Intro to Computer

UNIT 1
PROGRAMMING PROCESS

CONTENTS
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0

Introduction
Objectives
Main Content
Summary
Evaluation/Assessment
References/Further
Readings

1.0

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to computer programming! You are about to discover an interesting and exciting world – a world of computer programming.
In this unit, we introduce you to the concepts of basic computer programming . You will study the terms and concepts used in computer programming. We will then describe the five steps in computer programming.

2.0

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Understand the programming process
2. Define computer programming, program, programmer, and programming language
3. List and describe the steps involved in the programming process

3.0

MAIN CONTENT

3.1

Introducing Programming Concepts

How do you prepare on programming a computer? Are you going to create a simple calculator? a document editing application? a multi-functional interactive game? something else? Whatever your plans, the road ahead is an interesting one. Computer programming is a challenging and rewarding discipline.
Computer programming is defined as telling a computer what to do through a special set of instructions which are then interpreted by the computer to perform some task(s). Programming is the process of creating programs. It is the process of providing specific instructions that tells the computer what to do. Programmer is the one who is involved in the creation of computer programs.
Computer Program is a series of instructions that tell a computer how to carry out processing tasks. These instructions can be specified in one or more programming languages including Java, C, and C++. Programming Language/Computer Language is an artificial language used to write a sequence of instructions (program) that can be run by a computer.
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A computer goes through a set of steps whose purpose is to achieve something.
These steps are instructed to the computer by computer programs. Essential ly, computer programming is the process by which these programs are designed and implemented.
There are many advantages to learning computer programming such as gaining new skills, being able to tell the computer what to do, and becoming better familiar with computers. Whether you are a computer hobbyist, a student, an IT professional, or ar e just curious about programming, learning how to program a computer will be highly beneficial.

3.1

Understanding the Programming Process

A programmer’s job involves writing instructions, but a professional programmer usually does not just sit down at a computer keyboard and start typing. The programmer’s job can be broken down into five programming steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Define/understand the problem
Plan/design the logic
Code the program
Compile, debug, and test the program
Document the program

The process goes in cycles. You start with understanding the problem, design, and try to write code to implement that design. As you write the code you may come across problems that send you back to the design stage. Once you have code written you try to compile it. If there are errors or other problems you go back to editing the source code and eventually try again. If your code compiles you try to link it. If that doesn't work you usually have to go back to editing the source code again.
Here's a rough outline of what happens at each step.
1. Define/understand the problem – reading the requirements carefully, clarifying the exact purpose of the output, and identifying & analyzing the input, process, & output.
Consider the following:
a. Know the boundaries of the problem
b. Know the constraints on the solution
c. Know what actions are allowed

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Really understanding the problem may be one of the most difficult aspects of programming. Programmers must first understand what it is the users wants and needs. 2. Plan/design the logic – breaking the problem into discrete steps known as algorithm; planning the steps of the program, deciding what steps to include and how to order them. Consider the following:
a. Organize thoughts to develop detailed algorithm
b. Use tools such as: outlining, flowcharting, and pseudocode
The heart of the programming process lies in planning and designing the program’s logic. The programmer doesn’t worry about the syntax of any particular language at this point, just about figuring out what sequence of events will lead from the available input to the desired output.
Tools in designing the program logic:


Structure chart/Hierarchy chart – shows the functional flow through the program; shows how we are going to break the program into logical steps; shows the interaction between all the parts



Pseudocode – part English, part program syntax; requires defining the steps to accomplish the task in sufficient detail so that they can be converted into a computer program



Flowchart – uses standard graphical symbols that represent the logical flow of data

3. Code the program – writing or encoding the program in a specific programming language. Consider the following:
a. Carry out the steps in the algorithm
b. Translate the problem into a programming language understandable by the device to be used.
The logic developed to solve a programming problem can be executed using any number of programming languages. Programmers choose a particular language
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because some languages have built-in capabilities that make them more efficient than others at handling certain types of operations.
4. Compile, debug, and test the program
Compiling – translating the English-like commands into machine language
Debugging – tracing or detecting the errors
Testing – very tedious and time-consuming process; running the program & inputting data to be sure that the program will give the correct output
Typically, a programmer develops a program’s logic, writes the code, and then compiles the program, receiving a list of syntax errors. The programmer then corrects the syntax errors, and compiles the program again until no more errors are found. But a program that is free of syntax errors is necessary free of logical errors. Programs should be tested with many sets of data.
Consider the following:
a. Did the solution yield appropriate results?
b. Can the solution be improved?
5. Document the program – refers to all the supporting material that goes with a program. Two broad categories of documentation are the documentation intended for users and the documentation intended for programmers.
It may consist of the following: written descriptions and explanations of program, name of the programmer(s), and software & hardware requirements.

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4.0

SUMMARY



A programmer’s job involves understanding the problem, planning the logic, coding the program, translating the program into machine language, testing the program, and putting the program into documentation.



When programmers plan the logic for a solution to a programming problem, they often use flowcharts or pseudocode.

Key Terms
Computer Programming – the process of creating programs; the process of providing specific instructions that tells the computer what to do.
Computer Program – a series of instructions that tell a computer how to carry out processing tasks.
Programming Language/Computer Language – an artificial language used to write a sequence of instructions (program) that can be run by a computer.
Programmer – the person who is involved in the creation of computer programs.

5.0

EVALUATION
Answer the following questions:
1. What is a computer program?

2. Define programming.

3. What is a hierarchy chart?

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4. Differentiate flowchart from pseudocode.

5. In your own word, describe the steps in creating a computer program.

6.0

REFERENCES/FURTHER READINGS

Anderson, Greg, Roth Jr., Charles, Farrell, Joyce, Computer Fundamentals and Logic
Formulation, Thomson Asian Edition, 2008
Forouzan, Behrouz A., Gilberg, Richard F, Computer Science: A Structured Programming
Approach Using C, Thomson Course Technology, 2007
Farrell, Joyce, Programming Logic and Design Comprehensive 3rd Ed., 2006

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