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Course Objectives

Prerequisites

Approach

Typical Text

Course Outline

Course Objectives
To teach problem analysis, algorithm design, and the elements of programming, with emphasis upon mastery of concepts, using a limited number of well-chosen language features. Although C++ is used as the programming language, the emphasis is not on learning C++, but on learning to program.

Prerequisites
None.

Approach
Substantial programming homework, but not to exceed reasonable load for a 3-hour course. Emphasis on careful problem analysis and on systematic development and testing.

Typical Text
Walter Savitsch, Problem Solving in C++

NOTE: The choice of illustrative applications is at the discretion of the instructor. No course for which COMP 110 is a prerequisite may assume that any specific algorithm or application has been taught in COMP 110.

Course Outline

Computer Culture

• Computers, algorithms, programs, programming languages
• Mechanics of using the laboratory computers
• Modes of computer use
• Limits of computing

Program Development Process


• Understanding the problem
• Design of algorithms
• Choice of data structures
• Encoding in C++
• Testing
• Debugging

Elementary Programming Concepts


• Variables, types, values, declarations
• Keyboard input and screen output
• Expressions and assignment
• Control structures
  • sequence
  • two-way selection
  • iteration
• Nesting of control structures
• One-dimensional arrays

Intermediate Programming Concepts


• Classes (as encapsulation mechanism only, no inheritance)
• Functions and Procedures
  • functions with value parameters only
  • procedures
  • local variables
  • nested calls
  • subprograms as a control structure
  • array parameters
• Selection: CASE or idioms using IF
• Reading from external TEXT files
• Two-dimensional arrays