Introduction to Computers and

Programming

Hoang Quang Huy

[email protected]
http://web.ibme.dev
Content

1. Programming
2. Hardware and Software

3. Program Development Cycle

- Algorithm
- Flow charts
- Hierarchy charts

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 Programming – Why?
• Computers are used for many different purposes in
many different situations.
– But, how can they be so versatile?
• Answer: They can be programmed
• The ability for a computer to be programmed allows it
to do whatever its programs tell it what to do.
• A program is a set of instructions that tell a computer
what to do.
• A computer cannot do anything unless it has a program
to tell it what to do.
• In this class, we will focus on writing these programs.
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 Programming – What?
• Programs are used to operate the components of a
computer, solve problems or satisfy a want/need.
– How long will it take me to get home if I drive x miles per hour?
– I want to be able to tell my friends what I am doing right now.
• Computer Programming is both an Art and a Science
– Every aspect of a program must be carefully designed
• As an art, programming takes creativity and problem
solving.
– There is often no one correct way to solve a problem.
• As a science, there are formal and proven methods to go
about creating a programming.
• In this course, you will learn both the art and science of
programming.
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 Programming – What?

Machine language

Programming
Assembly language
languages

High-level language

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Interpreter vs Compiler

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Programming – How???

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 Hardware and Software
• Programs can also be called software.
– Software refers to the computer programs that a computer uses
to complete a task.
• Hardware refers to the physical components that a
computer is made of.
– A computer is not one device, but a system of devices working
in tandem.
– Each device plays a part.
– Major components:
• Central Processing Unit
• Main Memory
• Secondary Storage Devices
• Input Devices
• Output Devices

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IBM PC 5150 (1981)

IBM Thinkpad X1 Gen 9 14

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 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• The CPU is the brain of the computer.
• The CPU continuously does the following things:
1. Fetch an instruction
2. Follow the instruction
3. Produce some resulting data
• The CPU has two parts:
– Control Unit
• Coordinates the computer’s operations
• Determines where to get the next instruction
• Regulates the other major components of the computer
– Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
• Designed to perform mathematical operations

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 Main Memory
• Main memory holds information that the CPU needs to access quickly.
– Namely, the instructions to be executed.
• When a program is running, some or all of its instructions are in main
memory.
• Memory is divided into sections called bytes that hold equal amount of
data.
• Each section is made up of 8 bits.
– A Bit is the most basic unit of information a computer can hold. It is a switch
that is either on (1) or off (0)
• Each byte is assigned and can be accessed by its address.
– A Memory Address is a unique identifying number associated with a byte in
memory.
• Main memory typically is volatile.
– Volatile Memory – is memory that when it loses power, the contents are
erased.

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 Secondary Storage
• Secondary Storage is memory that can hold data for a long period of time.
• Programs are usually stored in secondary storage and loaded into main
memory as needed.
– This forms a hierarchy typically called the memory hierarchy.
• Common forms of secondary storage:
– Hard Drive
• Disk Drive
• Solid State Drive
– Removable Storage
• Floppy Disk
• CD-ROM
• USB Drives
• Other files can be stored in secondary storage:
– Documents
– Pictures
– Whatever else you save on your computer

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 Check point
1 What does the acronym CPU stand for? What
unit is used to measure CPU speed?
2 What is a bit? What is a byte?
3 What is memory for? What does RAM stand
for? Why is memory called RAM?
4 What unit is used to measure memory size?
What unit is used to measure disk size?
5 What is the primary difference between
memory and a storage device?

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 Input Devices
• Input is any data the computer collects from the
outside world.
• An Input Device is anything that collects data and
sends it to the computer.
• Common Input Devices:
– Keyboard
– Mouse
– Scanner
– Digital Camera
– Disk Drive
– USB Drive
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 Output Devices
• Output is any data the computer sends to the
outside world.
• An Output Device formats data and presents it
to the outside world.
• Common Output Devices:
– Monitor
– Printer
– Disk Drive
– USB Drive

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 Software
• Software refers to the programs that run on a computer.
• Two main categories (for this class):
– Operating System (OS)
• A set of programs that manages a computer’s hardware
devices and controls their processes.
• Most modern operating systems are capable of running
multiple programs at once.
• UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows are examples
– Application Software
• Programs that make the computer useful for the user
• Solve specific problems or supply a service
• Word processors, spreadsheets, databases, etc.
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 Program Development Cycle
• Many programmers follow a sequence of Steps to
create their programs.
1. Analyze – Define the Problem
– Make sure that you understand what the program should
do. What should the user be able to enter? How? How
does the program come up with an answer? What does
the program output? How?
• User – a person who uses a computer program.
• End User – the user that the program was made for.
2. Design – Plan a Solution for the Problem
– Develop a PRECISE sequence of steps to solve the problem
• An algorithm is a precise sequence of steps to solve a problem.

