Assessment Item 3 Assignment 3 Value 20 Due Date: 22 May 201
Assessment Item 3assignment 3value20due Date: 22-May-2017
For this task, you will create a Subject class to represent university subjects, with fields for name and a unique 6-character subject code, where the first three characters are alphabetic and denote the discipline, and the last three are numeric. You will also write a TestSubject class to test the Subject class, involving management of subjects stored in an array, ensuring subject code uniqueness, and providing methods for validation, retrieval, and sorting of subjects and disciplines.
The Subject class will include: private fields for name and code; a constructor with validation; getter methods; getDiscipline() returning the first three characters; codeMatches() to compare codes; toString() method; and class methods such as allDisciplines(), codesPerDiscipline(), isValidCode(), codeExists(), and sortDisciplines() for managing collections of subjects.
The TestSubject class will load data from a file, allow users to add new subjects with validation and checks for unique codes, display existing disciplines, and update the data file upon completion.
In the second task, you will define an abstract class Textbook with fields for title, author, and pages, including constructors, getters, setters, and toString(). Then, you will create two subclasses: ProgrammingTextbook (adding a language field) and EngineeringTextbook (adding a subject field), each with appropriate constructors, methods, and toString().
A TestTextbooks class will instantiate two objects of each subclass, store them in an ArrayList, and perform various tests using loops and method calls to demonstrate functionality and correctness, accompanied by thorough documentation.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The development of robust and efficient software systems requires careful consideration of data management, validation, and object-oriented design principles. In this context, the creation of classes to model real-world entities such as university subjects and textbooks is fundamental. This paper discusses the design and implementation of two primary modules: a Subject management system and a set of textbook classes, emphasizing encapsulation, validation, and collection handling to meet specified requirements.
Design and Implementation of the Subject Class and Management System
The core of the first module is the Subject class, which encapsulates the attributes of university subjects. Each subject comprises a name and a unique code, conforming to a strict structural format—three alphabetic characters followed by three numeric characters. The constructor validates the format and ensures code uniqueness across an array of subjects managed by the TestSubject class.
The Subject class includes accessor methods such as getDiscipline() that extracts and returns the discipline area based on the first three characters of the code. The codeMatches() method facilitates comparison between a subject's code and an external string, aiding in validation and search functionalities. The toString() method provides a user-friendly textual representation of a subject object.
Class methods enhance collection management by enabling the extraction of unique discipline codes (allDisciplines()), filtering subjects within a discipline (codesPerDiscipline()), validation of code format (isValidCode()), and checking for existing codes (codeExists()). The sortDisciplines() method orders subjects alphabetically by discipline, aiding in user interactions and data organization.
The TestSubject class orchestrates the practical application of these classes. It begins by loading existing subjects from a data file, then interacts with the user to add new subjects while ensuring data validity and uniqueness. The process involves displaying current disciplines, existing codes, and prompting user input for new subjects. After modification, the updated data overwrites the original file, ensuring persistent storage.
Object-Oriented Design and Validation Strategies
The design emphasizes encapsulation to safeguard data integrity, with private fields and public accessor methods. Validation of user input is enforced via the isValidCode() method, which checks structural correctness, and codeExists() to prevent duplicates. The modular approach, with static methods for collection operations, fosters code reusability and clarity. The user interface, though simplified in description, is designed to be intuitive, guiding users through the process of selecting disciplines and entering new subject codes.
Features and Functionality of the Textbook Classes
The second module involves an abstract Textbook class encapsulating fundamental properties common to all textbooks: title, author, and pages. Encapsulation is achieved through protected fields with public getters and setters, with validation applied where appropriate. The class includes a toString() method for textual representation, aiding in display and debugging.
The ProgrammingTextbook subclass extends Textbook by adding a language attribute, relevant for programming textbooks. Similarly, the EngineeringTextbook subclass adds a subject attribute to specify the engineering discipline covered. Both subclasses include constructors for initialization, overriding the toString() method to include their specific attribute, and implement additional accessors as needed.
The TestTextbooks class demonstrates the usage of these classes. It creates at least two instances of each subclass, stores references in an ArrayList, and performs operations such as displaying the details, modifying attributes through setters, and printing updated information. These tests verify the correct functioning of class methods, inheritance, and encapsulation, ensuring that the classes behave as expected in different scenarios.
Conclusion
The described design exemplifies core principles of object-oriented programming, including encapsulation, inheritance, and modularity. By implementing validation mechanisms and collection management methods, the solution ensures data integrity and usability. The textbook classes demonstrate inheritance and polymorphism, while the subject management system ensures the organized handling of course codes and disciplines. Together, these modules establish a robust framework for managing academic data, with the potential for further extension and integration into larger systems.
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