INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND

PROGRAMMING IN C
LANGUAGE

BABCOCK UNIVERSITY
COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
WHY COSC101/111?
 Write out what you want to gain from this course.
 Write out your plan to achieve this.
 SPECIAL NOTICE
 Attendance is very important
 The first mid-semester test will take place in
the fourth week of resumption
 The second mid-semester test will take place
in the eighth week of resumption
 A mini project will be given at the sixth week
of resumption, to be submitted on the ninth
week of resumption. The project will be
openly defended.
HOW TO SURVIVE THIS
COURSE
 Work consistently: do not leave your assignment
undone till the last moment, do it the same day you
are given, this will get you prepared for the next
class.
 Ask: when you don’t understand something ask for
it becomes hard to work when you don’t understand
something.
HOW TO SURVIVE THIS
COURSE
For students to do well in programming you must:
Attend practical classes as well as lectures and
organized tutorials
Start practical assignment as soon as you are given
Do the tutorial exercises
Seek help when things get difficult
 HELP…..

 If you get help from your friends or tutors on

assignment, make sure you understand it.
 You can also search the internet to get resources on
learning C programming.
 You may mail me at ……………… if you still don’t
understand what I taught and you have asked your
colleague whom you think understands.
 You can also meet me at schedule time for
interaction.
THINGS TO DO

 Register your name, phone number, and e-

mail address with the class Representative.
 DEFINING A COMPUTER
 A computer acts based on instructions.
 A computer is not intelligent, because it cannot
analyze a problem on its own.
 It needs a human expert to analyze a problem and
develop a program (a set of instruction) for the
computer.
 The computer can only carry out the instructions
given to it.
COMPUTERS ARE ELECTRONIC DATA-
PROCESSING DEVICES
 A computer’s four major functions:
 Accepts data
 Processes data into information (according to a set
of instructions, called programs)
 Outputs data or information
 Stores data and information
Thus data is the raw fact which computer uses. Data
can be in form of diagram, numbers, alphabets,
words, video etc.
THREE BASIC UNITS OF A
COMPUTER
 DEFINING COMPUTER
SCIENCE
 Computer Science is about
building abstract models
of real-world objects or
phenomena, with the aim
of using the model to
solve problems by
automating the models
through the use of
algorithm, and
implementing the
algorithm in form of
instructions which the
computer can understand.
WHY COMPUTER?

 Computers are used for implementation of codes

because they are amazingly fast at executing
algorithms on data.

 Note that we could even use pencil and paper to

work our algorithm but this will take a longer time
and will easily attract error.
COMPUTER SCIENTIST

 Thus Computer Science is

about solving problem.
 Therefore Computer
Scientists are thinkers, they
think on how problems
should be solved.
 Thus abstraction starts from the
mind.
COMPUTER SCIENTIST

 As you think, you have a

picture of how a problem
should be solved in your
mind (i.e. an abstraction).
Thinking then leads to
modeling, this means you
now make the picture of
the solution in your mind
into a model.
COMPUTER SCIENTIST
 A computer scientist then automates the model through the use of
algorithm.
 Automation is an act of providing working solution to a problem
through the use of algorithm.
TRENDS OF PROGRAMMING AND
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
 Native language of a computer machine is 1’s and 0’s
 The 1’s and 0’s is called the machine language
 The programming is done through punched cards, plugged boards, or
front panel switches
 Machine language grew from 1’s and 0’s to hexadecimal (four binary)
due to the advent of terminal such as keyboards, and monitors.
 Machine language is tedious, difficult, and only fits for small programs.
TRENDS OF PROGRAMMING AND
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
 For better expression of operations, assembly language was developed
 Programs in assemble language are translated into machine language
using an assembler
 Assembly language is still a low-level language and not fit for large
programs
 Assemble language is not portable
TRENDS OF PROGRAMMING AND
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
 High level language which is English-like were developed
 It uses control structures which made program flow to be easily
expressed
 It is portable unlike assembly language
 It needs compiler to first translate to machine-specific assembly
language, and then an assembler to convert it to machine language
which is executable by the machine.
 Examples of high-level language is Fortran, Algol, Ada etc.
TRENDS OF PROGRAMMING AND
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
 Another alternative to compiled code or compilation process is the use
of interpreter.
 An interpreter directly converts an high level language into low-level
language which is an executable code.
 Another alternative is a virtual machine e.g. Java virtual machine, which
works on top of the real machine.
TRENDS OF PROGRAMMING AND
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
 Virtual machine converts high-level language into an intermediate code
called byte code.
 Byte code can be easily interpreted into executable code than high-level
language.
 Compiled code is the fastest, interpreted code is portable and quick to
implements and test, virtual machine has the advantage both speed and
portability.
PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS

