1. 110-A1 Central Processing Unit Main Memory Monitor Disk Keyboard mouse What's a Computer? Network CPU: (stupid) brain of the computer can do very simple tasks VERY FAST add, write in memory... Goal: Perform elaborate tasks by putting together many simple tasks HOW ?

2. 110-A2 But A computer only understands instructions written as a series of 0’s and 1’s Need a compiler to translate our program into 0’s and 1’s High level language close (but  ) to plain English BETTER MACHINE LANGUAGE Could write as such, TIME CONSUMING... Write a program! To solve a specific problem: weather forecast, payroll, word processing, traffic lights...

3. 110-A3 Examples of High level languages: What we will use An "easy" and powerful language BUT You will learn programming VB is not the point A useful skill valid for any language Which language? FORTRAN, LISP… 50’s (scientific) COBOL… 60’s (business) BASIC, PASCAL, C… 70’s (multipurpose) C++ (OOP), VB (Objects + events) …80’s Java,… 90’s (platform independent) C#, VB.NET… 2000’s (OOP + event driven)

4. 110-A4 Clearly specify the problem Analyze the problem Find an algorithm to solve the problem Logical series of tasks Example: Managing a traffic light Long enough? Change the light Check the time How long has it been since the light has changed? Yes No Write the program (use VB). DOCUMENTATION Test and Debug (correct mistakes) Maintain and Update How to write a program

5. 110-A5 Programming is FUN * * and sometimes frustrating Read the book Come to class Get a lot of practice on the computers And... DO NOT FALL BEHIND Rewards: plenty Open doors in Education: Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Bio technologies... Employment: good programmers are still in high demand What to Expect?