Programming Fundamentals
LECTURE # 1
SEMESTER 1(FALL
2021)

Reference Book
 Download Link for book:
 https://faculty.ksu.edu.sa/sites/default/files/ObjectOrientedProgramminginC4thEdition.pd
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 For Tool
 https://sourceforge.net/projects/orwelldevcpp/

Assessment Instruments with Weights
 Mid Term 25 marks
 Final Term 50 marks
 Sessionals 25 marks
 Assignments 5 marks
 Quizzes 10 marks
 Presentation/Project Viva 10 marks

Course Goals
 Understands fundamentals of programming such as variables, conditional and
iterative execution methods.
 The main aim of this course is to introduce the fundamental concepts
necessary for designing, using, and implementing programming languages and
its applications.
 Students are able to write computer program to solve specified problems.

Today’s Outline
 Introduction to programming fundamentals and problem Solving
 What is Problem Solving
 What is Program
 Algorithm and pseudo code
 Flowchart
 Types of Programming Languages
 Von Neuman Architecture

Problem Solving
● Problem?...obstacle, difficulty…needs to be solved
● P.solving is process of finding a best solution for it.
● P.solving is a skill that can be developed
● we solve different problems every day…..easy and difficult(more time and attention)
● different strategies, techniques and tools are used to solve a problem
● computers are used as tools to solve complex problems by developing programs
● program contain diffrent instructions for computer
● Programmer writes instructions and computer executes these to solve prob..
● A good problem solver can be a good programmer

Program
Set of instructions that tells a computer what to do is called a program
● Computer works according to given instructions in the program
● Computer programs are written in programming languages
● A person who develops a program is called a programmer
● Programmer uses programming languages or tools to write a program

Algorithms and pseudocode
➔ An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure to solve a problem
➔ algorithm makes problem simpler and easier
➔ It is better to write an algorithm before writing an actual computer program
➔ properties
◆ given problem should be broken down into simple+meaningful steps
◆ Steps should be numbered sequentially
◆ Steps should be descriptive and written in simple english
➔ Pseudo code
◆ algorithms are written in a language that is similar to simple english called psuedo code

Example of an algorithm
 Baking a Cake:
 Preheat the oven
 Gather the ingredients
 Measure out the ingredients
 Mix together the ingredients to make the batter
 Grease a pan
 Pour the batter into the pan
 Put the pan in the oven
 Set a timer
 When the timer goes off, take the pan out of the oven
 Enjoy!

More Examples
 Make tea.
 Add two numbers.
 Take two number inputs
 Add numbers using the + operator
 Display the result
 Find sum of Two Natural Numbers

FlowChart for adding two numbers

Another Example
 A user of a computer program could be asked to enter in 3 random numbers. The program could then
follow a set of specific steps in order to arrange the numbers from smallest to largest.
 Ask the user to enter 3 numbers.
 Look at the numbers in the order that the user entered them.
 Is the first number larger than the second number?
 If so, swap the 2 numbers.
 Otherwise, do nothing.
 Is the second number larger than the third number?
 If so, swap the second and third number.
 Otherwise do nothing.
 Repeat steps 2-4 until correct order is achieved
 Return new sequence to user

Programming Languages
➔ A set of words, symbols and codes used to write programs is called programming language.
➔ different programming languages are used for different programs
➔ Types
◆ Low-Level Languages
◆ High-Level Languages

Low-Level Languages
● Near to computer hardware and far from human languages
● Computer can understand these languages easily
● Writing programs in low level languages requires a deep knowledge of hardware
● Types
■ Machine Language
■ Assembly Language

Machine Language
➔ Instructions are written in binary form
➔ Only language which is directly understood by the computer
➔ Machine language is difficult to understand by humans.
➔ Writing and modifying program takes a lot of time
➔ First generation language

Assembly Language
➔ One step higher than machine language
➔ symbols are used instead of binary code….Mnemonics(sub for subtrctn)
➔ Mostly used for writing system software
➔ Second generation language