This outline is also available in PDF.
Held: Monday, January 22, 2007
Summary:
We begin the class by considering the discipline of CS and by
trying to formally give instructions for an everyday problem.
Related Pages:
Assignments
Notes:
- Upcoming scholarly events: Prof. Meehan on vocation, Thursday 11 a.m.; Dr. Stone on Life, Thursday 4:15 p.m.
Overview:
- Introduction; What is CS?
- An Algorithm for Making Simple Sandwiches.
- Rather than telling you exactly what the class is about,
I'm going to start the class with a question for you.
- The question will help ground the class.
- The question will begin to get
you used to some aspects of my teaching style (particularly my
reliance on recitation-style work).
- The question will test your abilities as a liberal artist.
- What is Computer Science?
- I will give some of my own responses after I've heard some of yours.
- Computer scientists differ in how they define the discipline.
However, most would aggree that
Computer science is the study of algorithms and data structures.
- By
algorithms
, we mean sets of instructions that can be used
to solve problems.
- Some problems are mathematical. For example, you
might write an algorithm to find the square root of a real number.
- Other problems deal with textual information. For example, you might
write an algorithm that tells how to find a name in the phone book.
- You can write algorithms for a wide variety of problems.
- By
data structures
, we mean mechanisms for organizing information.
For example, we organize some information in lists and other information
in tables.
- By
study
, we mean specify, design, describe, evaluate
mathematically, evaluate experimentally, implement in software, implement
in hardware, prove properties, consider applications and implications,
and much, much more.
- In our studies, we rely on the tools and techniques from a number of
other disciplines.
- From mathematics, we take proof techniques,
formal language for describing problems and solutions, and even core
ideas.
- From science, we take experimental techniques.
- From engineering, we take techniques for designing and
constructing things.
- From psychology and the social sciences, we take
techniques for understanding the relationship of our work to human
endeavors.
- These diverse perspectives and skill sets make CS interesting and
challenging.
- Our European colleagues often refer to the discipline as
Informatics
(that is, implying the study of information), and I will admit that I have
come to prefer the term because it distances us a bit from both computers
(we are broader than the technology) and from science (since we do not
necessarily emphasize the scientific method).
- We'll explore the problems of writing clear instructions through a
simple exercise.
- Challenge: Write a clear, unambiguous, and detailed set of instructions
for making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
- Format: Work in groups of about four.
- Each group will write its solution on one of the four boards.
- SamR will play the role of the sentient, but malicious and clueless
follower of instructions
.
- We will do some debriefing today, and additional debriefing in the
subsequent class.
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