TAMU Computer Science People Pages



Fundaments of Computer Science IntroductionCommon misconceptions about CSComputer science is the study of computersComputer science is the study of how to write computer programsComputer science is the study of the uses and applications of computers and softwareWhat is Computer Science?is a scientific and engineering discipline that investigates ALL aspects of computing with computing machinesFormal and mathematical propertiesHardware realizationsLinguistic realizationsApplicationsfound in many universities under EngineeringComputer Science also means:a lot of Math classesmath is an integral part of many programs createdengineeringhow to build programs from scratchengineers build things!!!electronicshave to know how the computer will interact with:monitorprinteranything external (or internal)software engineeringhow to build programsvery common in Computer Science programscould be it’s own degree!!Other areas of interest in Computer ScienceInformation systemsthe application of computing technology for organizations and businessesBioinformaticsthe application of computing technology for biological systems (DNA, genes)Network Securityinvestigates the vulnerabilities and weaknesses of computing systems and how protect themWhat do I need to be successful in CS?have to like computers!!like to problem solveComputer scientist designs and develops algorithms to solve problemsbreak complex problems into simple steps, then merge togetherAlgorithmsbuilding block of CS and programmingProcedure for solving a mathematical problem in a finite number of steps that frequently involves repetition of an operation A step-by-step method for accomplishing a taskAn ordered sequence of instructions that is guaranteed to solve a specific problemCategories of operations used to construct algorithmsSame AlgorithmSTEP 1: Do something.STEP 2: Do something.STEP 3: Do something. . . . . . .STEP N: Stop. You are finished.Sequential operationsCarry out a single well-defined task; when that task is finished, the algorithm moves on to the next operationExampleAdd 1 cup of butter to the mixture in the bowlSubtract the amount of the check from the current account balanceSet the value of x to 1Conditional operationsAsk a question and then select the next operation to be executed on the basis of the answer to that questionExamplesIf the mixture is too dry, then add one-half cup of water to the bowlIf the amount of the check is less than or equal to the current account balance, then cash the check; otherwise, tell the person that the account is overdrawnIf x is not equal to 0, then set y equal to 1/x; otherwise, print an error message that says we cannot divide by 0Iterative operationsTell us to go back and repeat the execution of a previous block of instructionsExamplesRepeat the previous two operations until the mixture has thickenedWhile there are still more checks to be processed, do the following five stepsRepeat steps 1, 2, and 3 until the value of y is equal to 11Computing agentThe machine, robot, person, or thing carrying out the steps of the algorithmDoes not need to understand the concepts or ideas underlying the solutionCS different than Information technology (IT)?CS is building programs (applications) to interact with hardware within/outside the computer Information Technology is the more about the study of the use of computers to solve human/business problems. You study some programming, databases, applications, etc.Concepts in Computer ScienceStuff you will learn in this class (so all are an FYI)Computer HardwareProgrammingSoftware Development CycleComplexity and Algorithm AnalysisSoftware EngineeringBoolean AlgebraLogic GatesHardware DesignCacheLanguage TranslationParallel ProcessingModels of ComputationArtificial IntelligenceNetworkingInternetData StructuresSecurityComputer Careersto find latest numbers use websiteBureau of Labor and Statisticstracks employment trends and numbers In search, type “Computer Programmers”Find the:Nature of WorkOutlookOutsourcing means what?? Defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, etc… cannot outsource, why?? also, look at your local newspaper for jobsI looked for “Java Developer” in Washington Post (Washington D.C.)notice the number of listings!!!Look up jobs in your home town!!! We’ll share!!Look for:SalaryExperienceDegreeCertificationsLocationSalaryExperienceDegreeCertificationSeattle, WAHouston, TXDallas, TXKansas CityChicago, ILMadison, WIBismarck, NDRaleigh, NCCharleston, WVMobile, ALJacksonville, FLMiami, FLSalt Lake City, UTFlagstaff, AZMan