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CS50 Lecture Notes: Introduction to Computer Science & Programming
Jun 13, 2024
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CS50 Lecture Notes
Introduction to Computer Science & Programming
Instructor: David J. Malan
Course: CS50, Harvard University's Introduction to Computer Science
Special Guest: Spot the Robot, Boston Dynamics (Demo)
Instructor's Background
David Malan took CS50 as a sophomore after initially gravitating towards Government studies.
Found programming fun and switched to a letter grade after enrolling pass/fail.
Emphasizes that computer science is a general-purpose way of solving problems applicable to many fields.
Encourages students to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable with new material.
Course Overview
Languages learned:
C:
Foundational, older language.
Python:
Modern, used for data science, web apps.
SQL:
For databases.
JavaScript, HTML, CSS:
For web development.
Course Structure:
Weekly problem sets (assignments).
Sections/recitations for different comfort levels.
Final project representing a capstone of CS50 experience.
Key Concepts
Problem Solving:
Focus on how to solve problems using algorithms and computational thinking.
Learning Objectives for Today:
Representing numbers, letters, colors, images, videos, and audios.
Writing algorithms and implementing them with code.
Binary System:
Binary (base-2) representation.
Bits and bytes (8 bits = 1 byte).
Text Representation:
ASCII and Unicode for character representation.
Hexadecimal (base-16) notation for compact representation.
Color Representation:
RGB model (Red, Green, Blue) using bytes (0-255).
Algorithm Efficiency:
Binary search as a model for efficient problem solving.
Course Activities & Community
CS50 Lunches:
Weekly at Changsho restaurant.
CS50 Puzzle Day:
Team-based problem-solving with puzzles, pizza, and prizes.
CS50 Hackathon:
Intense programming night ending with IHOP pancakes.
CS50 Fair:
Exhibition of final projects.
CS50 Culture:
Focus on personal growth vs. peer comparison.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in CS50
AI-based tools like the CS50 Duck to help students.
Restricted use of AI-based tools for assignments, with CS50's AI tools permitted.
Introduction of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT.
Introduction to Scratch Programming
Purpose:
Visual programming to understand basic concepts before C.
Interface:
Blocks representing actions, controls, and events.
Basics: Hello World Example
Using "events" and "looks" blocks to make the cat say hello.
Advanced Scratch Programs:
Custom functions (meow example), loops, conditionals, and games.
Examples:
Oscar Time Game: Trash falling into Oscar the Grouch’s bin.
Interactive games using video sensing and keyboard input.
Conclusion
Encouragement to take incremental steps in problem-solving.
Final note: Cake served in the Transept and meet Spot the robot.
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Full transcript