Running head: COMPUTER OPERATIONS, SOLVING PROBLEMS, AND 1
Computer Operations, Solving Problems, and Algorithms
your name
class
date
instructor
COMPUTER OPERATIONS, SOLVING PROBLEMS, AND 2
Computer Operations, Solving Problems, and Algorithms
Basic computer operations
There are various operations, performed by the computer. Some of these operations are as
follow.
1. Receive information: From other sources computers receive information for instance
keyboard, cameras, modems, scanners. Now this can be done by the input component of
the computer.
2. Output information and data: A computer is the source of giving information. Like you
save information in the computer because it has the ability to "save" information, a
computer can send information to other sources, using output devices that act as input
and output, such as modems and printers. For instance when you want to send a picture or
text message from your cell phone you are using your mini "computer's" ability to output.
This can be done by using the output components.
3. Perform mathematics and logical calculations: With the help of computer we can perform
calculations. Computer Programmers can create mathematical calculations for a computer
and the computer can do the calculations whether it is simple or hard. These calculations
can be done by processing component of the computer.
4. Store data: Computer can store the data on a memory disk. A computer can assign a value
to a memory location such as "=". When you install a program into your computer that
COMPUTER OPERATIONS, SOLVING PROBLEMS, AND 3
program is stored to a memory location chosen by you or the computer. These tasks are
performed by processing component.
5. Process data: “Computers can easily repeat different actions and to process data.
Computers can repeat entire groups of actions utilizing a sequence of steps. Your
computer takes the information you put into it and "processes" it to create the
information/data you put out of it” (Alba, 2009). A computer, can also run the various
software programs or application with help of processing component.
6. Follow commands: A computer carries out commands and can compare two variables. A
variable is a place in your computers memory to store information. Your computer can
translate or "decode" commands into action and can choose between two alternative
actions by comparing data. This operation is also categorized into processing component.
Process and methods for problem recognition and problem solutions
There are various process and methods of problem recognition. One of them is three-stage
model of problem recognition model is used within an organizations. Which describes such
recognition as being either automatic or requiring further research? The stages involved in
problem recognition processes are:
1. The gestation or latency stage, during which the problem is scanned,
2. The categorization stage, in which problems are determined to be urgent, persistent or
actually not problematic, and
3. The diagnosis stage, in which the problem is defined, prioritized and possibly solved.
COMPUTER OPERATIONS, SOLVING PROBLEMS, AND 4
Eleven propositions related to problem recognition are identified and discussed. The model
developed can help individuals within organizations to understand their group's problem
recognition process, which should in turn facilitate problem-solving techniques.
Process of algorithm development
A program is an expression of an idea. A programmer starts with a general idea of a task
for the computer to perform. Presumably, the programmer has some idea of how to perform the
task by hand, at least in general outline. The problem is to flesh out that outline into a complete,
unambiguous, step-by-step procedure for carrying out the task. Such a procedure is called an
algorithm. Development process of algorithms contains following steps:
Pseudocode and Stepwise Refinement
“When programming in the small, you have a few basics to work with: variables,
assignment statements, and input/output routines. You might also have some subroutines,
objects, or other building blocks that have already been written by you or someone else”
(Vajtersic, 1993). (Input/output routines fall into this class.) You can build sequences of these
basic instructions, and you can also combine them into more complex control structures such as
while loops and if statements.
Suppose you have a task in mind that you want the computer to perform. One way to
proceed is to write a description of the task, and take that description as an outline of the
algorithm you want to develop. Then you can refine and elaborate that description, gradually
COMPUTER OPERATIONS, SOLVING PROBLEMS, AND 5
adding steps and detail, until you have a complete algorithm that can be translated directly into
programming language. This method is called stepwise refinement, and it is a type of top-down
design. As you proceed through the stages of stepwise refinement, you can write out descriptions
of your algorithm in pseudocode -- informal instructions that imitate the structure of
programming languages without the complete detail and perfect syntax of actual program code.
Coding
It would be nice if, having developed an algorithm for your program; you could relax,
press a button, and get a perfectly working program. Unfortunately, the process of turning an
algorithm into Java source code doesn't always go smoothly. And when you do get to the stage
of a working program, it's often only working in the sense that it does something.
Testing
After program plan comes coding: translating the plan into a program written in Java or
some other language. Frequently, no matter how cautious you are, a few syntax errors will creep
in from anywhere, and the Java compiler will refuse your program with some type of mistake
message. When your program compiles without error, you are still not done. You have to test the
program to create sure it works properly. The objective is a program that will work correctly for
all rational inputs. Ideally, when faced with an difficult input, it will react by gently chiding the
user rather than by crashing. Test your program on a broad variety of inputs. Try to find a set of
inputs that will test the full range of functionality that you've coded into your program. As you
begin writing better programs, write them in stages and test each stage along the way. You might
COMPUTER OPERATIONS, SOLVING PROBLEMS, AND 6
even have to write some extra code to do the testing -- for example to call a subroutine that
you've just written.
Debugging
The point of testing is to locate bugs -- semantic mistakes that illustrate up as wrong
performance rather than as compilation errors. And the sad detail is that you will most likely find
them. Again, you can reduce bugs by cautious plan and cautious coding, but no one has establish
a method to keep away from them altogether. Once you've detected a bug, it's time for
debugging. You have to track down the reason of the bug in the program's foundation code and
remove it. Debugging is a talent that, like other elements of programming, needs practice to
master. The golden rule of debugging is; if you are absolutely sure that everything in your
program is correct, and if it still doesn't work, then one of the things that you are totally certain
of is wrong.
COMPUTER OPERATIONS, SOLVING PROBLEMS, AND 7
References
Alba, E. (2009), Optimizing techniques for solving complex problems. Retrieved from Google
books.
Vajtersic, M. (1993), Alogorithms for elliptic problems: efficient sequential. Retrieved on
November 13, 2010.