The document outlines an assignment for a digital forensics course, requiring students to create a Python program functioning as a hexadecimal editor. The program will read a user-specified file and display its binary content formatted with offset values, hexadecimal bytes, and ASCII representations. Additionally, it includes details about evaluating comparative reasoning and its applications, emphasizing the importance of patterns in interpretation and decision-making.

1. CSCI 352 - Digital Forensics
Assignment #1
Spring 2020
Due Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Total Points: 100
You are going to write a Python program that represents a
command line version of a hexadecimal editor.
This program will be similar to the Linux built-in command line
hexadecimal editors such as xxd and
hexdump.
The program will first ask the user to enter the name of any file
you want to read. Your program will then
print the binary contents of the file into the standard output
(screen). The output will be divided into three
main sections: the offset values in decimal, sixteen space-
separated hexadecimal bytes, followed by the
same sixteen bytes but in ASCII value. The figure below shows
an example of the first 48 bytes of an
output, and the three different sections:

2. Notice that in the 2nd section there a space between the 8th and
9th byte. Each output line represents 16 bytes.
The first column shows the decimal offset, where the first byte
from the first line represents the 0th byte;
the second line starts with byte 16th and so on. The final
section only shows the printable ASCII characters.
These are the ASCII characters can be printed on the screen
(usually they are the characters with ASCII
values between 0x20 and 0x7EThe rest of the unprintable bytes
are replaced by a period ('.'). The following
built-in Python functions will be useful in this situation: chr,
hex, ord. More information about these
functions can be found here:
https://docs.python.org/3/library/functions.html
What to hand in
Submit your program electronically through D2L. Please hand
in the Python program (.py file or.ipynb)
offset

3. Hexadecimal Values
ASCII Values
https://docs.python.org/3/library/functions.html
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THINK CRITICALLY, FACIONE & GITTENS
Chapter 12
Comparative Reasoning
© 2016 by Pearson Education, Inc.
© 2016 by Pearson Education, Inc.
THINK CRITICALLY, FACIONE & GITTENS
Learning OutcomesExplain comparative reasoning and how it
impacts our understanding of novel situationsApply correctly
the five criteria for the evaluation of comparative
reasoningDescribe the uses, benefits, and risks of comparative
reasoning

4. Learning OutcomesChapter first explains comparative reasoning
and how it impacts our understanding of novel situations.It then
applies correctly the five criteria for the evaluation of
comparative reasoning.The chapter finally describes the uses,
benefits, and risks of comparative reasoning.
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Chapter Opening Video
Chapter Opening VideoThe video talks about comparative
reasoning.It shows the importance of identifying and evaluating
the comparative reasoning and the analogies.
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This is Like That—Recognizing Comparative ReasoningOur
minds crave patternsComparative, ideological, and empirical
inferencesGardens of comparativesPowerful comparisons
connect intellect and emotion
This is Like That—Recognizing Comparative
ReasoningComparative reasoning: Process of using what is
more familiar to make interpretations, explanations, or
inferences about what is less familiar.Our minds crave
patternsPattern recognition is fundamental to human
learning.Comparative, ideological, and empirical

5. inferencesComparative, ideological and empirical reasoning are
fundamental reasoning strategies.Gardens of
comparativesComparative reasoning relies on images,
comparisons, parables, allegories, fables, models, metaphors,
and similes.Powerful comparisons connect intellect and
emotionSpeech and songwriters, and poets associate their ideas
with memorable comparisons as they are capable of influencing
people.
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Our Minds Crave PatternsPattern recognition was inherited as
the human species evolvedPeople crave patterns and impose
them on natural phenomenaPattern recognition is fundamental
to human learning
Our Minds Crave PatternsPattern recognition was inherited as
the human species evolved.People crave patterns and impose
them on natural phenomena.Individuals have the ability to
recognise when a familiar pattern is not followed.Human minds
can impose any number of different patterns.Pattern recognition
is fundamental to human learning.People try to understand
novel experiences by integrating them with what they already
know.
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Our Minds Crave PatternsComparative reasoningProjecting the
familiar on to the unfamiliar as a way of seeking

