How a computer works

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How a computer works?

• CS0004
• Introduction to Programming

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First, What is a computer?

• CPU (central processing unit)

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First, What is a computer?

• CPU (central processing unit)
• Memory

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First, What is a computer?

• CPU (central processing unit)
• Memory
• Hard Disk

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First, What is a computer?

• CPU (central processing unit)
• Memory
• Hard Disk
• IO Devices (input/output)

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How does it work?
Monitor
CPU
Keyboard
Hard Drive
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Whats with the storage?

• Fast at the top, but very small!

Input/Output - IO Devices
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How are they connected?

• Client/Server model
• Internet Evolution
• IRC, Email, gopher, FTP, archie
• HTTP, WWW
• VOIP, Internet Video
• P2P, Sensor Networks

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The Internet

• Computers connected to each other

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What is Programming?

• Everything the CPU does is with strings of 0s
  and 1s
• 110101000101110101
• Assembly Languages
• Specific to CPU (Intel, PowerPC, AMD)
• High-level Languages
• C, Java, and VB!

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Exploring Windows

• Let me show you.

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Backup, Backup!

• This is just a slide to inform you to backup your
  data!
• Its important because I dont accept the excuse I
  lost my data.
• Backup, Backup, Backup.

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What is a program?

• Collection of instructions that
• Accepts input
• Process Data
• Outputs results

Input
Process
Output
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How do you program?

• Analyze what you need
• I need to calculate monthly payments.
• Design the program
• Monthly payment (interestbalance)/term
• What it going to look like? Interface design
• Code
• Write code to implement design
• Test and Debug
• Make sure everything works

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Whats different about VB?

• Traditional Programs
• Text Interfaces (ugly)
• In total control until program ends
• Windows Based Application
• User Driven Interfaces (GUIs)
• User in control of the system
• Event driven

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Writing Programs in VB

• Design Interface
• Decide what events to handle
• Write code for each event
• Test, Debug, Test, Debug, Test, Debug, Test,
  Debug, Test

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Example

• Collect a list of numbers and find the average of
  that list.

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Definitions

• Program Series of instructions a computer
  understand
• In VB a program is called a project
• Algorithm Series of steps to solve some problem
• Note a computer doesnt understand an algorithm
• Implementing Process of converting an algorithm
  into a program

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VB Example

• Lets just take a look