Hello World - Introduction to coding.pptx

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Welcome
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Enter the Three things I learned challenge. Submit a graphic or video by 7th April, to share three things you learned
during Digital Skills Week, and be entered into the prize draw to win a pair of Bluetooth headphones.
Details on the Digital Skills Week website –go.herts.ac.uk/dsw

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Hello World: An Introduction
To Coding
Facilitated by: Jen Gainsford – Deputy Head of TEL and Digital Capabilities
and Joanna Szpunar – Digital Skills Facilitator
Contact via Email: digital@herts.ac.uk

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Learning Objectives
To know the three
main programming
constructs
To be able to write a
short program
To understand how
coding affects our daily
lives

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Coding can be defined as writing
instructions for computers to follow
 A computer then reads these
instructions, or programs, and
completes the steps
 Programs are written in a language
that a computer can understand
 Common programming languages
include Python, Java, C, C++, and
JavaScript.
What is coding?

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To solve a problem, you need to break
it down into steps
This is called an algorithm
 Imagine you are making a cup of
tea. What steps would you take to
make it?
How code can solve problems

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1. Fill the kettle with water
2. Boil the water in the kettle
3. Put the teabag in the cup
4. Pour boiled water into the cup
5. Add milk to the cup
6. Remove the tea bag
7. Add sugar to the cup
8. Stir the tea
 How does that compare to how
you would make a cup of tea?
How code can solve problems

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Planning before coding is important.
Consider:
 What ingredients go into a cup of
tea?
 Which ingredients or methods
might vary depending on who is
drinking the tea?
 What steps in the process may
seem relevant but don’t really
matter in terms of the output?
Understanding the problem

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In a computer program instructions are
carried out in order.
This is called sequencing.
An example of this in the real world is your
morning routine
What sequence or order might you carry
these out in the morning?
Three key programming concepts: Sequencing

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• Selection is where the program
asks questions to decide which
path to take next
• Let’s go back to making a cup of
tea – what questions might be
asked to make the perfect
cuppa?
Three key programming concepts: Selection

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A variable is used to store information
It is used for calculations, for storing
values for later use, in decisions and
in iteration.
Variables

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• Iteration is doing the same thing more than once, sometimes called a loop.
• Loops can be:
condition controlled
 For example, you would keep
adding sugar to a cup of tea
until the tea was sweet enough
count controlled
• For example, you would add two
teaspoons of sugar into the cup
of tea and then stop.
Three key programming concepts: Iteration

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Programming Languages
Have you heard about any of the programming languages?

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 Formal languages used to write instructions that
computers can execute.
 Means of communication between humans and
computers.
 Enabling programmers to develop software and
applications.
 Each programming language has its own syntax,
semantics, and rules for writing code.
 Tailored to specific programming paradigms and
problem-solving approaches.
Programming Languages

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 The field of coding is always changing to keep
up with new technology.
 Some prioritise simplicity and ease of use,
while others performance and low-level
control.
 This diversity caters to different developer
preferences and project requirements.
 They are designed to solve different types of
problems or cater to different domains.
Why there are so many programming languages?

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 High-level languages:
 These languages are closer to human
language and are designed to be
easier for programmers to understand
and write.
 Examples include Python, Java, and
JavaScript.
 Low-level languages:
 These languages are closer to machine
code and provide more direct control
over hardware resources.
 Examples include Assembly language.
High-level vs. Low-level

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Source: Alimam, M. (2023) 8 Difference between Assembly Language and Machine Language

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 Python - web development, data analysis,
artificial intelligence, automation, scripting.
 Java - building enterprise-scale applications,
Android mobile apps, and web services.
 C++ - system programming, game development,
performance-critical applications, and robotics.
 SQL - managing and querying relational
databases.
 R - statistical computing, data analysis, data
visualisation.
Some Commonly Used Languages and Their Applications

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 HTML:
 Structure web pages with elements like <header>.
 Add text, images, videos, links, forms, and tables for
content.
 CSS:
 Style HTML elements with properties like colours,
fonts, and margins.
 Create responsive layouts for various screen sizes.
 Enhance user experience with animations and
transitions.
 JavaScript:
 Add interactivity with event handling (e.g., clicks,
mouse movements).
The Building Blocks of Web Development

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 Computers have transformed, becoming smaller,
faster, and cheaper, and now ubiquitous in
smartphones and household items.
 Code is vital for creating our daily tech, from
communication tools to smart devices.
 Code silently powers our daily routines, ensuring
seamless technology functionality.
How code powers our daily lives?

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 Efficiency: code automates tasks, saving time and
reducing manual effort, leading to increased productivity.
 Accuracy: automated processes ensure consistent and
reliable results, especially in critical areas like data
analysis.
 Scalability: code enables easy adjustment of tasks to
meet changing demands without manual intervention.
 Flexibility: processes can be tailored to specific needs,
offering greater adaptability and responsiveness to
evolving requirements.
Some of the Benefits

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When testing out a language, we start
with a “Hello World” program
• Go to Trinket.io using this link:
https://trinket.io/python/8599e70
75e
• On Line 2, type:
print (“Hello World!”)
• Press the button to run your
program
Let’s get coding…

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• What is the variable in this
program?
• What do you think will happen
when you run it?
Try it out:
https://trinket.io/python/aa68c02a8f

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Now you are going to:
• name your own variable
• ask a question and store the
answer as a variable
• output a string containing the
variable
Try it out:
https://trinket.io/python/7b65ad1b11
Use + to join
a string and a
variable
together
/
Variable must be lower case
and one word (or use _)
When asking a
question, add a
space in the
string after ?

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• This program uses selection to allow a program to branch in a different
direction.
• If the end user answers “green”, what will happen?
Try it out:
https://trinket.io/python/cb87c6bf16

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• What is the difference between these uses of the equals sign?
• Do you notice anything about the alignment of the code?
• This is called the syntax
• Learning to code is just like learning any other language and there are
rules to follow!

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 Web Development
 Data Science
 Software Engineering
 Game Development
 Cybersecurity
Applications and Job Opportunities

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• Codecademy
A range of coding foundation courses for beginners upwards available for
free.
• Code First Girls
Free, part-time coding courses for female and non-binary identifying young
individuals across the UK and Ireland.
• Raspberry Pi Foundation projects
Step-by-step instructions to support coding for kids, teenagers and young
adults of all ages and skill level
• LinkedIn Learning: Programming Fundamentals
Explore the core concepts and structure of programming languages in this
LinkedIn Learning course.
Resources

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- Enter the Three things I learned challenge. Submit a graphic or video by 7th April, to share three things you
learned during Digital Skills Week, and be entered into the prize draw to win a pair of Bluetooth headphones.
Details on the Digital Skills Week website –go.herts.ac.uk/dsw.
- Session recordings and materials will be shared on the Digital Skills Week Canvas site. You will be sent an email
to let you know when this is live.
- You will be sent an email to ask for your feedback about Digital Skills Week. Please do share your thoughts and
ideas to enable us to deliver events and activities that are relevant to you.
- Continue your learning on the Digital Skills Week resources page and/or complete the Jisc Digital Discovery tool at
go.herts.ac.uk/dsw and ask.herts.ac.uk/digital-skills.
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Hello World - Introduction to coding.pptx

Hello World - Introduction to coding.pptx

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