San Jose State University

Bus 92-Introduction to Business Programming

Prerequisites: Completion of the following lower-division business pool requirements: Bus 10, 20, 21, 91L; English 1B.

Catalog Description:

Analysis of business problems to design and implement the software component of an information system. Emphasis on structured design and programming, including IPO charting, pseudocode, and structure charts. 3 credits.

Detailed Course Description:

This course introduces students to fundamental programming and file processing concepts as applied to business programming. Its purpose is (a) to ensure that all MIS students attain basic competency in programming skills and (2) to provide students with the conceptual knowledge required to develop these skills further through advanced study (e.g., completion of Bus 113-Advanced Business Programming or other programming courses offered through Computer Science).

Topics addressed include programming algorithms, data structures, data validation, report design, control breaks, table processing, file sorting, and sequential-file updates. The vehicles for applying these concepts include COBOL, a pervasive traditional business programming language, and Visual Basic, an ascendant programming language used to create graphical user interfaces for business applications.

Prerequisite Concepts and Skills:

Successful completion of this course requires that students possess the following knowledge and skills:

  1. Competency in written and oral communication (e.g., completion of English 1B).
  2. Understanding of fundamental concepts of microcomputers and software applications (e.g., completion of Bus 91L).
  3. An understanding of fundamental business processes (e.g., completion of Bus 10, 20 & 21).

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to

  1. Explain common hardware terms (e.g., RAM, ROM, CPU, etc.).
  2. Explain common software terms (e.g., system versus application software, etc.).
  3. Define data structure concepts (e.g., field, record, file).
  4. Differentiate batch and real-time processing and describe appropriate applications for each.
  5. Use techniques such as pseudocode, IPO charts, and/or program structure charts to design a program.
  6. List and define programming algorithms (e.g., sequence, selection, iteration).
  7. Use control breaks to control the execution of program code.
  8. Sort, merge, and update sequential files.
  9. Write data validation routines to ensure input accuracy.
  10. Design, write, document, and debug a program to perform a business process.

Methods of Instruction:

Concepts will be presented via classroom lectures and discussions, readings, lab sessions, and assigned programming projects. Students will be required to work individually to design, code, compile, and test a series of programming assignments representative of typical business data processing applications.

Instructional Materials:

  1. Textbook -- will vary by instructor.
  2. MicroFocus COBOL and Visual Basic manuals and guides.