Transcript CSC 150 UNGRADED QUIZ - Concordia University Wisconsin

FOUNDATIONS OF
COMPUTER SCIENCE
(1) Why go back to the foundations?
(2) Computer systems.
(3) Computer science and vocation.
1. Why go back to the
foundations?
We have just studied computer
systems in increasing detail. The
problem is one “cannot see the woods
for the trees.” It helps wrap up a
course to go back to the fundamental,
key ideas and themes, which most
need to be remembered.
2. Computer systems.
Definitions.
1. A computer is a tool which
processes data into information.
2. A computer system is everything
required to make a computer
productive.
Computer systems continued.
A computer system includes:
1) Hardware (H/W)
2) Software (S/W)
and
3) People.
Computer systems continued.
What is the basic role of H/W?
H/W does the physical work of
(1) inputting, (2) processing,
(3) storing and retrieving, and
(4) outputting.
Computer systems continued.
What is the basic role of S/W?
S/W: (1) enables the user to
communicate with the H/W (systems
S/W)
(2) enables the writing of programs
(programming languages) and….
Computer systems continued.
(3) tells the H/W how to process data
into information (application
packages).
Computer systems continued.
What are the basic roles of people?
(1) Users. A. Supply data.
B. select application packages
(external commands to the operating
system) C. Tell the application how
to process / format the data (internal
commands).
Computer systems continued.
(2) Programmers.
A. Analyze problems.
B. Devise algorithms.
C. Test and debug algorithms.
D. Code algorithms in a
programming language.
Computer systems continued.
E. Compile, test and debug programs.
F. Maintain programs.
A good programmer designs with
modifiability and robustness in
mind. What does this mean?
Computer systems continued.
(3) Computer scientists.
A. Assess the needs of a group of
users.
B. Design a configuration of H/W,
system and application S/W which
meets those needs.
3. Computer science and
vocation.
1. The Christian idea of vocation
emphasizes that all work, including
“secular work” can be done to serve
our neighbor and for the glory of God.
We should not worship the
technology we use (as an end in itself)
but see it as a means to service.
Computers and vocation (cont.).
2. Jesus said, “The Sabbath is
made for man, not man for the
Sabbath” (Mark 2:27) Likewise:
“Computers are made for man, not
man for computers.” What does this
mean?
Computers and vocation.
3. Ultimately, computer science
should be about serving people, both
the computer users and those who are
affected by computer systems (e.g.
Y2K, defense systems, reactors).
Computers can be used for benefit or
abused. Examples?
Computers and vocation.
4. How do we serve people
through computer science?
(1) Meeting people’s real needs
(2) Making things easier for people
(3) Providing reliable products
(4) Allowing for future change