vs. Machine Trade offsitems to consider whether a computer is better than a human when creating a project/programcost (equipment, salary, health care)Speed (which would be faster to complete a job)judgment (which could make a better decision)project/program completion time (will it take a lot of time, or impossible to program?)maintenance (which will require more money or time to maintain?)reliabilityWhich do you think would be better? Computer or Human? Why?ComputerHuman Why??ChessSoldierBerry pickerToll CollectorAutomakerEvolution of the ComputerWhy have me talk about it!! Let’s Watch!!Videos Early Period: Up to 19403,000 years ago: Mathematics, logic, and numerical computationImportant contributions made by the Greeks, Egyptians, Babylonians, Indians, Chinese, and Persians1614: LogarithmsInvented by John Napier to simplify difficult mathematical computationsAround 1622: First slide rule created1672: The PascalineDesigned and built by Blaise PascalOne of the first mechanical calculatorsCould do addition and subtractionThe Pascaline: One of the Earliest Mechanical Calculators (try me!)1674: Leibnitz’s WheelConstructed by Gottfried LeibnitzMechanical calculatorCould do addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division1801: The Jacquard loomDeveloped by Joseph JacquardAutomated loomUsed punched cards to create desired pattern1823: The Difference EngineDeveloped by Charles BabbageDid addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to 6 significant digitsSolved polynomial equations and other complex mathematical problems1830s: The Analytic EngineDesigned by Charles BabbageMore powerful and general-purpose computational machineComponents were functionally similar to the four major components of today’s computersMill (modern terminology: arithmetic/logic unit)Store (modern terminology: memory)Operator (modern terminology: processor)Output (modern terminology: input/output)1890: U.S. census carried out with programmable card processing machinesBuilt by Herman HollerithThese machines could automatically read, tally, and sort data entered on punched cardsThe Birth of Computers: 1940-1950Development of electronic, general-purpose computersDid not begin until after 1940Was fueled in large part by needs of World War IIWhat could computers help with war time scenarios?? (Come up with 5) (Slip) (don’t click yet, boring what it is!!) (in action, in a game)Early computersMark IENIACABC systemColossusZ1Photograph of the ENIAC ComputerStored program computer modelProposed by John Von Neumann in 1946Stored binary algorithm in the computer’s memory along with the dataIs known as the Von Neumann architectureModern computers remain, fundamentally, Von Neumann machinesFirst stored program computersEDVACEDSACThe Modern Era: 1950 to the PresentFirst generation of computing (1950-1959)Vacuum tubes used to store data and programsEach computer was multiple rooms in sizeComputers were not very reliable Second generation of computing (1959-1965)Transistors and magnetic cores replaced vacuum tubes Dramatic reduction in sizeComputer could fit into a single roomIncrease in reliability of computersReduced cost of computersHigh-level programming languagesThe programmer occupation was bornThird generation of computing (1965-1975)Integrated circuits rather than individual electronic components were usedFurther reduction in size and cost of computersComputers became desk-sizedFirst minicomputer developedSoftware industry formedFourth generation of computing (1975-1985)Reduced to the size of a typewriterFirst microcomputer developedDesktop and personal computers commonAppearance of Computer networksElectronic mailUser-friendly systems (graphical user interfaces)Embedded systemsThe Altair 8800, the World’s First Microcomputer generation of computing (1985-?)Massively parallel processorsHandheld devices and other types of personal digital assistants (PDAs)High-resolution graphicsPowerful multimedia user interfaces incorporating sound, voice recognition, touch, photography, video, and televisionIntegrated global telecommunications incorporating data, television, telephone, fax, the Internet, and the World Wide WebWireless data communicationsMassive storage devicesUbiquitous computingExpectations of Computer Science Studentssolve problems!break down conceptsONE THING AT A TIME!!seek help when needed!!create own work or site source if code used from someone elsemuch like a reportexpected to write proper Englishyou WILL write reports and analysis!!! ................
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