0 Introduction To Computer Programming Lectures

                           Introduction

Writing software, computer programs, is describing how to do something.   In its simplest form, it is a lot like writing down the steps it takes to do something - a process.  But, if what you need to do is not obvious or it involves multiple objects (each with their own process) writing the program will challenge you like when you are solving puzzles.

So, writing a computer program can be like composing music, like building a house, like creating lots of stuff.  It has been argued that in its current state, it is an Art, not engineering.

An important reason to consider learning a bit about how to program a computer is that the concepts underlying it will be valuable to you, regardless of whether or not you go on to make a career out of it.  One thing that you will learn quickly is that a computer is very dumb.  It does exactly what you tell it to do, which is not necessarily what you wanted.  Programming will help you learn the importance of clarity of expression.

A deep understanding of programming, in particular

the notions of successive decomposition as a mode

of analysis and debugging of trial solutions,

results in significant educational benefits in

many domains of discourse, including those

unrelated to computers and information technology

per se.

 

(Seymour Papert, in "Mindstorms")

 

Computers have proven immensely effective as aids

to clear thinking. Muddled and half-baked ideas

have sometimes survived for centuries because

luminaries have deluded themselves as much as

their followers or because lesser lights, fearing

ridicule, couldn't summon up the nerve to admit

that they didn't know what the Master was talking

about. A test as near foolproof as one could get

of whether you understand something as well as

you think is to express it as a computer program

and then see if the program does what it is

supposed to. Computers are not sycophants and

won't make enthusiastic noises to ensure their

promotion or camouflage what they don't know.

What you get is what you said.

 

(James P. Hogan in "Mind Matters")

But, most of all, it can be lots of fun!!!

Course Description

This subject is aimed at students with little or no programming experience. It aims to provide students with an understanding of the role computation can play in solving problems. It also aims to help students, regardless of their major, to feel justifiably confident of their ability to write small programs that allow them to accomplish useful goals. The class will use the Python™ programming language.