CS 101

Problem Solving and Structured

Programming in C

Sami Rollins
srollins@mtholyoke.edu
Fall 2004
 Introduction
What is computer programming?
What is this class about?
Who should take this class?
 Administrative Information

Class web page

http://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/srollins/cs101/
 Assignments
Reading Chapter 1
Homework 0 due Monday
 Computer Hardware
Main memory
Secondary memory
CPU
Input devices
Output devices
 Computer Software
Operating system
Examples?

Applications
Examples?

How is a new application developed?

 Computer Programs
At the lowest level machine instructions
00000111000
One step up assembly language
ADD A
More user friendly high level languages
C = A + B;
Examples?
 Translation
High level language must be translated
into a language the computer can
understand

High-level Machine
Compiler
Code Instructions
 Writing Programs
Understand requirements
Write an algorithm
Implement your algorithm
Test your code
 What is an algorithm?
A specific set of instructions

An algorithm to make a PBJ sandwich?

 Hello World
/*
* Name: Sami Rollins
* Source file name: hello.c
* My first "hello, world" program in C.
*/
#include <stdio.h>

//the main function

int main (void)
{
//print the phrase
printf("Hello, world!");

return(0);
}
 Errors
You WILL have errors in your programs
Syntax Errors
Compiler doesnt understand code
Ex. printf(Hello, world!);
Sometimes error messages dont match problem
Logic
Program runs, but doesnt do what you want
Ex. printf(Hell, world!);
Can be hard to track down