CS2 Data Structures Activity

Title	CS2 Data Structures Activity
Overview	Using the HFOSS OpenMRS project to illustrate the use of data structures in a complex system
Prerequisite Knowledge	CS1 and Java
Learning Objectives	Describe the difference between a data structure and the implementation thereof. Explain the application of a data structure in a specific large complex software system. Evaluate tradeoffs in selection of data structures. Analyze the time complexity of an algorithm that uses the data structure.

Background:

Data structures are widely used in the development of large complex software systems. The decision to use a particular data structure is made by the programmer or in many cases a development team. Several factors must be considered including storage requirements, time requirements of the various operations that will be performed on the data, and usage patterns (i.e. the number of deletions, insertions, updates, etc.). This activity will explore a class within the OpenMRS code base where a number of data structures are utilized. Students will explore and analyze their use.

Deliverables:

Written artifact to Instructor

Assessment:

How will the activity be graded?

How will learning will be measured?

Include sample assessment questions/rubrics.

Criteria	Level 1 (fail)	Level 2 (pass)	Level 3 (good)	Level 4 (exceptional)
The purpose of the project
Why the project is open source

Comments:

What should the instructor know before using this activity?

What are some likely difficulties that an instructor may encounter using this activity?

Additional Information:

ACM Knowledge Area/Knowledge Unit	What ACM Computing Curricula 2013 knowledge area and units does this activity cover? ACM_Body_of_Knowledge
ACM Topic	What specific topics are addressed? The Computing Curriucula 2013 provides a list of topics - https://www.acm.org/education/CS2013-final-report.pdf
Level of Difficulty	Is this activity easy, medium or challenging?
Estimated Time to Completion	Varies, designed as one assignment or laboratory activity
Materials/Environment	Access to OpenMRS codebase
Author	Who wrote this activity?
Source	POSSE 201405 Workshop Activity
License	Licensed CC BY-SA

Suggestions for Open Source Community:

Suggestions for an open source community member who is working in conjunction with the instructor.

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