1. Dr. Tami Meredith tami.meredith@live.com

2.  Assignments, labs, and all other assigned work are exercises in PROBLEM SOLVING  What is problem solving? a. Using available resources b. Within provided limitations c. To accomplish a goal d. That satisfies all requirements

3. "You can't get to Spuzzum if you don't know where Spuzzum is."  It is (almost) impossible to achieve a goal if:  The goal is unknown  The goal is ill-defined  You don't know when you've achieved it

4.  What do we have to work with?  Tools, techniques, data  What are the constraints and limitations we must work with?  Requirements, time allowed  What does the solution look like?  How do we know our solution is:  Correct – it does the job  Complete – it does all the job  Concise – it doesn't do things it shouldn't

5. Do not go to the lab and just start typing, This is the surest way to a C, D, or F  1. READ the task description 2. UNDERSTAND what you are supposed to do 3. THINK and figure out how to do it 4. DESIGN a solution that should work 5. Implement (Type) the solution 6. TEST & EVALUATE 7. IMPROVE your solution

6.  Good writers have :  Outlines, plot summaries, character descriptions  Good computer users have:  Plans, notes, outlines  Just because there is a computer in front of you, there is no need to instantly start banging away (often without direction) on the keyboard  The computer doesn’t get lonely if you don’t use it right away, it won’t rust, it won’t cry or be sad... I promise! Think first, Type later!

7. 1. Identify the problem – Figure out what we need to do 2. Determine the data and tools we have and will need 3. Select/design methods/tools that manipulate the data in a manner that is useful 4. Use the tools and apply the methods to the data 5. Evaluate the results – Did we solve the problem? 6. If they are not correct, figure out why, fix, and repeat as often as necessary

8.  We need to translate the solution to some problem into a format that a computer can use  Any trained monkey can type on a keyboard! – well, almost...  We are not going to focus on the applications  We are going to focus on solving problems, designing solutions, implementing the solution, and testing/evaluating solutions “First to the keyboard = Last to finish!”

9.  All of computing requires the management of tradeoffs:  Technique: Complexity, clarity, simplicity  Performance: Efficiency, speed  Quality: Correctness, completeness, conciseness  Usability: Easy, Accurate There is no correct balance or solution! Finding the right mix of elements is an art form

10.  Computer users are like: Musicians, Athletes, Artists  We can all: play an instrument, throw a ball, or paint a picture  But... Not all of us will be good at it!