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An “enjoyable” introduction to Programming

An “enjoyable” introduction to Programming. Dr. Jeyakesavan Veerasamy University of Texas at Dallas, USA jeyv@utdallas.edu. What is programming?. Developing applications & games Software is not limited to PC most complex systems run software smart phones, game devices, even DVD players.

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An “enjoyable” introduction to Programming

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  1. An “enjoyable” introduction to Programming Dr. Jeyakesavan Veerasamy University of Texas at Dallas, USA jeyv@utdallas.edu

  2. What is programming? • Developing applications & games • Software is not limited to PC • most complex systems run software • smart phones, game devices, even DVD players

  3. Programming … • is NOT a boring or repetitive activity • does NOT require you to sit in dark room and type in computer all day! • does NOT involve complex Math • requires logical thinking – technical common sense • write minimal code & combine with existing components to build new applications • Solve customers’ problems & improves quality of life for every one.

  4. Why learn programming? • Software Engineers get great pay! • Less stressful compared to several other high paying jobs • Automation continues… • Computer touches our lives more & more every day… • More component based programming  always room for simple programs to do large tasks!

  5. Learning to ride bicycle • Difficulties for beginners: • Difficulties for experienced folks:

  6. Learning to ride bicycle • Difficulties for beginners: • Learning to balance & go forward together • Difficulties for experienced folks: • None.

  7. Solution • Training wheels • Helmet • Makes learning enjoyable and safe! • Similar difficulties are there while learning to program in a computer.

  8. Learning to program • We have similar challenges. • Most students try to learn syntax and logic together, waste lot of hours and get confused & frustrated. • Indian students resort to memorization of programs. US students run away from programming. Both are NOT good  • It is possible to do much better!

  9. Solution • Visual Programming Tools to teach programming concepts without encountering syntax errors • Focus on the logic first & build confidence.

  10. Free Visual Programming Tools

  11. Sample program in Snap 4.0

  12. Program Output

  13. Programming Concepts

  14. A few examples • Recipe to make your favorite food • Assembly instructions for a toy • Coming to school from home What is common about these activities?

  15. Programming concepts:Sequence structure instruction 1; instruction 2; instruction 3; …

  16. A few more examples • Bike to school or walk? • Become a doctor or programmer? • Do homework or play? • Eat Poori or Chapathi? What is the common thing here?

  17. Selection structure IF condition is true THEN do this; ELSE do that; ENDIF

  18. A few more examples • Go on a shopping spree with lot of cash! • Take an exam that has several questions • Eat chips from a packet What is the common thing here?

  19. Repetition structure WHILE (more items to process) process the next item; ENDWHILE FOR month = 1 to 12 do monthly processing ENDFOR

  20. Programming Concepts • Control Structures: Sequence, Selection & Repetition • These are 3 pillars of Programming. • Every complex program is only a combination of these structures.

  21. Purpose of Alice • Enjoyable introduction to Programming • Learning to program with training wheels • Stepping stone to learn more serious languages (C/C++/Java) • Natural introduction to Object Oriented Programming

  22. Hands-on Introduction to Alice It is a good idea to save each program separately so that you can go back and review later.

  23. Alice environment • World • Gallery • Creating the initial scene • Adding objects • Working with objects

  24. Alice Examples • Sequence • Selection • Repetition/loop • Parallel actions

  25. Alice Examples … • Modules • Arrays • Event based programming • Games

  26. References • Alice website: www.alice.org • Textbook: Learning to Program with Alice by Wanda Dann, Steve Cooper and Randy PauschISBN: 0-1318-7289-3 • Ebook: http://www.dickbaldwin.com/tocalice.htm • My presentation & examples: www.utdallas.edu/~jeyv/alice

  27. Questions & Answers Dr. V. Jeyakesavanjeyv@utdallas.edu

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