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MEng Computer Science with Industrial Experience / Course details

Year of entry: 2021

Course unit details:
Component-based Software Development

Unit code COMP62532
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Offered by Department of Computer Science
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

Building large software systems remains a difficult challenge. a promising approach is to build such systems piecemeal but systematically from pre-built blocks. These blocks should be such that putting them together can be done hierarchically and compositionally. Such an approach is called a component-based approach. This course introduces the students to such approaches.

Aims

The aims of this course are:

  1. To introduce the basic concepts and the goals of the CBD paradigm
  2. To provide an overview of current CBD approaches
  3. To provide an in-depth exposition of key representative CBD approaches

Learning outcomes

  • Describe the different kinds of components and compositions used in current CBD approaches.

  • Describe the idealised component life cycle for a generic CBD approach 

  • Analyse, evaluate and classify a CBD approach according to the idealised component life cycle. 

  • Apply a given CBD approach to the construction of a real software system.

Syllabus

  1. Basic concepts
    • components
    • composition
    • component models
  2. The CBD process
    • component life cycle
    • system life cycle
  3. Survey of current component models
    • categories based on components
    • categories based on composition mechanisms
  4. Component models based on objects
    • objects as components
    • method call as a composition mechanism
    • Enterprise JavaBeans, JavaBeans
  5. Component models based on architectural units
    • architectural units as components
    • port connection as a composition mechanism
    • Acme/ArchJava, UML2.0
  6. Component models based on encapsulated components
    • encapsulated components
    • coordination as a composition mechanism
    • web services, X-MAN

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Group/team working
Oral communication
Problem solving
Research
Written communication

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 30%
Written assignment (inc essay) 70%

Feedback methods

Feedback in lectures is given interactively both verbally and via Classroom Presenter - a software system for interactive lectures. Feedback in labs is given both interactively (verbally) and in written form. Feedback on group presentations is given interactively (verbally).

Recommended reading

COMP62532 reading list can be found on the Department of Computer Science website for current students.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 2
Lectures 20
Practical classes & workshops 15
Independent study hours
Independent study 113

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Kung-Kiu Lau Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Course unit materials

Links to course unit teaching materials can be found on the Department of Computer Science website for current students.

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