LECTURE 1

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What is computer?
 Computer
 A device capable of performing computations and making logical
decisions
 A machine that manipulates data according to a list of instructions.
 A programmable device that can store, retrieve, and process data.

 Computer programs
 Sets of instructions that control a computer’s processing of data

 Hardware
 Physical part of the computer
 Various devices comprising a computer
 Examples: keyboard, screen, mouse, disks, memory, CD-ROM, and processing
units

 Software
 A collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that
perform some tasks on a computer system
 Programs that run a computer
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Computer organization
 There are Six logical units in every computer:
 Input unit
 Obtains information (data and computer programs) from input
devices (keyboard, mouse)
 Output unit
 Outputs information to output device (screen, printer) or to control
other devices.
 Memory unit
 Rapid access, low capacity, stores input information
 Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU)
 Performs arithmetic calculations and logic decisions
 Central processing unit (CPU)
 Supervises and coordinates the other sections of the computer
 Secondary storage unit
 Cheap, long-term, high-capacity storage, stores inactive programs

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Computer languages

 Computer languages are divided into three types.

 Machine languages
 Machine language is machine dependent.
 Strings of numbers giving machine specific instructions
 Example:
+1300042774
+1400593419
+1200274027
 Assembly languages
 English-like abbreviations representing elementary computer
operations (translated via assemblers)
 Example:
LOAD BASEPAY
ADD OVERPAY
STORE GROSSPAY
Translator programs called assembler were developed to convert assembly
language programs to machine language programs at computer speed.
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Computer languages
 High-level languages
 Similar to everyday English, use mathematical notations
(translated via compilers)
 Example:
grossPay = basePay + overTimePay
 C, C++ are the most widely used high level languages. Some
other examples are
 FORTRAN (formula translator)
Used in scientific and engineering applications
 COBOL (common business oriented language)
Used to manipulate large amounts of data
 Pascal
Used to teach structured programming
 Translator programs called Compilers converts high-level
language programs into machine language 5
Basics of a typical C++ environment

Program is created in
Editor
Phases of C++ Programs
Disk the editor and stored
 on disk.

to be executed Preprocessor Disk

Preprocessor program
processes the code.

 Edit Compiler creates

 Preprocess Compiler Disk object code and stores

it on disk.

 Compile Linker Disk

Linker links the object
code with the libraries,
creates a.out and
 Link Primary
stores it on disk
Memory
 Load Loader

 Execute Loader puts program

in memory.
Disk ..
..
..

Primary
Memory
CPU CPU takes each
instruction and
executes it, possibly
storing new data
.. values as the program
.. executes. 6
..
Program organization

 Program statement
 Definition
 Declaration
 Action

 Executable unit
 Named set of program statements
 Different languages refer to executable units by different names
 Subroutine: Fortran and Basic

 Procedure: Pascal

 Function : C++

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C++ programming

 C++ program
 Collection of definitions, declarations and functions
 Collection can span multiple files

 Advantages
 Structured into small understandable units
 Complexity is reduced
 Overall program size decreases

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Programming and Problem Solving

 Pseudo code
 Artificial, informal language used to develop algorithms
 Similar to everyday English

 Not executed on computers

 Used to think out program before coding
 Easy to convert into C++ program

 Only executable statements

 No need to declare variables

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Programming and Problem Solving

 Algorithm
 A sequence of precise instructions which
leads to a solution

 Program
 An algorithm expressed in a language the computer
can understand

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Program Design

 Programming is a creative process

 Program Design Process

 Problem Solving Phase

 Result is an algorithm that solves the problem

 Implementation Phase
 Result is the algorithm translated into a programming
language

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Problem Solving Phase

 Be certain the task is completely specified

 What is the input?
 What information is in the output?
 How is the output organized?

 Develop the algorithm before implementation

 Experience shows this saves time in getting your
program to run.
 Test the algorithm for correctness

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Implementation Phase
 Translate the algorithm into a programming
language
 Easier as you gain experience with the language

 Compile the source code

 Locates errors in using the programming language

 Run the program on sample data

 Verify correctness of results

 Results may require modification of

the algorithm and program

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C++ Programming
Simple program to print a line of text.
Comments
Written between /* and */ or following a //.

1 // A first program in C++ Improve program readability and do not cause the computer to perform
any action.

2 #include <iostream.h> preprocessor directive

Message to the C++ preprocessor.
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C++ programs containLines
one orbeginning
more with # are preprocessor directives.
functions, one of which must be main
#include <iostream> tells the preprocessor to include the contents of the file
4 int main() which includes input/output operations (such as printing to the screen).
Parenthesis are used to<iostream>,
indicate a
function
The left brace ,{, line 5 must begin the body of function and the
5 { int means that maincorresponding
"returns" an right brace ,}, line 9 must end the body of each function.
integer value.
6 cout << "Welcome to C++!\n";
Prints the string of characters contained between the quotation marks.
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The entire line, including cout, the << operator, the string "Welcome
to C++!\n" and the semicolon (;), is called a statement.
8 return 0; // indicate that programmust
All statements ended
end with a semicolon.
successfully
9 }
return is a way to exit a function from a function.
return 0, in this case, means that the program
terminated normally. It is one of the several means
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used to exit a function
 C++ Programming

 cout
 Standard output stream object
 “Connected” to the screen

 <<
 Stream insertion operator
 Value to the right of the operator (right operand) inserted into
output stream (which is connected to the screen)
 cout << “Welcome to C++!\n”;

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C++ Programming

1 // an example to observe using statement

2 // program to display greeting

3 #include <iostream.h>

5 int main()

6 {

7 cout << “Hello world\n";

9 return 0; // indicate that program ended successfully

10 }

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Escape Character
 Indicates that a “special” character is to be output
Escape Sequence Description

\n Newline. Position the screen cursor to the

beginning of the next line.
\t Horizontal tab. Move the screen cursor to the
next tab stop.
\r Carriage return. Position the screen cursor to the
beginning of the current line; do not advance to
the next line.
\a Alert. Sound the system bell.

\\ Backslash. Used to print a backslash character.

\" Double quote. Used to print a double quote character.

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 C++ Programming
 There are multiple ways to print text. Following are some more examples.
1 //observing the use of \n
2 // Printing a line with multiple statements
3 #include <iostream.h>
4
5 int main()
6 {
7 cout << "Welcome ";
8 cout << "to C++!\n";
9
10 return 0; // indicate that program ended successfully
11 }

The output would be as bellow

Welcome to C++!

Unless new line '\n' is specified, the text continues

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on the same line.
C++ Programming

1 // printing multiple lines with a single statement

2 // Printing multiple lines with a single statement

3 #include <iostream.h>

5 int main()

6 {

7 cout << "Welcome\nto\n\nC++!\n";

9 return 0; // indicate that program ended successfully

10 }

Welcome
To
C++! Multiple lines can be printed with one 19
statement.
Testing and Debugging
 Bug
 A mistake in a program
 Debugging
 Eliminating mistakes in programs

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Program Errors
 Syntax errors
 Violation of the grammar rules of the language
 Discovered by the compiler
 Error messages may not always show correct location of
errors

 Run-time errors
 Error conditions detected by the computer at run-time

 Logic errors
 Errors in the program’s algorithm
 Most difficult to diagnose
 Computer does not recognize an error

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