CDW - Creating a Digital World {OVERVIEW}

Creating a Digital World

List of Lessons

In this module, we will study the following topics:

Programming

      • Understand programming languages used in coding.
      • Differentiate between visual block-based and text-based programming.

Designing using Programming Process

      • Understand the process to design a program.

Creating A Computer Program

      • Creating a Computer Program.

Module Objectives

  • Compare and contrast visual block-based and text-based programming.
  • Examine the programming process for creating a program.
  • Design a computer program using Scratch programming.

Key Terms

Pair Programming: a software development technique in which two programmers work together at one workstation.

Algorithm: a finite set of instructions that accomplish a specific task.

Code Statement: a part of program code that expresses an action to be carried out.

Expression: can consist of a value, a variable, an operator, or a procedure call that returns a value; expressions are evaluated to produce a single value.

Execute: the process of running a computer software program, script, or command.

Behavior: how a program functions during execution; often described by how a user interacts with it.

Program Inputs: data sent to a computer for processing by a program; it can come in a variety of forms, such as tactile, audio, visual, or text.

Program Outputs: any data sent from a program to a device; can come in a variety of forms, such as tactile, audio, visual, or text.

Event: an occurrence; things that happen; usually associated with an action (i.e. mouse click, button pressed).

Event Handler: a part of code that 'handles' or listens for a specific type of event; when that event occurs, the code inside the event handler is run.

Block-Based Programming: a graphical approach to programming that uses a programming command as a puzzle piece metaphor to visually convey information about the programming commands available to the user and how they can be used.

Text-Based Programming: using keyboard characters (text) following a certain syntax.

Syntax: rules that define the combinations of symbols that are considered to be correctly structured statements or expressions.

Sequencing: actions that occur in a specific order.

Conditionals: If/Then statements that make something happen if a certain condition is met.

Loops: a sequence that happens multiple times.

Variables: names you give to computer memory to store values.

Functions: reusable code that is used to perform a single, related action.

Debugging: the process of finding and fixing errors or bugs in the code of a program.

Array: stores multiple values.

Flowcharts: a graphical representation of an algorithm.

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.