Computer Science Fundamentals using C

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Questions and Answers

Write a C program to count the number of digits in an integer.

The program should prompt the user to enter a number, read the number, and then use a while loop to divide the number by 10 until it becomes 0, incrementing a counter variable with each division. Finally, the program should print the count of digits.

Explain the algorithm for calculating the summation of the first 'n' natural numbers.

The algorithm involves initializing 'i' to 1 and 'SUM' to 0. Then, it repeatedly adds 'i' to 'SUM' while incrementing 'i' by 1 until 'i' is equal to 'n'. Finally, it displays the value of 'SUM' as the sum of the first 'n' natural numbers.

Write a C program to calculate the summation of a set of numbers.

The program should prompt the user to enter a positive number, read the number, and then use a for loop starting from 1 up to the entered number to calculate the sum of all numbers. Finally, it should display the total sum.

What is the purpose of a programming language?

To describe computations in a linguistic framework Signup and view all the answers

Define the term 'Machine Language'.

Machine language involves instructions written in binary code (0s and 1s) that are directly executed by the CPU. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of System Software?

Providing an interface between user and computer hardware Signup and view all the answers

Assembly language is a human-readable notation for machine language.

True Signup and view all the answers

______ refer to renewing or changing components like increasing memory or hard disk capacity.

Upgrades Signup and view all the answers

How many steps are involved in solving a problem?

7 Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in solving a problem?

Identify the Problem Signup and view all the answers

Understanding a problem involves knowing the knowledge base, understanding the subject, and communicating with the client.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which component retains the information it's storing when the power to the system is turned off?

ROM Signup and view all the answers

______ is a language made up of binary-coded instructions.

Machine Signup and view all the answers

What type of program reads each instruction in mnemonic form and translates it into machine-language?

Assembler Signup and view all the answers

Which category does Prolog fall under?

Logic Programming Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a characteristic of High-level languages?

machine code Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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Description

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