An overview of

programming languages
LECT_ONE
Course  Course Descriptions
Descriptions
  A computer is an electronic device that accepts data,
store the data, manipulate data and give the output
 An electronic device for storing and processing data,
What is typically in binary form, according to instructions given
computer? to it in a variable program
 A computer is a machine that can be instructed to carry
out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations
automatically via computer programming.
  A computer program is a collection of instructions that
can be executed by a computer to perform a specific
task.
 A computer program is usually written by a computer
programmer in a programming language.
Computer  Computer programming is the process that
Programming professionals use to write code that instructs how a
computer, application or software program performs.
 Computer programmers create instructions for a
computer to execute by writing and testing code that
enables applications and software programs to operate
successfully.
Roles of
computers and
computer
Programming
in problem
solving
Roles of  The term problem is used to refer to a situation where it
computers and is not immediately obvious how to reach the goal.
computer  The exact same situation can be a problem for one
Programming person and not a problem (perhaps just a simple activity
or routine exercise) for another person.
in problem
solving
Roles of
 Problem solving consists of moving from a
computers and
given initial situation to a desired goal situation.
computer
 That is, problem solving is the process of
Programming designing and carrying out a set of steps to reach
in problem a goal
solving
  The aspect of moving toward a well-defined
Roles of problem and solving a problem is very
important.
computers and
 It is a higher-order thinking aspect of problem
computer solving.
Programming  There are many complex problems that simply
in problem overwhelm a brain’s ability to hold in active
solving mind the various components and to think
through the various possibilities
  Other problem representations, such as through
Roles of writing and mathematics, are useful because
computers and they are a supplement to your brain.
computer  Written representations of problems facilitate
Programming sharing with yourself and others over time and
distance.
in problem
 However, a written model is not as easily
solving changed as a mental model.
  Many problems can be represented in a form so
that a computer can process the representation and
perhaps help to solve the problem.
Roles of  For example, a spreadsheet can be used to
computers and represent payroll problems and can be used to
computer explore the cost of possible changes in rates of
pay.
Programming  A computer can be used to represent a photograph,
in problem and then used to manipulate the photograph to
solving change certain features.
 A computer can store maps of a territory in a
manner that facilitates using a computer to help
solve problems concerning the territory.
Roles of  All of these are examples of computer modeling
computers and —the computer representation of problems.
computer  For some problems, a computer model has some
Programming of the same characteristics as a mental model.
in problem  Some computer models are easy to change and
solving allow easy exploration of alternatives
  For example, suppose the problem that you face
(that is, the task you want to accomplish) is
Roles of writing a report on some work that you have
computers and done.
computer  You are probably familiar with the six steps of
Programming process writing
in problem  Brainstorming, organizing the brainstormed
solving ideas, developing a draft, obtaining feedback,
revising (which may involve going back to
earlier steps), publishing
  When you write using a word processor, you are
producing a computer model of a written
Roles of document.
 You know, of course, that a key to high quality
computers and
writing is "revise, revise, revise."
computer
 This is much more easily done with a computer
Programming model of a document than it is with a paper and
in problem pencil model of a document.
solving  In addition, a computer can assist in spell
checking and grammar checking, and it can be
used to produce a nicely formatted final product
  In the representation of problems, computers are
very useful in some cases and not at all useful in
Roles of others.
computers and  For example, a computer can easily present data
computer in a variety of graphical formats, such as line
Programming graph, bar graph, or in the form of graphs of
two- and three-dimensional mathematical
in problem functions.
solving  This can be very useful in solving problems that
involve a lot of data.
  But a computer may not be a good
Roles of  Suppose that one's mental representation of a
computers and problem is in terms smells, and feelings.
computer  Research that delved into the inner workings of
the minds of successful researchers and
Programming inventors suggests this is common and perhaps
in problem necessary.
solving  A computer may be of little use in representing
such a mental model.
  One of the two winners of the 1998 Nobel Prize in
Chemistry was awarded the prize for his work in
Computational Chemistry.
 For more than 15 years, he had been developing
computer models of chemistry processes.
Some
 Similar progress has occurred in all of the sciences.
Applications of
 For example, in Physics it used to be that a research
Computer physicist was classified as either a theoretical physicist
Models or an experimental physicist.
 Now there is a third category—a computational
physicist.
 There are computational biologists, computational
mathematicians, and so on.
  Computer modeling is now an essential
component of architecture, business,
Some engineering, industrial manufacturing, and
Applications of military operations.
Computer  Indeed, computer modeling is such a powerful
Models aid to representing and solving problems that it
has become an integral tool in almost every
academic discipline
  Many computer scientists work in the field of
Some Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Applications of  This field is also called Machine Intelligence.
Computer  In essence, AI researchers work to develop
Models computer programs and computer systems that
can solve a wide range of problems.
  One can think of a handheld calculator as having
some Artificial Intelligence.
 More sophisticated calculators can solve a wide
Some range of math problems.
Applications of  A spelling checker in a word processor has a
Computer certain level of intelligence, as does a grammar
Models checker.
 A robot working on an assembly line (for
example, doing welding or spray painting ) has a
certain level of intelligence
  How can a computer be applied in your
Your Turn Field/ Program?
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