• Computer science is a lot of fun if you are the type of person who enjoys creating things and solving puzzles.
• If you don't enjoy those kinds of things now, maybe you will by the end of the class.
• From the first day: Lots of hands on activities.
• Every class you will be creating your own programs.

3. You Can Get a High-Paying Job

Plus, many job perks such as free snacks and food, free laundry, flexible schedules, telecommuting opportunities and more!

4. Computer Science Is Important In Any Career Path

• Learning how to program is an important skill for any field.
• You don't have to be a software engineer to use your programming skills.
• Some examples, based on possible student interests:
  

• Artists and writers can create interactive works of art and fiction using programming skills. Here is an example of interactive fiction by famous author Emily Short.

Activity 1.2: How to Make Friends with Stress (10 pts)

• Watch the video by Dr Kelly McDonigal
  
• Then, answer the questions on the below worksheet
• Upside of Stress Worksheet
• Upload your completed assignment to Canvas as a pdf, doc, docx, txt, or odt file

• Main memory - Also known as RAM or Random Access Memory. This is the memory that people refer to when they say "How much memory does your computer have?" 
  
• Main memory consists of numbered memory locations. Each location in memory is given an "address." The RAM can access each memory location directly by going to that "address." 
  
• Think of the RAM as the computer's scratch paper or short term memory. It doesn't store information permanently there. But, uses the memory addresses to temporarily store information it needs as it does its calculations.
  

• Secondary memory - This is the permanent memory. The hard disk, CDs, Flash drives, external hard drives. Can you think of anything else?
  
• Memory here is stored as files. Secondary memory is generally slower because the computer must search through memory locations sequentially to find a file. Unlike the RAM, the computer cannot access a file directly by its address in secondary memory.

More Information

• PC World article on the difference between the hard drive (HD) and a solid state drive (SSD)

Group Activity: Where are the different components located on your computer?

1. Input devices
2. Output devices
3. CPU
4. Main memory
5. Secondary memory

4.1. Computer Software and Algorithms

• Program - a sequence of instructions given to a computer. These instructions are executed in order by the Central Processing Unit (CPU).
• The computer follows the instructions in the program to complete some task.
• In the Hour of Code, the instructions you give your character are executed in order.
  

How to Write an Algorithm

• When we design algorithms, we need to write them simply so anyone can use them
• This means that we cannot have long formulas or compound statements that are difficult to understand
• Instead we must break everything down into simple steps
• Every statement can only say how to do one simple thing
• A good first approach is to work out an example. Then, try to generalize from the example.
  
• As we will see, this is how computers work

Activity 1.1: Sandwich Algorithm (10 pts)

• Imagine that you have a friend who has never made a sandwich before.
• Can you give step-by-step instructions for how to make a peanut butter sandwich?
• Copy and paste the contents of this worksheet into a blank document (MS Word or another Google doc).
• Write your name at the top.
• Fill in the remaining steps for making a peanut butter sandwich
• Try to write your own algorithm - don't just copy off the internet
  
• When you are finished, upload your worksheet to Canvas under Activity 1.1
  

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4.2. Programming Languages and the Compiler

• What are some examples of languages you speak?
• These languages are used to communicate with people.
  
• Programming languages are similar to human languages, but are designed to communicate with machines.
• Used to communicate instructions to the computer.
• The problem: Computers only understand 1s and 0s.
• Difficult for humans to understand 1s and 0s.
• We need a translator!
• Java is a programming language which was created because it is easy for humans to use and understand. It is called a high-level language. Computers cannot understand Java directly because the instructions are not written in 1s and 0s.
• Other high level languages include PHP, Python, C, C++.
• Instructions written in these languages are called source code.
  
• Programs written in these languages need to be translated into a format the computer can understand.
• A Compiler is a program that translates a high-level language program, such as a Java program, into a machine-language program that the computer can directly understand and execute.
• Compilers are also useful because they let you know when you have made certain types of mistakes in your program.
  

5. Introduction to Binary Numbers - The Language Computers Understand

• Video: How Computers Work Part 1
• Bit = a binary digit = one 0 or 1 digit.
• Byte = 8 bits
• Why does a computer understand only 0s and 1s?
  
• Understanding Base 10 (Decimal) (on white board)
  
• Understanding Base 2 (Binary) (on white board)

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Activity 1.2: Binary and Decimal Worksheet (10 pts)

• Copy and paste the binary-decimal worksheet into a new document on Word, Open Office, Libre Office, Notepad or Google Docs.
• Convert the given binary numbers to decimal numbers and decimal numbers to binary numbers
• Please show your steps
  
• Upload the completed worksheet to Canvas when you are finished under Activity 1.2.

Wrap Up

• Answer the following questions:

Upcoming Assignments