CSC01- PROGRAMMING 1
Chapter 1:
Overview of the Computer System
❖ What is a computer?
Computer: a digital electronic machine that can be
programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic
or logical operations (computation) automatically
❖ Computer Basic Components
➢ Input Unit: devices use to enter data to be
processed
➢ Output Unit: devices used to display
information result
➢ Central Processing Unit: the core/brain of any
computer device
• Memory Unit: temporary storage of data
• Control Unit: manages the entire
functions of a computer.
• Arithmetical and Logical Unit: used for
mathematical calculations and arithmetic
operation
Computer programming- is the process of
designing and writing computer programs.
-practical skills to help you understand and write
computer code that reflects things you see and use
in the real world.
Basic Means in Programming:
✓ Computer basic skills
✓ Internet basic skills
✓ Problem-solving skills
✓ Critical thinking skills
✓ Problem analysis
❖ The Programming Process
➢ Identify the Problem:
carefully to try to identify what qualifies
as a solution
➢ Design a Solution:
work out just how you're going to turn
that specification into a working program.
➢ Write the Program:
Programming- is then the task of
describing your design to the computer:
teaching it your way of solving the
problem
3 stages to writing a program:
▪ Coding
▪ Compiling
▪ Debugging
• Coding: the act of translating the design
into an actual program, written in some
form of programming language.
• Compiling: is the process of turning the
program written in some programming
language into instructions made up of 0's
and 1's that the computer can follow.
• Debugging: the task of looking at the
original program, identifying the mistakes,
correcting the code, and recompiling it.
➢ Check the Solution: the final step in the
grand programming process is that of
testing your creation to check that it does
what you wanted it to do
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❖ What is Algorithms?
Algorithms- process or set of rules to be
followed in calculations or other problem-
solving operations, especially by a computer.
-act as an exact list of instructions that
conduct specified actions step by step in
either hardware- or software-based routines.
-is a set of rules or instructions used to solve
complex problems.
➢ Backtracking algorithm: finds a solution
to a given problem in incremental
approaches and solves it one piece at a
time
➢ Divide-and-conquer algorithm: common
algorithm is divided into two parts.
-divide the problem into smaller
subproblems
-solve these problems and then combine
them together to produce a solution.

➢ Dynamic programming algorithm: solves

How do algorithms work?
Algorithms can be expressed as:
▪ natural languages
▪ programming languages
▪ pseudocode
▪ flowcharts
▪ control tables
What are the different types of algorithms?
➢ Search engine algorithm: it takes search
strings of keywords and operators as
input, searches its associated database for
relevant web pages, and returns results.
problems by dividing them into
subproblems. The results are then stored
to be applied for future corresponding
problems.
➢ Brute-force algorithm: iterates all possible
solutions to a problem blindly, searching
for one or more solutions to a function.
➢ Sorting algorithm: are used to rearrange
data structure based on a comparison
operator, which is used to decide a new
order for data

➢ Hashing algorithm: takes data and

➢ Encryption algorithm: transforms data
converts it into a uniform message with a
according to specified actions to protect it
hashing

➢ Greedy algorithm: solves optimization

➢ Randomized algorithm: reduces running
problems by finding the locally optimal
times and time-based complexities. It uses
solution, hoping it is the optimal solution
random elements as part of its logic.
at the global level

➢ Recursive algorithm: calls itself

repeatedly until it solves a problem.
Recursive algorithms call themselves with
a smaller value every time a recursive
function is invoked.
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6 Examples of Real-World Algorithms ➢ Bus Schedules: The schedule busses
follow to make on-time arrivals and
➢ Sorting Papers: A teacher sorting papers departures is an example of a real-world
in alphabetical order is an example of a algorithm.
real-world algorithm. By looking at only
the first letter of the first name, you can
remove a lot of unnecessary information.
This is an automated process that makes
sorting more efficient.

➢ Facial Recognition: When we recognize

somebody’s face, we’re drawing upon
data we’ve previously collected on the
size and position of that person’s facial
features. That information is then
analyzed internally to automatically
recognize others.

➢ Google Search: For example, try searching

for “swimming elephant” and see what
you get. Google uses an algorithm to
generate these answers without needing
the entirety of the question.

➢ Duplicating Outcomes: Following a recipe

is a good example of real-world
algorithms in action. You might be able to
figure out how to make delicious pasta on
your own through trial and error, but
following a step-by-step recipe from a
well-known chef helps ensure success.

➢ Traffic Lights: Most traffic lights don’t

automatically cycle through green, yellow,
and red. Rather, there are sensory inputs
that determine the signals’ timing based
on the flow of traffic. The algorithm is a
well-constructed, step-by-step order that
directs the traffic appropriately (although
it may not feel like it when you’re sitting
at a red light).