AAB - Abstraction and Algorithm Basics (Module Overview)
Abstraction and Algorithm Basics Overview
Introduction
The organization of thoughts and ideas to solve a problem is valued as a real-world skill. How do we provide others documented information which creates a basis for sharing, discussion, reflection of a situation which requires a solution? Beginning programming techniques will add to your arsenal of methods to express your ideas. In addition, you will begin your programming journey.
Essential Questions
- How can a creative development process affect the creation of computational artifacts?
- How can computing and the use of computational tools foster creative expression?
- How can computing extend traditional forms of human expression and experience?
- How are vastly different kinds of data, physical phenomena, and mathematical concepts represented on a computer?
- How does abstraction help us in writing programs, creating computational artifacts, and solving problems?
- How can computational models and simulations help generate new understanding and knowledge?
- How are algorithms implemented and executed on computers and computation devices?
- Why are some languages better than others when used to implement algorithms?
- What kinds of problems are easy, what kinds are difficult, and what kinds are impossible to solve algorithmically?
- How are algorithms evaluated?
Key Terms
abstraction – high level process of removing details and differences in a solution to determine the similarities which might work for many different situations.
algorithm – process of thinking of the steps to complete a task or solve a problem and writing down the steps in the order required to achieve the solution.
binary - first part of the word, “bi”, means 2, so in this case two numbers, 0 and 1.
data – information which can consist of numbers, text, images, stimuli, etc. which may be used to describe the world around us.
information – another word (a synonym) for data consisting of numbers, text, pictures, stimuli, etc. which describe our world.
list – a set of related items; usually in print written down the page.
operator – mathematical items plus, minus, multiplication, division, and modulus which provide calculation directions for numbers.
modulus – the remainder when two numbers are divided, what’s left over.
program – actual instructions given to a computer to make an event happen.
pseudocode – high level informal organized description that transfers, usually in steps, what your thinking is, mixing written language and code language, to provide the general operating procedure of a program.
repeat – to do a set of steps again.
statement – a single computer instruction in a program.
storyboard – informal graphical organization of your thinking for a project with one or more scenes with illustrations, images, characters, animation, directions, and audio for a tale, song, game, or even a computer program.
variable – a program word made up of letters, numbers, and / or allowable symbols which is the programmer's reference to data used.
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