CA211 Fundamentals of Computer Programming

							CA211 Fundamentals of
Computer Programming

Wednesday Week1
Lecture: Algorithms


                  [   B.Sc. in Enterprise Computing ]
Intro




      What is an algorithm?




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Algorithm definition

      A set of steps or rules
      The steps involved in finding the
       solution to a problem or calculation

      Problem solving steps/instructions!



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In programming…

      Instructions that a human could do
      But computers do faster and don’t get
       bored!

      Programming is finding ways for
       computers to do the boring, repetitive
       or difficult work for us
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In programming…



      What could you use an algorithm for?
                   or
      Give an example of an algorithm.



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Algorithms so far

      You have already come across
       algorithms!
            Kind of like the ∑ sum function in a
             spreadsheet
            Finding your perfect match online!




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Preparing for programming

      Fail to prepare = prepare to fail

      Preparing = working out the steps
      Meaning… working out the algorithm

      This is very important!

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Problem Solving and
Programming

1.     Identify the problem(s) to be solved
2.     Note down what you already know
3.     Outline the steps for solving the
       problem on paper in English
4.     Write comments for each step in your
       file in order
5.     Write the code, compile, run and
       debug
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Problem Solving and
Programming

      Each solution must be
            Unambiguous
            Executable
            Terminating




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Unambiguous

      Precise instructions
      No guesswork
      No creativity




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Executable

      If you don’t give the human enough
       information he/she won’t be able to
       figure it out
      Likewise…
      If you don’t give the computer enough
       information…
      It doesn’t have real world knowledge!
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Terminating

      Take care your program won’t get
       stuck in an infinite loop




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Remember…



        Never start to write a Java program,
         before you have worked out (on paper
         or in your head) exactly what the
         program should do


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Remember…



      If you cannot find or write an algorithm,
       you cannot use the computer to solve
       your problem



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Remember…



      The more time you spend working out
       the algorithm for a problem, the better
       the program you write will be



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Problem Solving

      Get into groups
      Attempt the following logic puzzles
      For each you must
            Discuss and resolve the puzzle
            Write out the steps involved in solving the
             problem


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1a: Truth
      A. The number of false statements here is one.

       B. The number of false statements here is two.

       C. The number of false statements here is three.

       D. The number of false statements here is four.


       Which of the above statements is true?


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1a: Solution




C
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Working it out in steps

      1. Assume statement A is true. If this is
       true, then there is only one false
       statement. This means that there are
       three true statements. This cannot be
       the case because if A is true, B, C or D
       cannot be true.


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Working it out in steps

      2. Assume statement B is true. If so,
       then there is one other true
       statement apart from B itself. This
       cannot be the case because A, C
       and D contradict B.




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Working it out in steps

      3. Assume statement C is true. If so,
       then there is only one statement
       which is true which is C. A, B and D
       contradict C which means they
       must be false which makes C true.




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Working it out in steps

      4. Assume statement D is true. If so,
       then there are no true statements. But
       this cannot be the case if D is true.




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Working it out in steps

      5. Only one of the following
       assumptions (C is true) does not lead
       to a contradiction. Therefore C must
       be true.




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Milking it

      A milkman has two empty jugs: a three
       gallon jug and a five gallon jug. How
       can he measure exactly one gallon
       without wasting any milk?




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Working it out




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Working it out in an algorithm

1.       Fill the 3 gallon jug.
2.       Pour the liquid from the 3 gallon jug
         into the 5 gallon jug.
3.       Fill the 3 gallon jug again.
4.       Pour as much liquid as will fit into the
         5 gallon jug. What's left in the 3 gallon
         jug is one gallon.
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