Introduction to Computing – B142L
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
Learning outcomes
- 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.
Assessments
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.
- 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.
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Textbooks
- Deitel, P. (2007). C how to program (5th Ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN 013239300X.
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- Prata, S. (2004). C primer plus (5th Ed). New York: Sams Publishing. ISBN: 0672326965
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- Sprankle, M., Hubbard, J. (2009). Problem solving and programming concepts (8th Ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN 0136060609.
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- Ullman, L., Liyanage, M. (2004). C programming: visual quickstart guide. Berkeley: Peachpit Press. ISBN 0321287630.
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Study resources
NEWS
- Mobile computing before it's time Dec 8, 2008
- A modern education Dec 3, 2008
- Why developers prefer Macs Nov 17, 2008
- BBC computer quiz Oct 15, 2008
- IBM student mainframe contest Oct 14, 2008
- Now what exactly is a queue? Oct 1, 2008
- US IT industry is losing its edge Sep 16, 2008
- Hi, I'm an assembler programmer Sep 9, 2008
- 16 hot roles for IT pros Aug 18, 2008
- So you want to be a -- what? -- programmer? Aug 4, 2008
- Developer fixes 33-year-old Unix bug Jul 10, 2008
REFERENCES
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)
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