The section

is led by
Yuliia
Zhukovets, a
preceptor at
Harvard,
who
previously
served as a
TA at Yale
for CS50
and now
supports
both on-
campus and
online
students.

Course The session

Introduction is designed
and for CS50
Instructor Week 1 and
Background focuses on
the basics of
the C
programming
language,
which forms
the
foundation
for the rest
of the
course.

The agenda
includes
variables,
operators,
functions,
conditionals,
loops, and
an
introduction
to Problem
Set 1,
specifically
the Mario
pyramid
problem.

Variables in
C are
containers
for storing
data values,
and each
variable
must be
declared
with a
specific
type such as
int, float, or
string.

Variables, The
Types, and assignment
Assignment operator (=)
in C is used to
assign
values to
variables, for
example, "int
calls = 4;"
creates an
integer
variable
named calls
with the
value 4.

Variables
can be
reassigned
new values,
and
operations
such as
incrementing
(calls = calls
Foundatio + 1 or
ns of C calls++),
Program decrementin
g,
ming multiplicatio
n, and
division can
be
performed
User input
on them.
can be
obtained
using
functions
like get_int
for integers
and
get_string
for strings,
which are
provided by
the CS50
library
(cs50.h).

User Input The printf

and Output function is
Common in C used for
errors output, with
include format
missing codes such
semicolons, as %i for
undeclared integers and
variables or %s for
functions, strings to
and insert
improper variable
use of values into
format output
codes in strings.
printf
statements.

Proper use
of format
Compiler Debugging codes and
error and Error escape
messages Messages characters
can be (like \n for
cryptic, but new lines
careful and " for
reading and quotes) is
understandin essential for
g of the correct
context help output
in resolving formatting.
issues
efficiently.

Programs
are written
in files with
Including a .c
necessary extension,
libraries and the main
(stdio.h, function (int
cs50.h) at main(void))
the serves as the
beginning of entry point
the program for
is essential execution.
for
accessing
input/output
and CS50-
specific
functions.
Writing and Compilation
Running is performed
Comments Simple C using the
are used to Programs make
annotate command
code, clarify (e.g., make
logic, and hello), which
leave translates
reminders source code
for future into machine
development, code before
improving execution.
overall code
readability.

Common
beginner
Consistent Comments, Practical mistakes
indentation Readability, include
and and Code Tips, missing
modularizati Organization Common semicolons,
on through Pitfalls, forgetting to
functions and include
contribute necessary
to clean and Recap libraries, and
maintainable improper
code. use of
format
codes or
escape
characters.

Breaking
down
complex
problems
into smaller,
manageable
steps is
emphasized
as a key
strategy for
successful Programs
programming can collect
. and store
multiple
pieces of
user
information,
The session such as
covers name, age,
variables, hometown,
types, and phone
input/output, number,
functions, using
conditionals, appropriate
loops, and variable
modular types (string
programming for text, int
through for numbers).
practical Handling Input
examples. Multiple validation is
Data Types important,
and User for example,
Information storing
phone
numbers as
The Mario Recap of strings to
pyramid Key accommodat
problem Concepts e various
serves as a and Next formats
comprehensi Steps (with dashes
ve exercise or
to apply parentheses).
foundational
concepts in
C
programming
. Comments
(//) are used
to annotate
code and
improve
readability
without
Students are affecting
encouraged program
to execution.
experiment
further,
tackle the
right-aligned
pyramid
challenge,
and
continue Functions in
building on C are
the skills defined with
introduced a return
in this type, a
section. name, and
parameters;
for example,
void
print_row(int
bricks)
defines a
function
that prints a
row of bricks.

Working Functions: Function

Definition, prototypes
The Mario with Data Parameters, must be
pyramid and and Return declared
problem Functions Types before main
involves to ensure
constructing the compiler
a visual recognizes
pyramid of them when
bricks in the
terminal, Introd called within
main.
inspired by
the classic uctio
Mario video
game. n to
C
Progr Functions
The task is
divided into
Problem
Overview
ammi can be used
to

ng:
modularize
manageable and Step-by- code, such
steps: Step as
prompting
the user for
Approach CS50 separating
the logic for
the pyramid
height, Week printing a
row of bricks
printing rows
of bricks, 1 from the
main
and handling
input Secti program
logic.
validation.
on
Overv Input

The initial
iew validation
ensures that
user-
focus is on provided
creating a data meets
left-aligned program
pyramid, requirements,
with the such as
challenge of prompting
creating a for a
right-aligned positive
version left integer for
for further pyramid
practice. height.

Input The do-

Validation while loop
A helper and Error structure is
function, Handling used to
print_row, is repeatedly
created to prompt the
handle the user until
printing of a valid input is
single row of received,
bricks, ensuring
taking the robust and
number of user-friendly
bricks as a programs.
parameter.

Error
messages
The main Modularizing and
function with Helper debugging
manages Functions are common
user input in early
and calls programming
print_row in , and
a loop to understandin
build the g compiler
pyramid row feedback is
by row, crucial for
demonstratin resolving
g modular issues.
programming
.

Function
prototypes
are declared
before main
to ensure
proper
recognition
and avoid
scope-
related Building
errors during the Mario Conditionals
compilation. Pyramid: allow
Problem programs to
make
Set 1 decisions
based on
Boolean
A for loop in expressions,
main iterates such as "if
from 1 to the (calls < 1)"
user- to check if a
provided variable
height, meets a
calling certain
print_row condition.
with the
current row
number to
create the Conditionals: The if-else
pyramid If, Else, and structure
shape. Boolean provides
Expressions mutually
exclusive
branches,
executing
Proper use Looping different
of new line Logic and code blocks
characters Dynamic depending
(\n) ensures Output on whether
that each the
row is condition is
printed on a true or false.
separate
line,
maintaining
the intended
visual Boolean
structure. expressions
can use
comparison
operators
like <, >, ==,
and != to
Adjustments evaluate
to loop relationships
initialization between
and variables.
conditions
(e.g., starting
at 1 instead
of 0) are
made to
ensure the
correct Loops
number of enable
rows and repeated
bricks per execution of
row. code blocks,
with while
loops
The do- continuing
while loop is as long as a
employed to condition is
repeatedly true and for
prompt the loops
user for the iterating a
pyramid set number
height until of times.
a positive
integer is
entered.
Control Loops: The for loop
While, For, structure
Flow: and Do- combines
Condition While initialization,
als and Structures condition
Loops checking,
and
This Input incrementing
approach Validation in a single
prevents the with Do- line, making
program While Loops it ideal for
from known
proceeding iteration
with invalid counts.