Introduction to Computing

Academic year 2008/9

"Programs must be written for people to read, and only incidentally for machines to execute."
– by H. Abelson and G. Sussman

Knowledge of the software development life cycle and tools to build C software programs.
Ability to describe, analyze and evaluate system requirements, software designs and quality metrics.
Use creative problem solving to develop software programs which reflect considerations for usability and hardware portability.
Ability to apply boolean algebra, iterative algorithms and recursive algorithms for software programs.
Ability to find and use information provided with software development tools and libraries.

The unit uses a problem based learning approach based on 2 coursework submissions and a final examination.

Coursework 1 submission was due December 21, 2008 and contributed 35% to the unit mark.
- Peer review voting is open until January 16, 2009.
Coursework 2 submission is due April 26, 2009 and contributes 35% to the unit mark.
2 hours open notes final examination at the end of the academic year which contributes 30% to the unit mark.
- Note taking is essential for practice and learning. Handwritten notes are permitted during the final examination.
- 2006/7 final exam and the solutions.
- 2006/7 deferral exam and the solutions.
- 2007/8 final exam and the solutions.
- 2007/8 deferral exam and the solutions.

Development of coursework 1

Development of coursework 2

Study notes and exercises

Deitel, P. (2007). C how to program (5th Ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN 013239300X.
Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Prata, S. (2004). C primer plus (5th Ed). New York: Sams Publishing. ISBN: 0672326965
Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Sprankle, M., Hubbard, J. (2009). Problem solving and programming concepts (8th Ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN 0136060609.
Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Ullman, L., Liyanage, M. (2004). C programming: visual quickstart guide. Berkeley: Peachpit Press. ISBN 0321287630.
Buy from Amazon.co.uk

NEWS

REFERENCES

Complete reference of the standard C libraries (also available as a single PDF file download)
Alphabetical index of functions in the standard C libraries
Brief reference of C language and functions
Help using unix
C notes by Brian Brown
C notes by Steve Summit
Intermediate C notes by Steve Summit
Apple Xcode introduction

SOFTWARE

OPEN ACCESS COMPUTER ROOMS

University Library is open 08:00 to 24:00
Portland Building rooms 0.30 and 1.36 is open 08:00 to 20:30 (Mon-Thu) and 08:00 to 18:00 (Fri)
Park Building rooms 0.14 and 0.17 is open 08:00 to 20:30 (Mon-Thu) and 08:00 to 18:00 (Fri)

Please contact Chi Nguyen with questions or suggestions.