INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING
Course Instructor: Sumaira Gulzar
WHAT IS A COMPUTER PROGRAM?
• Computer works on a set of instructions called
a Computer Program, which specify the ways
to carry out a task
• A computer takes instruction in the form of a
computer program
• The human beings instruct computers in a
language understood by it
In order to design a program, a programmer
must determine three basic rudiments:
– The instructions to be performed
– The order in which those instructions are to be
performed
– The data required to perform those instructions
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT CYCLE
• Before starting the process of writing a
program, the programmer has to determine
the problem that needs to be solved
– Problem-solving is a process that involves
discovering, analyzing and solving problems.
– The ultimate goal of problem-solving is to
overcome obstacles and find a solution that best
resolves the issue
– The problem is broken into a series of smaller
steps
• One common technique of problem solving is
Program Development Cycle
• Development cycle of a program includes the
following phases:
Problem Algorithm Drawing
Coding Testing Documentation
Analysis Writing Flowchart
1. PROBLEM ANALYSIS
Firstly, the problem is analyzed precisely and
completely. The problem clarification includes
6 mini-steps:
2. ALGORITHM WRITING
• After selecting the appropriate solution, an
algorithm is developed to depict the basic logic
of the selected solution
• An Algorithm depicts the solution in logical steps
• An algorithm is a formula or set of steps for
solving a particular problem
• It must contain a set of rules which must be
unambiguous and have a clear stopping point
• Algorithms are checked for accuracy in order
to identify major logical errors at an early
stage
• We use algorithms every day. For example, a
recipe for baking bread is an algorithm
3. DRAWING FLOWCHART
• Algorithms are represented in detail using the following
tools:
– Flowcharts (drawing tool)
– Pseudo codes (writing tool)
• The tools make program logic clear and eventually help in
coding
• Pseudo code is a method of designing a program using
normal human-language statements to describe the logic
and the processing flow
• Pseudo code is like an outline or summary form of the
program you will write
• A Program Flowchart is a chart that graphically
presents the detailed series of steps (algorithm, or
logical flow) needed to solve a programming problem
• The Flowchart uses standard symbols called ANSI
(American National Standards Institute )symbols
• Flowchart symbols, examples and practice questions
will be covered in next class
Flowchart Standard Symbols
EXAMPLE
PSEUDO CODE Flowchart
4. CODING
• After meeting all considerations, the actual
coding of the program begins
• In this step, logic of the program worked out
from pseudo code or flowcharts is translated
into a high-level programming language,
following its grammatical rules
• This step is dependent upon application
domain and available resources
• Coding includes 2 mini-steps:
5. TESTING
• Program Testing involves running various tests
and then running real world data to make sure
the program works
• Two principal activities are:
– Desk-checking: is simply reading through or
checking the program to make sure that it’s free of
errors and that the logic works
– Debugging: To debug means to detect, locate, and
remove all errors in a computer program
6. DOCUMENTATION
• After the program is free from all the errors,
developers must ensure that program is
supported by suitable documentation
• The Documentation consist of 4 mini-steps:
COMPUTER LANGUAGES
• Three types of computer languages
• 1) Machine Language
– “Natural language” of computers
– Only language computer directly understands
– Generally consist of strings of 0s and 1s
– Instruct computers to perform elementary
operations
• 2) Assembly language
– English-like abbreviations representing elementary
computer operations
– Clearer to humans
– Incomprehensible to computers
– Convert to machine language by translator
program: Assembler
• 3) High-level languages
– Similar to everyday English
– Uses common mathematical notations
– Clearer to humans
– Single statements accomplish substantial tasks
– Incomprehensible to computers
– Convert to machine language by translator
programs: Compilers
C++ APPLICATIONS IN REAL WORLD
• Adobe systems
– Photoshop and Image Ready,
– Illustrator and Acrobat
• Microsoft
– Windows XP , Microsoft Office , Internet Explorer ,
Visual Studio language c sharp
• Applications for iPod are written in C++
Programming Language for developing
different games
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z39aPwv
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