Introduction to Programming Concepts & Logic

Introduction to Programming Concepts & Logic COP1006 with Dr. Meg McManus COP1006

Introduction • Course Outline • Asthma & Allergies • Course Website • Tests • Assignments COP1006

Puzzles, anyone? Do you Suduku? COP1006

Why Programming? • We encounter problems every day. • Programs are simply solutions to problems. • Puzzles are simply a solution to a problem • To create programs • We have to learn to think a different way… • The way computers think. COP1006

General Problem-Solving Concepts Lesson 1 COP1006

6 Steps in Problem Soliving COP1006

6 Steps in Problem Solving 1. Identify the problem • If you don’t know what the problem is, you can’t create a solution for it. • Ex. Calculate Payroll for 10 Employees • Ex. Provide directions COP1006

6 Steps in Problem Solving 2. Understand the problem • Clients rarely completely understand what they want let alone how to tell you. • Perform • Research - to form your own knowledge base • Observations by • Watching current activity • Reviewing past activities • Ex. Giving instructions to someone on how to find an address. COP1006

6 Steps in Problem Solving 3. Identify alternative ways to solve the problem. • Rarely does a problem have only one solution. • Look at • Efficiency • Speed • Accuracy • Acceptability Don’t just find one solution and stop there. Rarely is it the best solution…especially for novice programmers… COP1006

6 Steps in Problem Solving 4. Select the best way to solve the problem from the list of alternative solutions. • Establish criteria to help when performing evaluations on each alternative • Include pros and cons for each solution • Select the best solution based on the research COP1006

6 Steps in Problem Solving 5. List instructions that enable you to solve the problem using the selected solution. • Create a numbered, step-by-step set of instructions • Instructions must be included in the knowledge base • So, what’s a knowledge base? COP1006

6 Steps in Problem Solving 6. Evaluate the solution. • Test the solution • Are the results accurate? • Does the solution solve the original problem? • Does it satisfy the needs of the client? • Is it acceptable to the client? COP1006

2 Types of Problems • Algorithmic Solutions • Steps involved in following a set of instructions. • Ex. Calculating your checkbook balance • The solution will be the same each time the algorithm is followed. • Most computers use algorithmic types of problems. COP1006

2 Types of Problems • Heuristic Solutions • Solutions that can’t be reached by following a direct set of steps. • Created by using reasoning built upon knowledge and experience…and by trial and error. • Ex. Determining which stock is the best value at any given time • The results may not produce the same results each time the algorithm is executed. • Artificial intelligence deals with heuristic types of problems. COP1006

Solutions • The instructions that will result in the best solution. • Again, the result may • Be more Efficient • Be Faster • Be more Understandable • Be more Maintainable • Be Reusable COP1006

Results • The outcome of the program • Or the completed computer-assisted answer… • May take any form: • Printout • Updated files • Output to monitor, speakers, etc. COP1006

The Program • The set of instructions that make up the solution after they have been coded into a particular computer language. Although we won’t be actually writing programs, at least not in any specific language, this is what we will be working toward throughout this course! COP1006

Difficulties in Problem Solving? • Humans must • Change the way we think • Work through the problem completely • Follow a logical sequence of steps • Not make hasty decisions • Not make haphazard evaluations of potential solutions COP1006

Next? Lesson 2! COP1006

Introduction to Programming Concepts & Logic