CS99 Lecture 1
- Week of 8/28/2000

CS99 Overview
- Details
  Course label:      COM S 99
  Course name:       Fundamental Programming Concepts
  Semesters offered: Fall, Summer
  Credits:           2
  Grades:            S/U
  Website:           http://courses.cs.cornell.edu/cs99/2000fa/
  Newsgroup:         cornell.class.cs99

Synopsis
- CS99 as gentle introduction
- Precursor to CS100

Alternatives
- http://www.cs.cornell.edu/ugrad/FirstCourse.html
- ABEN has other courses, too

Instructors
- David I. Schwartz (CS)
- Kim Hamilton (CAM)

Material
- Maple -- a bit delayed on installation
- Student Version will become available at bookstore
- Draft of DIS's book
- 1st Edition will be available at bookstore

Requirements
- Lecture once per week
- Lab once per week (Upson B7)
- Programming Assignments
- Two Prelims

Grading
- Programming Assignments: 50%
- Labs, Participation: 10%
- Prelim 1: 10%
- Prelim 2: 20%

What to do now
- Read http://courses.cs.cornell.edu/cs99/2000fa/overview.htm!
- Review the descriptions of CS99, and alternative courses.
- Read Chapters 1 and 2.  Refer to the online Syllabus to obtain the files.

Programming
- Problems & Tools
- Problems -> need to solve "things"
- Tools -> what we use to solve those "things"

Problem & Tool Types
- Physical -> laboratory models
- Abstract -> mathematical models

Computers
- Tool for solving problems
- Both physical (hardware) and abstract (software)

Programming
- "Automating problem solving"
- Software instructs computer on "what to do"
- Process
  Start with problem
  Determine a solution procedure -> called algorithm
  Break the procedure down into smaller and small steps
  Remember that computers are "stupid"
  Need very explicit instructions

Programming Assignment 1
- Shoe-lace example: Due next week.
  Explain to a robot how to tie shoe-laces. The robot can read English
  text, but cannot understand graphical images. You will need to be
  extremely explicit in your instructions. You must type your
  instruction set in a clear fashion.