Week 1 Introduction to Computer Science and Object-Oriented Programming COMP 111 George Basham

Week 1 Topics What is Programming? The Anatomy of a Computer Translating Human-Readable Programs to Machine Code The Java Programming Language Becoming Familiar with Your Computer Compiling a Simple Program Errors The Compilation Process

1.1.1 What is Programming? A computer must be programmed to perform tasks. Different tasks require different programs. A computer executes a sequence of very basic operations in rapid succession A program can balance a checkbook; process words; play a game A sophisticated program is composed of extremely primitive operations

1.1.1 What is Programming Cont. A typical primitive operation may be: –Put a red dot onto this screen position –Send the letter A to the printer –Get a number from this location in memory –Add up two numbers –If this value is negative, continue the program at that instruction The creation of a sophisticated program may require a team of many highly skilled programmers, graphic artists, and other professionals

1.1.2 The Anatomy of a Computer At the heart of a computer lies the central processing unit (CPU). It consists of a single chip (integrated circuit) or a small number of chips. The computer keeps data and programs in storage. There are two kinds of storage. Primary storage, also called random-access memory (RAM) or simply memory, is fast and expensive and is made from memory chips. It loses all its data when the power is turned off.

1.1.2 The Anatomy of a Computer Cont. Secondary storage, usually a hard disk, provides less expensive storage and persists without electricity. Some computers are self-contained units, whereas others are interconnected through networks. Home computers are usually connected to the internet via a dialup or broadband connection. Most computers have removable storage devices that can access data or programs such as floppy disks, flash drives, tapes or compact discs (CDs)

1.1.2 The Anatomy of a Computer Cont. The CPU, the RAM and the electronics controlling the hard disk and other devices are interconnected through a set of electrical lines called a bus A motherboard contains the CPU, the RAM and connectors to peripheral devices (monitor, speakers, printer, mouse, keyboard, etc.) The CPU reads machine instructions from memory which direct it to communicate with memory, secondary storage and peripheral devices

1.1.3 Translating Human-Readable Programs to Machine Code A CPU executes machine instructions Machine instructions are very simple, are encoded as numbers and stored in memory, and can be executed very quickly Because machine instructions are encoded as numbers, it is difficult to write programs in machine code High-level programming languages such as Java allow you to describe tasks at a higher conceptual level than machine code

1.1.3 Translating Human-Readable Programs to Machine Code Cont. These machine instructions: –Load the contents of memory location 40 –Load the value 100 –If the first value is greater than the second value, continue with the instructions that is stored in memory location 240 might be encoded something like this:

1.1.3 Translating Human-Readable Programs to Machine Code Cont. This Java code (high-level instructions): if (intRate > 100) System.out.println(“Interest rate error”); might be compiled and translated into A compiler is a sophisticated program that translates programs written in a high-level language into machine code

1.1.4 The Java Programming Language Java was originally designed for programming consumer devices, but it was first successfully used to write internet applets Java was designed to be safe and portable, benefiting both internet users and students Java has a very large library There are packages in the Java library for graphics, user interface design, cryptography, networking, sound, database storage, and many other purposes.

1.1.4 The Java Programming Language Cont. Even expert Java programmers cannot hope to know the contents of all of the packages Focus on learning those parts of the library that you need for your programming projects Although you will learn a good deal about the Java language and the most important library packages, keep in mind that the central goal of this course is not to make you memorize Java minutiae, but to teach you how to think about programming.

1.1.5 Becoming Familiar with Your Computer Learn how to log in Learn how to use a Java Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Understand how to work with files and file folders (directories) Begin by writing a simple Java program Save your work frequently and make back- up copies of your important files

1.1.6 Compiling a Simple Program File HelloTester.java: public class HelloTester { public static void main(String[] args) { // Display a greeting to the console window System.out.println(“Hello World!”); } Output: Hello, World!

1.1.6 Compiling a Simple Program Cont. Java is case sensitive. You must be careful about distinguishing between upper and lowercase letters. Lay out your programs so that they are easy to read Classes are the fundamental building blocks of Java programs Almost every Java application contains a class with a main method. When the application starts, the instructions in the main method are executed.

1.1.6 Compiling a Simple Program Cont. Each class contains definitions of methods Each method contains a sequence of instructions Use comments to help human readers understand your program A method is called by specifying an object, the method name, and the method parameters A string is a sequence of characters enclosed in quotation marks

1.1.6 Compiling a Simple Program Cont. Calling a Method: System.out.println(“Hello, World!”); Object MethodParameters

1.1.7 Errors A syntax error is a violation of the rules of the programming language. The compiler detects syntax errors. System.ouch.println(“Hello, World!”); A logic error causes a program to take an action that the programmer did not intend. You must test your programs to find logic errors. System.out.println(“Hello, Word!”);

1.1.8 The Compilation Process You use an editor to write your Java program statements When you save your program statements, it becomes source code and will have a.java extension, for example HelloTester.java A successful compile of your source code will create virtual machine instructions called class files and will have a.class extension, for example HelloTester.class

1.1.8 The Compilation Process Cont. From Source Code to Running Program Editor Source File Compiler Class files and Library files Virtual Machine Running Program

Reference: Big Java 2 nd Edition by Cay Horstmann What is Programming? (section 1.1 in Big Java) The Anatomy of a Computer (section 1.2 in Big Java) Translating Human-Readable Programs to Machine Code (section 1.3 in Big Java) The Java Programming Language (section 1.4 in Big Java) Becoming Familiar with Your Computer (section 1.5 in Big Java) Compiling a Simple Program (section 1.6 in Big Java) Errors (section 1.7 in Big Java) The Compilation Process (section 1.8 in Big Java) PC Block Diagram from: pagers.com/computer/pc-block-diagram.htm