An Introduction to Computer Programming Anna Bretscher Welcome to CSCA20 An Introduction to Computer Programming Anna Bretscher

Why Study Computer Science? Computers provide tools to simplify processes Computers allow for analysis that is otherwise impossible Computer science can be applied to many problems in the sciences, business, arts, humanities… Computers don’t always do what we think they are doing, better to understand when this happens!

Course Goals To learn most Python instructions. To be able to write programs that solve scientific (or other) problems. To understand what computer scientists do. To acquire an appreciation of how computer science applies to other areas of research.

Intended for students with no programming experience. CSCA20 - Content Intended for students with no programming experience. Introduction to algorithms programming using Python Data analysis and plotting Database design Pic from messymind.net

CSCA20 - Course Work Textbook – ebook or hardcopy Labs (10%) “Practical Programming 2nd Edition” by Campbell, Gries, Lockwood, Montojo and Wilson http://pragprog.com/book/gwpy2/practical-programming Labs (10%) 2 hour labs every week, starting in week 2. Assignments (40%) 4 assignments - 10% each

CSCA20 - Tests Quizzes (15%) Final (35%) Quizzes in weeks 4, 7 and 11 during lab time. Think of quizzes as practice for the final. Final (35%) You need to score at least 40% to pass the Course.

Labs 2 hour labs every week starting in week 2. You earn 1% per lab attended up to 10%. This means you may miss one lab. These are the “tutorials” on ROSI Labs are your new best friend. This is where you will learn the most!

Assignments Posted on the website. Submitted electronically. First assignment very short and easy – an easy way to earn 10%. 2nd, 3rd and 4th assignments progressively more challenging.

Where do I get HELP!! Labs Ask your TA questions. Your labs are also like office hours!! Office Hours M 11:00 - 11:45, W 11:30 – 1:00, F 12:10 - 1:00 Come visit me, I want to get to know you. Online Tutorial http://interactivepython.org/courselib/static/thinkcspy/index.html Email Me bretscher@utsc.utoronto.ca Include a relevant subject (e.g., CSCA20 - A1 question 2). Sign your name.

Week 1 - To Do List See the “Resource” page on the website Read the course information sheet and check out the website. Order/download the text and read chapters 1 and 2 Install Python and Wing 101 (if working at home) See the “Resource” page on the website

Computer Science Is about problem solving and writing algorithms. ALGORITHM (WEBSTER’S). A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing some end especially by a computer

Lets Practice Algorithms Give the smiley face instructions to get to the star. Use Forward, Right, Left. F x 2, R F x 2, L F x 7, R F, L F, R F x 3, R F

Let Practice Algorithms – Take 2 F x 9, R F x 7, R F x 5, R F x 3, R F

Let Practice Algorithms – Take 2 F x 9, R F x 7, R F x 5, R F x 3, R F F x 9, R steps  9 (F x steps, R) x 2 steps  7 steps  5 steps  3 F

Algorithms – Take 2 Now you are thinking like a computer scientist! F x 9, R steps  9 (F x steps, R) x 2 steps  7 steps  5 steps  3 F F x 9, R steps  9 (F x steps, R) x 2 steps  steps - 2 F F x 9, R steps  9 while steps > 2 repeat: (F x steps, R) x 2 steps  steps - 2 F Now you are thinking like a computer scientist!

Python Python is the language we will use to write our algorithms. We use Wing 101: a free environment and editor for coding in Python.