 Problem solving is an
act of finding a solution
to a perplexing question.
 problem solving is a
natural way of providing
solution to a problem
PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS

 There are different ways of solving a problem, e.g. use of

well defined mathematical principles will help to solve a
mathematical problem, using of tractor on hectares of
land will help to plough the land etc.
 In computing we are interested in solving problems
through the use of computers.
 Thus we ask questions that can be solved using computer.
 These are questions that do not involve physical activity or
emotions this is because a computer only acts on
instructions given to it, thus it is not intelligent i.e. garbage
in garbage out.
PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS
 Advantage of using computer to solve a problem is
that once the instruction is written for the computer,
the computer can repeat the solution very quickly
and consistently, again and again, for different
situations or data.
 This means, a computer program for computation of
CGPA of students can do it accurately for as many
students as possible.
STEPS IN PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS

 Understanding and analysis of the problem

 Development of algorithm i.e. devising a plan
 Coding and implementation
 Deployment and Maintenance
Note: At each stage there should be testing and
proper documentation.
DIAGRAMMATIC REPRESENTATION OF PROBLEM SOLVING
PROCESS
UNDERSTANDING AND ANALYSIS OF
THE PROBLEM
 To have a proper understanding of the problem, some
analytical questions must be asked and answered, for
example
What input data/information is available ?
What does it represent ?
What format is it in ?
Is anything missing ?
Do I have everything that I need ?
What output information am I trying to
produce ?
What do I want the result to look like i.e. result format e.g.
text
a picture, a graph … ?
What am I going to have to compute ?
UNDERSTANDING AND ANALYSIS OF
THE PROBLEM
These questions will help in:

Identifying the input data

Identifying the output requirement
(results)
Describe the processing requirements
Determine whether computer is
require to solve the problem
 UNDERSTANDING AND ANALYSIS OF
THE PROBLEM
(PROBLEM DECOMPOSITION)
 Knowing the input, process
and output requirement will
help to break the problem
down into smaller sub
problems.
 Each sub problem has data that
can be computed in order to
process the data.
LAB I: UNDERSTANDING AND
ANALYZING THE PROBLEM (EXAMPLE
1)
 Note that the first thing is the problem statement, for example if we
have a problem statement as given below:
 Example 1
 Calculate the average grade for all students in a class.
LAB I: UNDERSTANDING AND
ANALYZING THE PROBLEM (EXAMPLE
1)
a. Determine the input data:
What input data/information is available? (score, total number of
students)
What format is it in ? (integer? float? string? video? picture?)
Is anything missing ? (is there any missing score?)
b. Determine the processing requirement.
Do I have everything that I need ? (sum, total number of
students)
c. What output information am I trying to produce ?
What do I want the result to look like … text
a picture, a graph … ?
 RELATING STEP 1 TO
IDENTIFYING VARIABLES
 Based on input data, output data and processing requirements we identify
VARIABLES which will be subsequently used in programming.
 Variables
 Named memory location
 Their value can change during the execution of a program
 In ANSI C programs, all variables must be declared prior to their use. This property
makes C to be a strongly typed language.
 DATA FORMAT
 Data format represents data types

C has a small family of data types.

