Event Driven Programming

Aim and purpose

To introduce learners to the features of event driven programming and the event driven development
environment and to develop the skills required to design, implement, test, document and review event driven programs.

Unlike traditional programming, where the control flow is determined by the program structure, the control flow of event driven programs is largely driven by external events. Typically, event loops are pre-programmed to continually look for information to process. Event driven programming is a very flexible way of allowing programs to respond to many inputs or events.

In this unit learners will to become familiar with the underpinning concepts of event driven programming and subsequently develop particular skills in one language. The unit starts by looking at the features of event driven programming and the event driven environment. Learners will discuss how these types of language are used and their suitability for different uses. The unit then puts theory into practise and learners will design and develop event driven programs to meet specified needs. There are many concepts to be learned and practised to enable learners to be able to confidently design and implement programs.

A variety of languages have the capacity to develop event driven solutions and it is not important which language is chosen as long as the skills being developed and evidenced relate to the key event driven focus.

As with all programming, a focus on developing solutions to meet identified needs is made along with one that emphasises the importance of testing and reviewing.