Introduction to Programming

Lecturers: Steven and Shawn

Overview

• 21 segments covering basics of computer programming
• Applicable to all programming languages
• Focus on major key points common to all languages
• No specific focus on language-specific topics like OOP or command line navigation
• No software required; no code writing in an IDE

Topics Covered

1. What is Programming?

   • Definition: Process of preparing an instructional program for a device
   • Goal: Get a computer to complete a task without mistakes
   • Similarity to giving instructions to a less intelligent friend who only speaks a different language
   • Computers only understand machine code (binary)
   • Programming languages act as middlemen, translating human-readable code into machine code

2. Writing and Compiling Code

   • Use an IDE (Integrated Development Environment)
     • Provides interface for writing, running, and debugging code
     • Includes tools like error checking, auto-filling, and project hierarchy
   • Syntax: Grammar for programming languages
     • Each language has its own unique syntax
     • Mistakes in syntax result in errors
   • Console: Interface for outputting text from the program
     • Print statements display information on the console

3. Basic Mathematics and String Operations

   • Arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, modulus
   • Strings: Text enclosed in quotation marks
     • Concatenation: Combining multiple strings or strings with numbers
   • Importance of syntax in operations

4. Variables

   • Storage for information that can be referenced and manipulated
   • Types: Integers, Booleans, Floats, Doubles, Strings, Characters
   • Example: Integer variables cannot hold decimal values
   • Naming conventions: CamelCase

5. Conditional Statements

   • Control flow depending on conditions
   • If, Elsif, Else: Help make decisions in the code
   • Example: Check user age to allow/deny access to certain program features

6. Arrays

   • Lists to store multiple related values
   • Indexing starts at 0
   • Fixed size and type of values
   • Example: Grocery list
   • 2D arrays: Arrays within arrays

7. Loops

   • Repeat instructions multiple times
   • Types: For, For Each, While, Do-While
   • Example: Print statement multiple times using a loop
   • Infinite loops should be avoided

8. Errors and Debugging

   • Types: Syntax errors, Runtime errors, Logic errors
   • Debugging: Process of finding and fixing errors
   • Strategies: Print statements, Breakpoints, Commenting out code

9. Functions

   • Segments of code that can be called repeatedly
   • Types: With/Without arguments, With/Without return values
   • Example: Print function
   • Importance for reducing code clutter and making changes easily

10. Data Structures Beyond Arrays

• Array Lists: Arrays that can grow
• Dictionaries: Key-value pairs for storing data
• Searching Algorithms: Linear and Binary search

11. Recursion

• Functions that call themselves repeatedly
• Importance of a base case to avoid infinite recursion
• Stack: Data structure that helps manage recursive calls

12. Planning and Pseudocode

• Importance of planning before writing code
• Pseudocode: Plan out code in plain English or using diagrams
• Methods: Flowcharts, Chronological write-ups, Feature/function planning

13. Choosing the Right Programming Language

• Depends on the task: Web design, scripting, general-purpose languages
• Examples: HTML/CSS for websites, Java/Python/C++ for general purposes

14. Next Steps in Learning Programming

• Research and learn more about desired languages
• Online resources: CodeBats, CodingBat, HackerRank, etc.
• High school courses: AP Computer Science, other CS classes
• Practical experience: Contribute to open-source projects, personal projects

Conclusion

• Master basics to jumpstart any language learning
• Plan before coding to reduce errors
• Explore resources and find niche areas of interest