Computer programming involves planning a sequence of instructions for a computer to follow to solve a problem. It is a multi-step process that includes analyzing the problem, developing algorithmic instructions, and communicating the program to the computer. Common problem solving techniques used in programming include asking questions, looking for similarities, divide-and-conquer, and merging solutions. Programs allow computers to quickly and consistently repeat solutions.

1. Chapter 1
Overview of Programming
and Problem Solving

2. What is Programming?
• LOGICALLY SEQUENTIAL thought
• Order of things and actions

3. Computer Programming
The process of planning a
sequence of steps for a
computer to follow.

4. Computer Program
A sequence of instructions to be
performed by a computer.

5. Computer Program
Processing
Function
inputs outputs

6. Computer Programming
• Computer is a powerful tool
• It is not intelligent!
• In order to use computer to solve our problems,
we must tell it what we want done and the order
in which we want it done.
• These instructions are called computer program.
• This process is called computer programming.
• The person giving these instructions is called a
computer programmer.

7. Computer Programming
• Analyze the problem
• Develop a sequence of instructions for
solving the problem.
• Communicate it to the computer.

8. Computer Programs
Once written, computer can repeat
the solution very quickly and
CONSISTENTLY.

9. Programming Language
A set of rules, symbols, and special
words used to construct a
computer program.

10. Phases of the software life cycle
• Requirement Definition
• Analysis and design
• Coding
• Testing
• Implementation
• Maintenance

11. Two Phase Process
• Problem solving
– Analysis and specification
– General solution (algorithm)
– Verification
• Implementation
– Concrete solution (program)
– Test

12. Problem Solving Techniques
• Ask questions
• Look for things that are similar
• Means-ends analysis
• Divide and Conquer
• Merging solutions

13. Ask Questions
• Ask questions until you have developed a clear
understanding of the problem.
• Who, What, Why, Where, When.
– What do I have to work with? (my data or input)
– How much data is there?
– What should my output look like?
– How many times is the process going to be
repeated?
– What are the exceptions to the main course?
– What special error condition might come up?

14. Look for things that are familiar
• Do not reinvent the wheel!
• Draw Analogies

15. Means-Ends analysis
• Starting point and ending state are known.
• You need to devise the transformation
function.
• Ends are defined – you need to analyze
your means of getting between them.
• Lahore to Islamabad
– What are the options?
– Narrow down the options?
– Figure out the details?

16. Divide and Conquer
• Same as the Alkhwarzimi Principle.
• Breakup the large problem into smaller
units and then solve them one at a time.
• Building block approach.

17. Divide and Conquer
Hard Problem
Hard Sub-problemEasy Sub-problem Easy Sub-problem
Easy Sub-problemEasy Sub-problem

18. Divide
and
Conquer

19. Merging Solution
• Sometimes merging two independent
solutions solves the problem more
efficiently?
• Calculate Average
– Count values
– Sum Values
– Divide sum by count
• Alternative approach
– calculate partial sum as you count

20. Problem Solving Techniques
• What is the unknown?
– What is required?
– What do you want?
– What are you supposed to seek?
• What are the data?
– What is given?
– What have you?
• What is the condition?
– By what condition the unknown is linked to the
data?

21. A Puzzle
A man, starting from point P, walked one mile due
South. Then he changed direction and walked
one mile due East. Then he turned to the left and
walked one mile due North, and arrived at exactly
at the point P he started from. During his journey,
he saw a bear. What is the color of the bear?
What is the unknown?
How could we find the color of the bear from the mathematical
data?
Where is the link?

22. Conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius
• Output
– Temperature in Celsius (C)
• Inputs
– Temperature in Fahrenheit (F)
• Process
32)(F
9
5
C −=

23. Algorithm
Make a Jam and Butter Sandwich
• Output
– Jam and Butter Sandwiches
• Inputs
– Jam, Butter, Bread, Knife, Plate
• Process
1. Put two slices of bread on the plate
2. Using the knife, spread butter on one side
3. Using the knife, spread jam on the other
side
4. Put the two slices together, clean side out
5. Repeat from step 1 to 4 to prepare more
sandwiches

24. Calculate and print the average grade of
3 tests for the entire class
• Input
– 3 test scores for each student
• output
– Average of 3 tests for each student
• Process
1. Get three scores
2. Add them together
3. Divide by three to get the average
4. Print the average
5. Repeat step 1 to 4 for next student
6. Stop if there are no more students

25. Algorithm
ATM for withdrawal
• Output
– Money, error messages
• Inputs
– User Identification (ATM card), password,
amount

26. ATM for withdrawal - Process
1. Get the ATM card for identification and ask for
password
2. Check password
3. If password is not valid, generate an error
message and go to step number 8.
4. Get the amount from the user
5. Check the current balance
6. If amount is greater than current balance,
generate an error message and go to step
number 8.
7. Subtract the amount from the balance and give
out the cash.
8. Return the ATM card
9. Stop

27. Flow Charting
Expresses the flow of processing in a
structured pictorial format.
Processing
Steps
Input and
Output Steps
Decision
Flow
of
data
Connectors
Terminator

28. Flow chart for
Converting
Fahrenheit
into Celsius
Get temp. in ‘F’
Print ‘C’
Calculate )32(F
9
5
C −=
Stop

29. Get bread, butter,
jam, knife, and plate
Put two slices of
bread on the plate
Spread butter on one slice
Spread Jam on the other slice
Put the two slices together,
sticky side in
Want another?
Yes
Stop
No
Flow chart for
preparing a
butter and jam
sandwich

30. Add them together
Divide the result by three
More students?
Yes
Stop
No
Flow chart for
calculating
average of
three scores
Get three scores
Print the average

31. Get Password
Is Password
Correct?
Get amount
Yes
Is amount <
Balance
No
Generate
Error Message
No
Generate
Error Message
Subtract amount
from balance
Yes
Stop
Return
ATM card
ATM cash withdrawal process
Dispense cash