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 Develop an Algorithm
• Imagine you want a program that tells a user
how many stamps they need in order to mail a
certain number of pages.
• You need one stamp for every 5 pages
– 6 pages = 2 stamps
– 12 pages = 3 stamps
–…
• Write an algorithm (the steps needed) to solve
this problem

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 Program Development Cycle – Design
(Continued)
• Typically a program follows three general
steps
1. Input
2. Processing (Formulas)
3. Output

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Develop an Algorithm, 2nd Attempt
• OK, with this knowledge, try writing the
algorithm again

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 Program Development Cycle – Design
(Continued)
• Are those three steps enough?
• What about if the user enters “Banana” instead of a number of sheets?
• The program does not know how to find the number of stamps required to
mail “Banana” number of sheets
• In order for the program to run without crashing, our algorithm must
make sure that the user inputs some valid data.
– There are two main ways of doing this:
1. Prevention – Making sure that the user is not physically able to enter in invalid data.
2. Validation – Allowing the user to enter invalid data, but checking it to make sure it is valid
before processing.
• So, there are really 4 general steps most programs follow:
1. Input
1. Read Input
2. Validate Input
2. Process
3. Output

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Develop an Algorithm, 3rd Attempt
• OK, now with THAT information, try developing the
algorithm
• One good algorithm developed could look like this:
1. Request the number of sheets of paper from the user; call
it Sheets (Input/Read)
2. Make sure Sheets is a positive whole number
(Input/Validation)
3. Divide Sheets by 5 (Processing)
4. Round the result from step 3 up to the highest whole
number; call it Stamps (Processing)
5. Reply with the number Stamps (Output)

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 Programming Tools
• Flowcharts – A chart that consists of symbols
connected by arrows. Within each symbol is a phrase
presenting the activity at that step. The shape of the
symbol indicates the type of operation that is to occur.
• Hierarchy Charts – A chart that shows the overall
program structure. These charts describe what each
part, or module, does and how they are related. These
modules intentionally omit details of how they work.
• Pseudocode – an abbreviated plain English version of
actual computer code. Kind of a mix between English
and code. THERE IS NO OFFICIAL SYNTAX TO
PSEUDOCODE.

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 Flow Charts
• Flow Line - indicates the flow of logic

• Terminal – indicates the start or end of a task

• Input/Output – used for input or output

operations. What is to be input or output
should be in the figure.

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 Flow Charts
• Processing - used to show a processing step. The
instructions are displayed in the figure.

• Decision – used to show when a decision needs

to be made. Lines for yes and no come out of it.
The question is displayed in the figure.

• Connector – Used to join flow lines.

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 Stamps Flowchart
Start

Read
Sheets

Is sheets a
Display Error No positive
whole
Message number?

Yes
Set Stamps =
Sheets/5

Round Stamps to
nearest whole
number

Display
Stamps

End
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 Hierarchy Chart
Postage Stamp
Program

Calculate Display
Input
Stamps Stamps

Validate Set Stamps = Round Stamps to

Read Sheets the next whole
Sheets Sheets/5 number

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 Program Development Cycle
3. Write the Code – Implement a solution
– The instructions in a programming language
collectively called code.
– Your code should be a translation of your algorithm
developed into the programming language.
– This is the major focus of this course, but note that
you need to be able to think algorithmically in order
to do this.
• Meaning, you need to be able to logically solve the problem
in order to write a program for it.

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 Program Development Cycle
4. Testing and Debugging – Locate and remove any errors in the
program
– Testing is the process of finding errors in a program
– Debugging is the process of removing errors in a program.
• An error in a program is called a bug.
– We will talk more specifically about the kinds of errors that can occur
in a program once we start programming.
5. Complete All Documentation – Organize the material that
describes the program.
– Documentation is any material whose purpose is to allow another
person or programmer to use or understand the program
– Two kinds of documentation:
1. External Documentation – Material outside of the code files that describe the
program.
2. Internal Documentation – Lines inside of a code file that do nothing except
describe details of the program. In Java, these are called comments.

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