First few lectures
Summarized notes for the CSC1015F course at UCT. Notes are a summary of lectures, course material & textbook.
I achieved a 90% for this course, with these notes.
Introduction to computing
Importance of computing:
- Forecasting natural disasters
- Computer Aided Tomography scans
- Finding and distributing information (internet)
- Entertainment (games, instant messaging)
- E-commerce (online shopping)
What is Computer Science?
The study of
- Computer software
- Algorithms, abstraction & efficiency
- Theoretical foundations for computation
Problem solving
1. Understand the problem
2. Plan – how to solve the problem
3. Carry out the plan – write the program
4. Assess result
5. Describe what you have learnt
6. Document the solution
Algorithms
Algorithm: set of steps to accomplish a task
Must be precise so that they:
- Are repeatable
- Have a predictable outcome
- Can be executed by different people
Elements of an algorithm:
- Sequence – each step is followed by another step
- Selection – a choice may be made among other alternatives
- Iteration – a set of steps may be repeatecd
Programming process
- Input – get information from the real world
, - Process – process the data internally
- Output – send the computed data back to the real world
Python Basics
Definitions
Program: set of instructions given to a computer, corresponding to an algorithm to
solve a problem
Programming: the act of writing a program
Integrated Development Environment (IDE): graphical interface with menus and
windows
Literals: actual data values written into a program
Function: block of code
Syntax
- Every statement starts on a new line (generally)
- Statements are case sensitive (ie: STUFF vs stuff)
Comments
- Everything after a # is a comment (ie: for humans)
- Brief description: author & date at top of program
- Purpose of each function (if more than one function)
- Short explanation of non-obvious part of code
Syntax Errors
Syntax error when the program does not conform to the structure required
Program will not run if there is a syntax error
Examples of syntax errors:
- print spelt incorrectly
Logic errors
Logic errors when the program runs but does not work as expected
You must test your program to make sure there are no logic errors
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