Unit 1

Basics of Computer Programming

How to plan a program before coding it: algorithms, flowcharts and pseudocode, tracing with trace tables, designing tests and using an IDE to run and debug code.

What you will learn

After this unit you can:

Define an algorithm and list its properties
Design algorithms using sequence, selection and iteration
Draw flowcharts using standard symbols
Write pseudocode with consistent conventions
Trace an algorithm with a trace table
Design test cases
Install and use an IDE to write, run and debug a simple program

Topics in this unit

1.1Algorithms✓1.1.1What is an algorithm?✓1.1.2Building blocks and problem solving1 diagram✓1.1.3Worked examples✓1.1.4Self-check and practice✓1.2Flowcharts✓1.2.1Symbols and rules1 diagram · interactive lab✓1.2.2Worked examples2 diagrams✓1.2.3Self-check and practice✓1.3Pseudocode✓1.3.1Conventions, and when to use pseudocode✓1.3.2Worked examples5 code examples✓1.3.3Self-check and practice✓1.4Tracing, Testing and Using an IDE✓1.4.1Trace tablesinteractive lab✓1.4.2Errors and test cases2 diagrams · interactive lab✓1.4.3Using an IDE1 code example · 1 diagram✓1.4.4Self-check and practice✓