Computer Science Fundamentals using C

Programming Fundamentals using C

Course Objectives

• Introduce concepts like datatypes, functions, and memory management
• Teach how to develop a console-based application
• Model problems using algorithms and flowcharts

Course Contents

• Unit-1: Computer Problem-Solving, Fundamental Algorithms, and Basics of C Programming
• Unit-2: Operators, Expressions, and Structured Constructs
• Unit-3: Arrays, Library, and User-Defined Functions
• Unit-4: User-Defined Data Types, Pointers, and Files

Learning Resources

• Textbooks: "How to Solve it by Computer" by R.F. Dromey, "Programming In ANSI C" by E.Balaguruswamy
• Reference Books: "Programming with C" by Byron S Gottfried, "Let Us C" by Yashwant Kanetkar, "Computer Concepts and C Programming" by Anami, Angadi, and Manvi

Course Outcomes

• Formulate algorithms and flowcharts to solve logical and mathematical problems
• Decompose a problem into functions and synthesize them into a program
• Use arrays and structures to represent various types of data
• Perform memory management and file handling operations

Computer Basics

• Instruction: A single operation of a processor defined by the processor instruction set
• Program: A sequence of instructions to perform a task
• Software: A set of programs, procedures, and routines associated with the operation of a computer system
• Classification of Software:
  • System Software: Supports and manages computer resources and operations
  • Application Software: Designed to solve a specific problem or perform a specific task

Types of Programming Languages

• Machine Language: Directly executed by CPU, written in binary code
• Assembly Language: Human-readable notation for machine language, translated into machine language by an assembler
• Third-Generation Languages: Procedural languages, translated into machine language by a compiler or interpreter
• Fourth-Generation Languages: Non-procedural languages, enables users to access data in a database
• Fifth-Generation Languages: Visual programming languages, provides a visual or graphical interface

Problem Solving Process

• Problem Definition: State the problem clearly and unambiguously
• Problem Analysis: Identify inputs, outputs, and special constraints
• Problem Design: Develop a step-by-step procedure to solve the problem using algorithms and flowcharts
• Computer Solution: Write the program, test, and debug
• Maintenance: Update and correct the program for changed conditions and field experience

Types of Errors

• Syntax Errors: Errors in writing C/C++ syntax, detected by the compiler

• Run-time Errors: Errors that occur during program execution, hard to find

• Linker Errors: Errors generated when the executable of the program cannot be generated

• Logical Errors: Errors that provide incorrect output, easy to detect if following the line of execution

• Semantic Errors: Errors that occur when the statements written in the program are not meaningful to the compiler### Types of Memory

• ROM (Read-Only Memory) retains information even when the power to the system is turned off.

Programming Languages

• Machine language is made up of binary coded instructions.
• An assembler is a program that reads each of the instructions in mnemonic form and translates it into machine-language equivalent.

Prolog

• Prolog comes under Logic Programming.

Characteristics of High-Level Languages

• High-level languages are platform-independent, interactive, and user-friendly, but do not use machine code.

Algorithms

• The word "Algorithm" is derived from the 9th-century mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi.
• An algorithm is a sequence of unambiguous instructions for solving a problem, i.e., for obtaining a required output for any legitimate input in a finite amount of time.
• A real-life example of an algorithm is cooking a recipe.

Characteristics of Algorithms

• Unambiguous: clear and unambiguous, with each step leading to only one meaning.
• Input: should have 0 or more well-defined inputs.
• Output: should have 1 or more well-defined outputs, matching the desired output.
• Finiteness: must terminate after a finite number of steps.
• Feasibility: should be feasible with the available resources.
• Independent: should have step-by-step directions, independent of any programming code.

Examples of Algorithms

• Algorithm to add two numbers entered by the user:
  • Declare variables num1, num2, and sum.
  • Read values num1 and num2.
  • Add num1 and num2 and assign the result to sum.
• Algorithm to count the number of digits of an integer:
  • Read the value of n.
  • Initialize count to 0.
  • Divide n by 10 until n is 0 or not equal to 0.
  • Increment count by 1 in each iteration.
  • Print the count.
• Algorithm to find the sum of the first n natural numbers:
  • Read the value of n.
  • Initialize i to 1 and SUM to 0.
  • Iterate until i is greater than or equal to n.
  • Add i to SUM in each iteration.
  • Display the value of SUM.

This course introduces students to computer basics, problem modeling, and programming concepts using the C language. It covers datatypes, functions, and more.