1. Introduction to Programming Programming

2. COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Introduction / Slide 2 Objectives l To learn fundamental problem solving techniques l To learn how to design a program l To learn to use the C++ programming language

3. COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Introduction / Slide 3 What is C++? l C++ is a programming language. l A computer program performs a specific task, and may interact with the user and the computer hardware. n Human work model: n Computer work model:

4. COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Introduction / Slide 4 What is C++? l The most popular programming languages: n Basic (Beginner All-purpose Symbolic Instructional Code) n C++ (an object-oriented language, based on C) n Cobol (Common Business Oriented Language) n Fortran (FORmula TRANslation) n Java n Pascal (named for Blaise Pascal) n Visual Basic (Basic-like visual language developed by Microsoft) n C (developed by the designer of the B language) l The most common versions of C++: n Microsoft VC++2008 n Eclipse n g++ (for Unix machines)

5. COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Introduction / Slide 5 Why C++? l Bad News: n C++ is not easy to learn l Good News: n Lots of good-paying jobs for programmers because C++ is not easy to learn! n Java uses C++ syntax, it is easy to learn Java if you know C++. n Though C++ is not the easiest language (Basic and Pascal are easier), it is not the hardest either (Ada, Prolog and Assembly languages are really difficult!)

6. COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Introduction / Slide 6 Who Uses C++? l Computer makers such as Sun, SGI, IBM, and HP l Airport l Computer chip manufacturers like Motorola & Intel l Software companies l Banks l Hong Kong Government l Hospital Authority l Telecommunications l Universities

7. COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Introduction / Slide 7 Most Important Feature of C++ l Most important feature of C++: its strong and efficient support of both Structured Programming and Object-Oriented Programming. l C++ runs on: n PC n Macintosh n Unix workstations (also, Unix versions of C++ are free!) n supercomputers

8. COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Introduction / Slide 8 What Can We Do By the End of the Course? l Program the computer in applications such as the following: n Program a simple calculator n Program simple computer games n Program a simple text editor n Program a small inventory system for a small company l You will be ready to take on part-time programming jobs by the end of the semester!