6. understandingInvolves potential risks and problems
Our Minds Crave Patterns Comparative
reasoningProjecting the familiar on to the unfamiliar as a way
of seeking understanding.Example - An employer asks a job
applicant about prior work experience as he believes that it will
make it easier for the new hire to learn the new job.Involves
potential risks and problems.
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Comparative, Ideological, and Empirical InferencesComparative
reasoningEnables one to make interpretations, draw inferences,
or offer explanations Ideological reasoningTop-down from core
beliefsEmpirical reasoningBottom-up from observations to
generalizations
Comparative, Ideological, and Empirical Inferences -
Fundamental reasoning strategies.Each strategy offers
advantages and disadvantages.Comparative reasoningEnables
one to make interpretations, draw inferences, or offer
explanations. Relies on something more familiar to understand
something that is less familiar.Helps explain abstract ideas and
offer advice.Ideological reasoningTop-down from core
beliefs.Empirical reasoningBottom-up from observations to
generalizations.
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7. Breaking Down Comparative Reasoning
Breaking Down Comparative ReasoningComparative reasoning
can be interpreted using different features of interest.Above
table describes the features and assertion of similarities
involved in the two examples.
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Gardens of ComparativesPeople cultivate a variety of ways to
express comparative reasoningComparisons shape judgments of
what to believe or doComparative reasoning relies on images,
comparisons, parables, allegories, fables, models, metaphors,
and similes
Gardens of ComparativesPeople cultivate a variety of ways to
express comparative reasoning.Most comparative reasoning
does not appear as fully developed argument with reasons and
claims.Comparisons shape judgments of what to believe or
do.Judicious critical thinkers must be alert to the ways people
use comparisons to express their thinking.Comparative
reasoning relies on images, comparisons, parables, allegories,
fables, models, metaphors, and similes.
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8. Gardens of ComparativesComparative reasoning is used
to:Illustrate ideasOffer interpretationsMake argumentsGive
reasonsExplain our thinkingSimplify concepts
Gardens of ComparativesComparative reasoning is used
to:Illustrate ideas.Offer interpretations.Make argumentsGive
reasons.Explain our thinking.Simplify concepts.Comparisons
have the power to persuade people, shape expectations, alter
attitudes, and evoke emotions.
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Powerful Comparisons Connect Intellect and
EmotionComparisons communicate at both emotional and
intellectual levelCan dispose one’s opinion for or against
people, and points of view even before one engages in System-2
reflective judgment
Powerful Comparisons Connect Intellect and
EmotionComparisons communicate at both emotional and
intellectual level.Speech and songwriters, and poets associate
their ideas with memorable comparisons as they are capable of
influencing people.Can dispose one’s opinion for or against
people, and points of view even before one engages in System-2
reflective judgment.
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9. Discussion Question Provide a powerful example of
comparative reasoningThe example should connect intellect and
emotion, and complete the sentence “Being a college student is
like …”
Discussion QuestionProvide a powerful example of comparative
reasoning.The example should connect intellect and emotion,
and complete the sentence “Being a college student is like
…”This discussion question aims to show how comparisons
connect to a person’s intellect and emotions.
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Evaluating Comparative InferencesFour tests of
acceptabilityFive criteria for evaluating comparative reasoning
Evaluating Comparative InferencesKnowledge of comparisons is
essential for its usage.Several factors contribute to the merit of
a comparison.Four tests of acceptabilityEvaluates the
acceptability of a comparison.Five criteria for evaluating
comparative reasoningThe value of comparative reasoning lies
in the possibility that it could lead to new insights, hypotheses,
and dimensions.
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Four Tests of AcceptabilityFirst testAre the premises all
true?Second testAre there counterexamples and how difficult is

