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CSC 1 Introduction to Computer Science
Week 1
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Week 1: Fundamental Concepts
What is computer science? What is in a computer (von Neumann machine architecture)? Types of computer systems. Programming basics.
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What is Computer Science?
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Computer Science Computer science studies information processes both artificial and natural [P. J. Denning]. Artificial: information processing systems and machines. Natural: information processes in: biology, medicine, psychology, cognitive and behavior sciences, sociology, economics, chemistry, meteorology, neuroscience, physics, forensics, linguistics, philosophy, ………
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E. Dijkstra Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes.
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Natural Information Processes
Biology and medicine. Computer models and algorithms to diagnose and treat disease (MRI, fMRI, CT). Computer models to track mutations of viruses. String algorithms for DNA sequencing. Economics. Computer models to forecast economic conditions. Forensics. Computer models and databases to identify evidence and discover forensic data. Psychology, cognitive and behavior sciences. Computer models are used to shed light on human brains and nervous systems.
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Natural Information Processes (2)
Linguistics. Computer based speech recognition. Machine translation. Philosophy. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and heuristic programming in knowledge representation and reasoning.
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Body of Knowledge for the Artificial [P. J. Denning]
Algorithmic processes that describe and transform information: their theory, analysis, design, efficiency, implementation, and application. Coordination and communication (Internet). Structure and operation of computer systems, principles underlying computer system design and programming, effective methods for using computers for information processing tasks, and theoretical characterizations of their properties and limitations.
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System and Application [P. J. Denning]
Systems: structures, mechanisms and schemes for processing information. Software systems Hardware systems. Application: information processing tasks and their related data representations. Numerical applications: weather forecast, global warming modeling, …… Non-numerical applications: Second Life, robotics, social networks, protein structure prediction, ……
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Subareas [P. J. Denning] Algorithms and data structures.
Programming languages. Architecture. Operating systems and networks. Software engineering. Databases and information retrieval. Artificial intelligence and robotics. Graphics. Human computer interaction. Computational science Organizational informatics. Emerging areas such as bioinformatics.
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von Neumann Machine Architecture
What is in a Computer? von Neumann Machine Architecture
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von Neumann Machine Architecture
John von Neumann,
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Salient Features Stored program.
Separation of processing from storage. Predefined instruction set. Instruction execution cycle. Shared buses. Sequential architecture. Control flow vs. data flow.
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Basic Functions of a Computer
Input Data Process Data Output Data Store Data
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Input Data Feeding information into a computer Common forms of input
Symbols – letters, words, numbers, etc. Pictures (using a camera) Sounds (using a microphone) Common forms of input Keyboard Mouse Often involves converting analog to digital How is input fed into a computer – person, environment using devices….mouse, keyboard, audio
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Process Data Analyze data, or use it in a computation.
Perform some action based on data. Generate new data, or change existing data. Processing is done in the CPU. Processing is managed by a computer program. Basic Terms: Program – a sequence of instructions (with data) to accomplish a certain task Process – a program in execution Processor (CPU) - device where a program gets executed How is input fed into a computer – person, environment using devices….mouse, keyboard, audio
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Output Data Common forms of output
Monitor Printers Speakers (music and Sound) Often involves converting digital signals to analog signals
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Store Data Save data on a device for later use.
Data is always stored in digital form. Common Forms: Memory CD ROM Hard Disk Flash Disk Magnetic tape
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Functions of a Computer
Process Data Input Data Store Data Output Data
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Functions of a Computer
Analog Digital
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Different Types of Computers
Computer Categories Different Types of Computers
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Computer Categories There used to be four categories
Personal computers Workstation computers minicomputers mainframe computers Today, computers can be categorized by function size performance cost
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Today’s Computer Categories
Personal computers Handheld computers Console Computers Mainframes Supercomputers Workstations Servers
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Personal Computers “Microcomputer” Designed for everyday users
Also known as a PC or “Personal Computer Designed for everyday users Desktop computers Notebook or netbook computers Tablet computers
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Handheld Computers Designed to be used while being held
Called a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) A few examples: Apple iPods Cell phones Palm & Handspring PDAs Blackberry
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Console Computers My game system is a computer? Examples include:
Has processors Input data from joysticks Output data (graphics and sound) Has internet connection Examples include: Microsoft XBox 360 Sony Playstation 3 Nintendo Wii
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Notebooks Similar to Personal Computers Also called a “laptop”
Hardware is different Functionality is often the same Slightly more expensive Also called a “laptop” “Netbook”: Very small Minimal functionality Intended for web access while traveling
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Mainframes & Supercomputers
Built for computing power Can calculate complex data – fast Excellent for complex simulations Used by federal research labs and large corporations (banks) Typically large – cabinet sized Expensive
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Workstation Computer Computers designed for a specific group of users (Pixar Studio). The term “workstation” has two meanings Powerful desktop models Computer on a network
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Servers A server sends data or offers services to other computers on a network typically they have lots of storage (SAN) run unattended – no users any computer can be server – although not ideal eBay, Google, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Amazon, …… A client receives data or (service) from a server Go to Riverside Hall 2011 to see some
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Programs, Coding, Engineers & More
Programming Basics Programs, Coding, Engineers & More
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Programming Languages
series of symbols & words that form a meaningful pattern This is true of natural languages such as English, Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, etc... Programming language used to write programs to be executed in computers there are many different programming languages
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Popular Programming Languages
C++ C# Java Fortran Visual Basic COBOL …………
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Algorithms A sequence of steps for carrying out a task Examples:
tying your shoes driving to Sac State making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich withdraw money at ATM Capture “the essence” in solving a problem can be implemented into a computer program using some programming language
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Procedural Programming
Traditional approach to programming Programs a sequence of instructions (statements) statements run in order – from first to last repetition is performed with “looping” decisions are described as “if – then – else”
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Graphically Representing Algorithms
Flow Charts Graphically Representing Algorithms
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Flow Chart Overview Graphical representation
each step is a shape (box, circle, …) useful for conceptualizing an algorithm easy to understand and visualize Used to document how an algorithm was designed
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Input / Output Process Data Input / Output
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Start / End Indicates the start and end of an algorithm
Represented by a rectangle with rounded sides There are typically two: one to start the flowchart one to end the flowchart
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Input / Output Indicates data being: Represented by a parallelogram
inputted into the computer outputted to the user Represented by a parallelogram Flowcharts can have many of this shape
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Processes Indicates data: Represented by a rectangle
being processed also called "calculations" Represented by a rectangle The most common shape in a flowchart
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Decisions Indicates a conditional branch Represented by a diamond
describe a condition or a question Has more than one outgoing branch, depending on the outcomes to the condition/question Represented by a diamond
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Get distance “d” d < 5 ? yes no walk drive
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Describing an Algorithm with words
Pseudocode Describing an Algorithm with words
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What is Pseudocode? Description of an algorithm's logic
simpler than spoken English looks like a program, but easier to read It is often useful to express some piece of the solution without having to worry about every detail
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Area of a Circle Pseudocode
Program: area of a circle 1.Get the value for the radius 2.Calculate the area (pi x radius2) 3.Output radius and area
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Distance program… Pseudocode (compare with flowchart)
Program: decide between walk/drive 1. Compute distance to destination 2. If distance is less than 5 then walk else drive
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