Fundamentals of Programming

Introduction to Computers, Programs, and C++

Computers and Computer Languages
• Computers are everywhere
• how many computers do you own?
• Computers are useful because they run programs
• program is simply a set of instructions to complete some task
• how many different programs do you use in a day?

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Definitions
• program: A set of instructions that are to be carried
out by a computer.

• program execution: The act of carrying out the

instructions contained in a program.
• this is done by feeding the instructions to the CPU

• programming language: A systematic set of rules

used to describe computations, generally in a
format that is readable and editable by humans.
• in this class we use Java

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 High Level Languages
• Computers are fast
• Intel® Core™ i7-8086K Processor on
the order of 2 billion transistors
(a switch that is on or off)
• performs tens of billions of operations
per second
• Computers are simple
• They can only carry out a very limited set of
instructions
• on the order of 100 or so depending on
the computer's processor
• machine language instructions, aka
instruction set architecture (ISA)
• Add, Branch, Jump, Get Data, Get
Instruction, Store, (CS429)

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 Machine Code

• John von Neumann - co-author of paper in 1946 with Arthur

W. Burks and Hermann H. Goldstine,
• "Preliminary Discussion of the Logical Design of an Electronic
Computing Instrument"
• One of the key points
• program commands and data stored as sequences of bits in the
computer's memory
• A program: 1110001100000000
0101011011100000
0110100001000000
0000100000001000
0001011011000100
0001001001100001
0110100001000000
0000111000000011

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 Say What?

• Programming with Strings of bits (1s or 0s) is not the easiest

thing to do.
• Assembly language
• mnemonics for machine language instructions
.ORIG x3001
LD R1, x3100
AND R3, R3 #0
LD R4, R1

BRn x3008
ADD R3, R3, R4
ADD R1, R1, #1
LD R4, R1
BRnzp x3003
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 High Level Languages

• Assembly language, still not so easy, and lots of commands to

accomplish things
• High Level Computer Languages provide the ability to accomplish a lot
with fewer commands than machine or assembly language in a way
that is hopefully easier to understand

int sum = 0;
int count = 0;
while (list[count] != -1) {
sum += list[count];
count = count + 1;
}

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Computer
• What is?
‒ A computer is an electronic device that stores and processes data

• Computer Consists of
‒ Hardware
‒ Software

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Hardware Components
• Central processing unit
• Memory
• Storage devices
• Input devices
• Output devices
• Communication devices

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Central Processing Unit
• Retrieves instructions from memory and executes them
• Two components
‒ Control unit
‒ Arithmetic / Logic unit
• Built from millions of transistors
• Internal Clock
‒ Used to control and synchronize the pace of operations
‒ Clock Speed Unit (hertz)
• Number of Cores

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Central Processing Unit

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Storage Devices
• RAM is volatile
‒ Data is lost when power is off
• Permanent storage elements?
‒ Hard disk
‒ CD / DVD
‒ Flash drive
• Programs and Data are store in permanent storage
‒ Moved to memory for processing

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An Important Realization
• Computers are stupid.

• Computers can’t read minds.

• Computers seldom make mistakes.

• If the computer is not doing what we want, it’s because WE

made a mistake.
• Users are not always very intelligent

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A Simple C++ Program
• Preprocess directives
are not statements
(no semi-colon ;)

• Extra space in < >

• Case Sensitive
‒ Main vs main

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Listing 1.2

• Output?

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Listing 1.3

• Output?

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Output?

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C++ Program
Development Cycle

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Programming Style and Documentation
• Appropriate Comments
• Comment Styles
• Proper Indentation and Spacing

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Errors?

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Programming Errors
• Syntax Errors

• Runtime Errors

• Logic Errors

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Programming Errors
• Syntax Errors

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Programming Errors
• Syntax Errors

• Runtime Errors

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Programming Errors
• Syntax Errors

• Runtime Errors

• Logic Errors

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Common Errors

Missing Braces, Semicolons, Quotation Marks and Misspelling Names

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Work…

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