1 CC1002NP: Problem Solving for IT Lecture for week 1

2 Course information ● To provide an understanding of how problems can be solved systematically. ● Introduce the use of common packages (spreadsheets and databases) in problem solving as well as their applicability to a range of fields.

3 Course Syllabus ● General Problem Solving Concepts ● Problem Solving using Spreadsheets ● Problem Solving using Databases

4 Module Leaders' roles ● Writes localized lecture/tutorial notes. ● Marks the coursework and examinations (lecturers/tutors might also be involved in marking). ● Serves as a lecturer for that module.

5 Your Module Lecturer/Tutor Bsc.(Hons) Computer Networking & IT Security (First Class Honors Degree) Previously worked as Data Specialist at Google Inc. Also, working as Consultant at nepalibytes.com Monil Adhikari

6 This Semester Week 1 - Module Introduction Week 2 - Introduction to Problem Solving Week 3 - Problem Solving in Computing Week 4 - Logic Structures Week 5 - Revision problems for Test Week 6 - Test Week 7 - Organizing Data in Spreadsheets Week 8 - Charts in Spreadsheets, Macros Week 9 - Worked Example: Company Budget Week 10 - Organizing Data in Databases Week 11 - Using Databases in Problem Solving: Case Study

7 Course setup ● 10 lectures(1.5 hour/lecture) ● Each lecture will be followed by a tutorial (1 hour/tutorial) and a lab (1.5 hour/lab). “Attendance is to be taken very seriously.”

8 Assessment ● Test 30%, week 6 ● Two-part coursework(MS Excel 35% & MS Access 35%), total 70%. ● There will be reassessment opportunities during the summer, however the mark will be capped to a maximum of 40%, so it is very important to take your first opportunities for assessments.

9 Assignment rules ● Individual tutorials. No exceptions. ● Given assignments are to be submitted every week. ● Missed deadlines will be dealt very severely. ● We take plagiarism very seriously so exchange ideas not solutions. Any student found copying part of a program or have someone else do it for them( friends, colleagues, relatives or hired personnel) will fail the assignment.

10 Literature: ● Problem Solving Concepts: “Problem Solving & Programming Concepts” M. Sprankle & J Hubbard Prentice Hall, 2009 ● For help with using MS Excel and Access: “Exploring Microsoft Office 2007” Grauer, R.T. et al. Prentice Hall, 2009

11 Access to Course Material ftp://fserver.islingtoncollege.edu.np/

12 Agenda(Today...) ● Introduction to the whole problem solving concept. ● Some problem solving exercises to execute.

13 Problems?

14 ● Problems – predictable and unpredictable ● People tend to be more prepared for predictable problems. ● How prepared are you for unpredictable problems? ● Your laptop stops working suddenly. What do you do? ● You sit in the exam and face a question you haven’t studied.

15 What is problem solving? ● Coming up with a solution to problem(s).

16 ● 2+5 = ? gives you a concrete solution ● How do I get to Gyaneshwor from Ratna Park? Gives you multiple solutions & may depend upon various factors (time, cost...)

17 ● Computers easily give concrete solutions. ● Based on algorithms. ● Computers cannot think like humans...at least for now. ● Computers are programmed with all the answers before they are sold so that when you ask the question, the computer can give you its programmed answer in a second.

18 ● How will a computer handle unpredictable problems? ● Image take from

19 ● In general, Computers do not solve engineering problems. ● Engineers solve engineering problem by using computers to perform complex calculations. ● Engineers create detailed mathematical models of their design or proposed solutions to a problem. ● They use computers to perform analysis and/or simulation on the model

20 ● Computers on their own can not solve the problems of humanity, only humans can do that. ● However, computers are powerful tools that can be used to model various aspect of the real world. ● Now a days organizations want people who are problem solvers, not just educationally qualified.

21 Some Exercises

22 The Intuitive Thief A thief enters a shop and threatens the clerk, forcing him to open the safe. The clerk says, "The code for the safe is different every day, and if you hurt me you'll never get the code". But the thief manages to guess the code on his own. How did he do it?

23 The Sister Problem There are seven sister in a house in a village where there is no electricity or any gadget. Sister-1: Reading Novel Sister-2: Cooking Sister-3: Playing Chess Sister-4: Playing Sudoku Sister-5: Washing clothes Sister-6: Garderning What is Sister-7 doing ?

24 The Intuitive Thief A burglar makes an entrance in the showroom and threatens the owner, forcing him to open the safe. The owner threatens back, "The code for the safe is different every day, and if you hurt me you'll never get the code". But the thief manages to guess the code on his own. How did he do it?

25 Software Release Problem You are the CEO/Chairman of a huge software company which is expected to release an update to their existing software application by end of the day. But, there is some really fatal security bugs that can render the software useless if hacked. On the contrary, the software functionality is very smooth. What do you do, make the crucial decision? Further………

26 Software Release Problem The major probable outcomes are: ● You release the updated and the whole system gets brutally hacked compromising you firm’s reputation “Losing Your Customers”. ● You don’t release the update on the promised date and again, your reputation is compromised and you end up “Losing you Customers”.

27 Moving On to the Workshop