10. it to imagine them?
Four Tests of AcceptabilityFirst testAre the premises all
true?Words true and false are not optimal for evaluating a
sentence that asserts a comparison.Words like apt, insightful,
vivid, silly, and superficial are better words for
evaluation.Second testAre there counterexamples and how
difficult is it to imagine them?Helps gauge the logical strength
of the analogy.Comparisons can be categorized as more or less
plausible.Comparative reasoning reveals points of dissimilarity
and similarity.
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Four Tests of AcceptabilityThird testAre the premises relevant
to the truth of the conclusion?Fourth testDoes the truth of any
premise depend on the truth of the conclusion?
Four Tests of AcceptabilityThird testAre the premises relevant
to the truth of the conclusion?Conclusion is the assertion about
the characteristics of the unfamiliar object.Maker of the analogy
must show that the comparison is relevant.Fourth testDoes the
truth of any premise depend on the truth of the
conclusion?Comparative inferences should flow from what one
knows about the premises and what one can project to be true.
Purpose of comparative reasoningTo illustrate, illuminate,
suggest, or hypothesize.
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Five Criteria for Evaluating Comparative
ReasoningFamiliarityDegree of knowledge the listener has
about the object to which the unknown is being
comparedSuccessful comparisons direct listener’s attention to a
more familiar object
Five Criteria for Evaluating Comparative ReasoningThe value
of comparative reasoning lies in the possibility that it could
lead to new insights, hypotheses, and dimensions.
FamiliarityDegree of knowledge the listener has about the
object to which the unknown is being compared.Successful
comparisons direct listener’s attention to a more familiar
object.Lack of familiarity with the object of the comparison can
suppress the analogy.
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Five Criteria for Evaluating Comparative ReasoningSimplicity:
Measure of the relative complexity of the
comparisonComprehensivenessA comparison is more
comprehensive than the other based on the number of central or
essential features it captures
Five Criteria for Evaluating Comparative ReasoningThe value
of comparative reasoning lies in the possibility that it could
lead to new insights, hypotheses, and dimensions. Simplicity:
Measure of the relative complexity of the comparison.Simpler
comparisons are readily understood and
remembered.ComprehensivenessA comparison is more

12. comprehensive than the other based on the number of central or
essential features it captures.Example - A counsellor says to a
camper,”Hold the handle like you would a tennis racket. Set
your feet apart like you would if you were getting ready to push
something heavy. And swing like you would if you were going
to hit a nail with a heavy hammer.”Instead he could say, “Swing
an axe like you swing a baseball bat.”
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Five Criteria for Evaluating Comparative
ReasoningProductivityCapacity to suggest ideas beyond those
mentioned in the initial comparisonTestabilityCapacity to
project consequences that have potential to be shown to be
false, inapplicable, or unacceptable
Five Criteria for Evaluating Comparative ReasoningThe value
of comparative reasoning lies in the possibility that it could
lead to new insights, hypotheses, and dimensions.
ProductivityCapacity to suggest ideas beyond those mentioned
in the initial comparison.Exploring productive comparisons can
reveal additional possible implications.TestabilityCapacity to
project consequences that have potential to be shown to be
false, inapplicable, or unacceptable.Criterion of testability
allows to evaluate the acceptability of a proposed comparison.
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Models and Metaphors Shape ExpectationsCreative suggestions

13. vs. solid proofsUses of comparative inferences
Models and Metaphors Shape ExpectationsCreative suggestions
vs. solid proofsComparative inferences are inadequate to serve
as proofs of ideas.Uses of comparative inferencesComparative
inferences help suggest approaches to understand unfamiliar
things.
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Creative Suggestions Vs. Solid ProofsComparative inferences
are used to:Explore assumptionsShape expectations about new
situationsCreative comparisons are suggestive of new
ideasComparative inferences are inadequate to serve as proofs
of ideas
Creative Suggestions Vs. Solid ProofsComparative inferences
are used to:Explore assumptions.Shape expectations about new
situations.Creative comparisons are suggestive of new
ideas.Analogies suggest alternatives, possible explanations, and
hypotheses.Comparative inferences are inadequate to serve as
proofs of ideas.
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Uses of Comparative InferencesComparative reasoning is used
in:Legal argumentationDiscussions of ethicsBuilt into the
language one speaksHelp suggest approaches to understand

14. unfamiliar things
Uses of Comparative InferencesComparative reasoning is used
in:Legal argumentation.Discussions of ethics.Comparative
reasoning is powerfully persuasive.Persuasive power depends
heavily on the suggested parallelism.Comparisons are built into
language.Example - Standard household electric current flows
through the wiring in our homes and businesses.Help suggest
approaches to understand unfamiliar things.Memorable and
compelling.Shape individual and group decisions.Humorous,
emotionally evocative, and powerfully motivating.Strong
critical thinkers will be cautious when comparisons and
metaphors are used as substitutes for solid explanations.
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Sketchnote Video
Sketchnote VideoThe video summarizes the benefits of
comparative reasoning when it is done in a thoughtful and
logical manner.
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