Lesson 20a: Designing for Use

Due (via email to instructor) by 8 am on Wednesday, Mar. 24

Read Module 4 of the text, pp. 81-109, and answer the following questions.



Exercise 1:     What are the three guidelines for good system design? Can you think of any other desirable features for an easy-to-use system?


Exercise 2:     Consider the JavaScript interpreter you have been using to execute your code. This interpreter and its interface were written specifically for use in this class. Would you say that it has a good system design? Justify your answer (making use of the guidelines from the previous exercise).


Exercise 3:     What do we mean by smart data?


Exercise 4:     What are the three major elements that are required in every HTML document?


Exercise 5:     The element B modifies the text it contains from plain text to bold. List five other HTML elements that modify the displayed form of the text they enclose.


Exercise 6:     List any topics in the reading that you found especially interesting or thought-provoking.


Exercise 7:     List any topics in the reading that you found confusing.


Solutions to odd numbered exercises (posted late afternoon of due date).