CIS 120 Midterm Review Lecture Notes

Introduction

• This document provides a review for the CIS 120 midterm.
• The focus is on understanding key concepts and preparing effectively for the exam.

Key Topics Covered

Programming Fundamentals

• Variables and Data Types: Understanding the use and importance of different types of variables.
• Control Structures: Focus on loops (for, while) and conditional statements (if, else).

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

• Classes and Objects: Understanding the basics of creating and using classes and objects.
• Inheritance and Polymorphism: Key principles and their applications in OOP.
• Encapsulation: Importance of encapsulating data and methods within classes.

Data Structures

• Arrays and Lists: Differences, uses, and how to manipulate them.
• Stacks and Queues: Understanding their operations and use cases.
• Hashmaps: Basics of hashmaps and their importance in programming.

Algorithms

• Sorting Algorithms: Overview of common algorithms like bubble sort, merge sort, etc.
• Search Algorithms: Discussion on linear search and binary search.
• Complexity Analysis: Basics of Big O notation and its significance in evaluating algorithm efficiency.

Study Tips

• Practice Coding: Regular coding practice to grasp concepts better.
• Review Lecture Notes: Go through class notes and understand examples discussed.
• Group Study: Collaborate with classmates for a better understanding of difficult topics.
• Utilize Office Hours: Make use of instructor and TA office hours for clarifications.

Conclusion

• Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing.
• Practice problems and past exams to identify areas of weakness.
• Stay consistent with study routines and manage time effectively for a successful midterm.