Construct a software program focuses on constructing a computer program for a specified task including testing and debugging the program to ensure the program works correctly.

Initially students learn to construct basic computer programs in any programming language (drag-and-drop language, specialised programming language, or a general purpose programming language) that include:

variables, assignment, predefined actions, expressions, and sequence, selection, and iteration control structures; and

obtains and uses input from a user, sensors, or other external source.

Students progress to constructing complex computer programs using a text based programming language

[Level 8 Learning Objectives, Teacher Guidance and Indicators of Progression wiil be published when Level 3 achievement standards are finalised for registration]

To support students to develop an ability to construct a basic software program at level 6, teachers could:

• Guide students to independently implement a plan for a basic program in a suitable programming language (drag-and-drop language, specialised programming language, or a general purpose programming language) that uses a procedural structure with well-chosen actions, conditions and control structures that ensures the program is flexible and robust
• Guide students on how to set out program code concisely, and document programs with variable names and succinct comments that accurately explain and justify code function and behaviours
• Guide students on how to comprehensively test and debug programs in an organised time effective way to ensure that they work on expected, boundary and invalid inputs

To support students to develop an ability to construct an advanced software program at level 7, teachers could:

• Guide students on how to independently implement a plan to construct advanced programs, in suitable programming language, where the modules (including their procedural structures) constitute a well-structured logical decomposition of the tasks
• Guide students on how to use variables, constants, and derived values effectively to increase the flexibility and robustness of programs
• Guide students on how to set out program code clearly and document programs with variables and module names, and include comments that explain and justify code functions and behaviours
• Guide students on how to comprehensively test and debug programs in organised and time‑effective ways to ensure that programs are correct on expected, boundary's and invalid inputs.

Students can:

• independently implement a plan for a basic program in a suitable programming language that uses a procedural structure with well-chosen actions, conditions and control structures that ensures the program is flexible and robust
• set out a program's code concisely, and document the program with variable names and succinct comments that accurately explain and justify code function and behaviour
• comprehensively test and debug the program in an organised time effective way to ensure that it works on expected, boundary and invalid inputs

Students can:

• independently implement a plan to construct an advanced program, in a suitable programming language, where the modules (including their procedural structures) constitute a well-structured logical decomposition of the task
• use variables, constants, and derived values effectively to increase the flexibility and robustness of a program
• set out a program's code clearly and document the program with variable and module names and comments that explain and justify code function and behaviour