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Introduction

The document provides an introduction to a computer science lecture, outlining the teaching team, available academic support resources, free software for students, and introducing key concepts like algorithms, flowcharts, and the module structure which includes weekly lectures and tutorials and assessments consisting of an in-class test and coding assignment.

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asif sadek
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13 views24 pages

Introduction

The document provides an introduction to a computer science lecture, outlining the teaching team, available academic support resources, free software for students, and introducing key concepts like algorithms, flowcharts, and the module structure which includes weekly lectures and tutorials and assessments consisting of an in-class test and coding assignment.

Uploaded by

asif sadek
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as pdf or txt
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Lecture 1: Introduction

Brahim El Boudani
Email: elboudb2@lsbu.ac.uk
About me
Academic Support (LRC)

● The teaching team of this course.


● Skills for learning team at LSBU Hub:
1. Academic Practices and English Language
Development
2. Maths and Stats
● One-to-One Appointments (30 minutes)
Free Softwares for
Students

● Most of our labs are equipped with the necessary softwares


for this module.
● Microsoft Azure Dev-Tools for Students
● Microsoft 365
● Github Student pack
About you…

• Tell us more about yourself, your interests etc.


• What interests you about Computer Science?
• Do you have any prior programming experience?
• Why do you want to learn programming?
• What are your key expectations from this course?

Introduction Form
Module Guide
Module Aims

• To provide students with fundamental programming skills.


• To give students understanding of the fundamental concepts of software
development such as writing source code and compilation/execution of
programs.
• To enable students to become familiar with development tools and
environments.
Module Structure & Assessment
Contact Time

• Weekly 5 hour contact time with teaching team


• 2 hours lecture
• 3 hours tutorial

Assessment

• 1 in-class test: Multiple choice questions (50%)


• Coding assignment: Report and source code! (50%)
Reference Core Textbooks
Reference Optional Textbooks
Things to keep in mind..
• Completely go through the module guide
• Get a logbook to keep your valuable notes
• Make the best utilization of lab time and complete the
examples/exercises in time.
• Virtual interactions (Q&A, polls, quizzes etc. VLE forum)
• Visit Moodle regularly and get the updated
• Lecture slides
• Tutorial sheets
• Lectures recordings
Let’s talk some
programming basics:
Algorithms & Flowcharts
Computer programs
& Software Development

• What is a computer program?


• Instructions to make a computer do something

• What is a computer programming?


• Computer programming is the process of writing or editing
source code

• What is software development?


• Writing computer programs.
Algorithm

• An algorithm is a formal step-by-step method for solving problems.


• An algorithm consists of an ordered sequence of instructions.
• Each step of the algorithm should be unambiguous—that is, it should not have
many meanings.
• It should have a finite number of steps.
• It should terminate/stop after this finite number of steps.
• It should have some input and may or may not produce any output.
Algorithm

• Algorithm can be formulated using:


• natural language (e.g., plain English),
• sketches
• Diagrams
• Pseudocode
• Representing an algorithm for a machine readable format is called programming.

• An algorithmic representation that is meant to be readable by a computer is called?


A Programme
Algorithm Example
Flowchart

• A flowchart is a pictorial representation of an algorithm.


• It serves as a means of recording, analysing, and communicating
problem information in a human readable form.
• The flowchart outlines the structure and logic of the algorithm and the
sequence of operations to be followed in solving the problem.
• A flowchart is composed of a set of standard symbols, each of which
is unique in shape and represents a particular type of operation
• Once the flowchart is drawn, it becomes easy to write the program in
any high level language.
Flowchart symbols
Symbol Name Meaning

Flowlines Represent direction of processing.

Start/End An Oval shape indicates the beginning and the end


of a flowchart. Remember! Each algorithm should
have only one entry point and one exit point
Input/output A parallelogram represents the input and the
output of the process.

Process A rectangle means a process is involved.

Decision A diamond indicates decision


Flowchart symbols
Symbol Meaning
Terminal symbol The terminal symbol, which is oval shaped, represents start and end points
of an algorithm. Typically, there is only one starting point, but there may be more
than one end points, one to indicate the end of normal processing and others to
indicate an exit resulting from one or more unrecoverable error conditions.
Input/output Both input and output operations are represented by a parallelogram tilted to the
symbol right.
Processing The rectangular processing symbol is used to indicate operations involving
symbol arithmetic and data manipulation. This symbol is also used to represent a
collection of statements that perform computations.
Decision symbol The diamond-shaped decision symbol is used to indicate a point in the
algorithm at which a branch to one or more alternative paths is possible. The
condition upon which each of the exit paths will be executed is identified within the
diamond shaped symbol. Also, flowlines leaving the corners of the diamond are
labeled with the decision results associated with each path.
Basic Example: Making Tea
Flowchart VS algorithm
Flowchart Algorithm

The graphical or pictorial representation of the logic of Step-by-step finite procedure of solving the problem in
the hand
problem in hand
Use of different shapes that are joined by flow lines Written step by step

Use of flow lines Flow control moves from top to bottom

The task to be performed written within boxes in English All instructions written in English

Easily converted into algorithm or program in high-level Easily converted into flowchart or program in high-level
language language
Drawn after writing algorithm. Normally written before flowchart
Flowchart and Algorithm

Some programming
Algorithm Flowchart
Language
Input: two numbers x and y
Output: the average of x and y
Steps: • Python
1. input x, input y • Java
2. sum = x + y • C
3. average = sum /2 • Assembly
output average • C#
Tools to create Flowcharts
& Algorithms Pseudocodes

• PowerPoint of course!
• Lucidchart (Web)
• Microsoft Visio (Windows, Web)
• Draw.io (Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS)
• OmniGraffle (macOS, iOS)
• Gliffy Diagram.

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