measures to handle unexpected inputs, prevent misuse, and maintain program security. You will learn about input validation, authentication, and the importance of maintainability through best practices like subprograms, consistent naming conventions, indentation, and commenting.

Next, we cover the importance of testing, using both iterative and final testing methods to ensure your program works as intended. You’ll learn how to identify and fix syntax and logic errors, use various types of test data (normal, boundary, and invalid), and refine algorithms to improve performance and efficiency.

By mastering these concepts, you’ll gain the ability to build programs that are resilient to errors and secure against vulnerabilities.