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Lecture Slides 900

This document is the introduction chapter of a textbook on algorithms. It provides an overview of key topics that will be covered in the book, including the history and origins of computing machines from early devices like the abacus to modern computers. It also discusses the science of algorithms and computer science as a field, highlighting central questions about problem solving, algorithm design, and applying computational knowledge. The outline lists chapters that will examine topics such as data storage, operating systems, networks, and artificial intelligence.

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11 views

Lecture Slides 900

This document is the introduction chapter of a textbook on algorithms. It provides an overview of key topics that will be covered in the book, including the history and origins of computing machines from early devices like the abacus to modern computers. It also discusses the science of algorithms and computer science as a field, highlighting central questions about problem solving, algorithm design, and applying computational knowledge. The outline lists chapters that will examine topics such as data storage, operating systems, networks, and artificial intelligence.

Uploaded by

cboustany
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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You are on page 1/ 10

10/14/2007

Chapter 0
Introduction

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley.


All rights reserved

Chapter 0: Introduction

• 0.1 The Role of Algorithms


• 0.2 The Origins of Computing Machines
• 0.3 The Science of Algorithms
• 0.4 Abstraction
• 0.5 An Outline of Our Study
• 0.6 Social Repercussions

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-2

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10/14/2007

Terminology

• Algorithm: A set of steps that defines how a


task is performed
• Program: A representation of an algorithm
• Programming: The process of developing a
program
• Software: Programs and algorithms.
• Hardware: Equipment

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-3

Figure 0.1 An algorithm for a


magic trick

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-4

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10/14/2007

History of Algorithms

• The study of algorithms was originally a subject


in mathematics.
• Early examples of algorithms
– Long division algorithm
– Euclidean Algorithm
• Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem: Some
problems cannot be solved by algorithms.

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-5

Figure 0.2 The Euclidean algorithm

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-6

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Origins of Computing Machines

• Early computing devices


– Abacus: positions of beads represent numbers
– Gear-based machines (1600s-1800s)
• Positions of gears represent numbers
• Blaise Pascal, Wilhelm Leibniz, Charles Babbage

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-7

Figure 0.3 An Abacus

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-8

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10/14/2007

Early Data Storage

• Punched cards
– First used in Jacquard Loom (1801) to store patterns
for weaving cloth
– Stored programs in Babbage’s Analytical Engine
– Popular through the 1970’s
• Gear positions

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-9

Early Computers

• Based on mechanical relays


– 1940: Stibitz at Bell Laboratories
– 1944: Mark I: Howard Aiken and IBM at Harvard
• Based on vacuum tubes
– 1937-1941: Atanasoff-Berry at Iowa State
– 1940s: Colossus: secret German code-breaker
– 1940s: ENIAC: Mauchly & Eckert at U. of Penn.

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-10

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10/14/2007

Figure 0.4 The Mark I computer

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-11

Personal Computers

– First used by hobbyists


– IBM introduced the PC in 1981
• Accepted by business
• Became the standard hardware design for most desktop
computers
• Most PCs use software from Microsoft

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-12

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10/14/2007

Computer Science

• The science of algorithms


• Draws from other subjects, including
– Mathematics
– Engineering
– Psychology
– Business Administration
– Psychology

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-13

Central Questions of Computer


Science

• Which problems can be solved by algorithmic


processes?
• How can algorithm discovery be made easier?
• How can techniques of representing and
communicating algorithms be improved?
• How can our knowledge of algorithms and technology
be applied to provide better machines?
• How can characteristics of different algorithms be
analyzed and compared?

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-14

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10/14/2007

Figure 0.5 The central role of


algorithms in computer science

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-15

Abstraction

• Abstraction: The distinction between the


external properties of an entity and the details
of the entity’s internal composition
• Abstract tool: A “component” that can be used
without concern for the component’s internal
properties

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-16

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10/14/2007

Outline of Our Study

• Chapter 1: Data Storage


• Chapter 2: Data Manipulation
• Chapter 3: Operating Systems
• Chapter 4: Networks and the Internet
• Chapter 5: Algorithms

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-17

Outline of Our Study (continued)

• Chapter 6: Programming Languages


• Chapter 7: Software Engineering
• Chapter 8: Data Abstractions
• Chapter 9: Database Systems
• Chapter 10: Artificial Intelligence
• Chapter 11: Theory of Computation

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-18

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Social Repercussions

• Advances in computer science raise new


questions.
– In law: Questions of rights and liabilities
– In government: Questions of regulation
– In the work place: Questions of professionalism
– In society: Questions of social behavior

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-19

Ethical Theories

• Consequence based:
What leads to the greatest benefit?
• Duty based:
What are my intrinsic obligations?
• Contract based:
What contracts must I honor?
• Character based:
Who do I want to be?

© 2007 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved 0-20

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