 Numeric (int, float, double)
 Character (char)
 User defined (struct,union)
LAB I
 Identify (stage 1):
 Output requirement and respective formats
 Input requirement and respective formats
 Processing requirement
 Stage 2:
 Identify the sub-problems
LAB I: UNDERSTANDING AND
ANALYZING THE PROBLEM
(EXAMPLE 1)
 Output requirement:
 Expected Result: Average grade
 Format: floating-point or double
 Input data:
 Total number of students (format: integer)
 Score per student (format: integer)
 Total score: (format: integer)
 Processing requirement:
 Average grade= total score/total number of student
 Format: digit
 PROBLEM DECOMPOSOTION
(EXAMPLE 1)
 In the problem at hand there are data like scores, sum of scores, and number
of student in the class. These data are used in calculating average grade.
 Thus the sub problems are:
 Total score: problem of adding all the students scores together.
 Total number of students: problem of counting the number of all students.
 Average grade: problem of finding the average score per student.
 Average=sum of scores/total no of students
 If no mathematical expression is available you can formulate one if
necessary.
 LAB I: UNDERSTANDING AND
ANALYZING THE PROBLEM (EXAMPLE 2)
 Example 2:
The personnel office of Babcock University is
assigned the task of computing the monthly
emolument of all category of employees of
the institution
The employee taxation is base on the
following constraints;
LAB I: UNDERSTANDING AND
ANALYZING THE PROBLEM (EXAMPLE 2)

If basic salary is less than or equal to N5000, 5%

of basic salary is deducted as tax otherwise 8%
deducted.
Also 10% of the employee gross pay should be
deducted as part of pension scheme.
It is require that each employee pay slip should
contain employee number, name, total allowance,
tax, basic salary, gross pay and Net pay
 LAB I: UNDERSTANDING AND
ANALYZING THE PROBLEM (EXAMPLE 2)
 Analyse the above problem and identify the output, input and processing
requirements
 Draw the flowchart for the payroll system
LAB I: UNDERSTANDING AND
ANALYZING THE PROBLEM (EXAMPLE 2)
 Input data:
 Employee Number
 Employee Name
 Basic salary
 Housing allowance
 Transport allowance
 Meal subsidy
A class teacher needs to compute the average
score of 20 pupils in eight (8) subjects. Thus,
before developing the application you need to
understand and analyse the problem clearly
stating the input data, output data, and
processing requirements. Also, indicate variable
name and data type of each variable.
LAB 19/9
 Babbie.com, a game website request for submission of game from
developers. The game is to teach kindergarten on how to detect their
year of birth through their current age and current year. Before
developing the game application, you are to analyse the problem
indicating input data, output data, and processing requirements.
Solution:
Output requirements:
Employee Number
Employee Name
Total allowance
Tax
Contributory Pension
Basic salary
Gross pay
Net pay
 LAB I: UNDERSTANDING AND
ANALYZING THE PROBLEM (EXAMPLE 2)
 Processing requirements:
 If Basic salary is <=5000, Tax = 5% of Basic salary
Else Tax = 8% of basic salary.
 Total allowances = Housing + Transport + meal
subsidy
 Gross Pay = Basic salary + Total allowances
 Contributory pension= 10% of Gross Pay
 Net pay = Gross pay – (Tax + contributory
pension)
CLASSWORK: PROBLEM
DECOMPOSOTION (CLASSWORK)
 Identify the sub problems in Example 2
 The volume of a cylinder is given by
 V = π r2h
 Analyse the above problem and identify:
 the input, output and processing requirements
 And the sub problems

 The area of a circle is given by the formula

Area = πr2
Analyse the above and identify the output, input and processing
requirements. And identify the sub problems.
 All programming languages has its uniqueness in terms of
 Syntax (Grammatical rules of constructing a statement)
 Semantics (Intended interpretation of a statement, keywords, or reserved
words)