Social networking tools (powerpoint extract)

Last time (1/26) We talked about Chapter 0 (algorithms) Recall our definition of an algorithm A set of steps that defines how a task is performed Let’s look at an algorithm for processing the social tools survey results…

An algorithm for processing the survey Goal – summarize this information What would you do? Let’s create an algorithm for writing a computer program to do this…

Creating an algorithm… Identify the goal Identify the inputs Identify the outputs What are the inputs? What are the outputs? Challenge Computers are precise! Chapter 1 - 1s and 0s… Humans can be (very) imprecise, unique, creative, helpful, mercenary

Examining the input more closely Extra information… “Response 1” “Response 2” Clutters up the info visually, but it also makes it hard for a computer program to process this data, too Solutions?

Refining the input Slimmed down easier to work with input due to preprocessing outside the scope of the computer algorithm Still not good enough!

Refining the input Standardize, common format Now what?

Deciding on the outputs Sample output using semi-accurate data Problems? different terms for same thing people like pictures better than numbers Goal output response grouping together as much as possible in format we can import into Excel to make bar graph

Almost there … the algorithm in pictures Again, I ask, what would you do? How would you manually tabulate the numbers?

The algorithm Do the following for each term in the input: Check to see if the term is already in the list. If so, then add 1 to the count If the term isn’t already there, add the term to the list and set the count equal to 1 Output the list of terms along with their counts (comma-separated)

Now what? It’s time to implement the algorithm In other words, it’s time to do some programming Decide on a programming language JavaScript

Run the program

Survey results – types of tools

Survey results – what groups? Churches, church groups On-campus groups (frat/sorority/stepsing) Sports teams Friends Samford friends Friends back home Church friends Facebook friends Classmates Coworkers TRADITIONAL

Survey results – what groups? Facebook friends Facebook groups Facebook networks Xbox live Online / Electronic Facebook networks?

Survey tools – how do you communicate? Same as bar graph + in-person*** texting* posters “gin system”?

Survey tools – discussion cell phone i text people more now then i actually talk to them in person communicate with friends whenever I want contact with my friends around the world via skype

Chapter 0, review cont’d developing an algorithm for processing the social tools survey … in words determine the goal determine the input determine the output determine the steps to transform the input into the desired output start at the beginning and add each term to a list of terms, or increment a counter if the term is already there … more formally on the next slide

The algorithm Do the following for each term in the input: Check to see if the term is already in the list. If so, then add 1 to the count If the term isn’t already there, add the term to the list and set the count equal to 1 Output the list of terms along with their counts (comma-separated)

The entire algorithm in pictures 1 2 3 5 6 4