PRB - Programming: Basics (Module Overview)
Programming: Basics Module 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, and 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 computing and the use of computational tools foster creative expression?
- How can computing extend traditional forms of human expression and experience?
- How can computational models and simulations help generate new understanding and knowledge?
- How are programs developed to help people, organizations, or society solve problems?
- How are programs used for creative expression, to satisfy personal curiosity, or to create new knowledge?
- How do computer programs implement algorithms?
- How does abstraction make the development of computer programs possible?
- How do people develop and test computer programs?
- Which mathematical and logical concepts are fundamental to computer programming?
Key Terms
add details - to include parameters to a provided procedure or function in Alice
argument - another word for a parameter in programming.
assign - to store a value in a variable.
concatenation - the assembling of variables or non-declared values together for use; a plus sign, +, connects the information
code - a programming language used to create a program.
constant - a variable that is not allowed to change values.
edit - to create or change code statements in programming.
decimal number - a number which includes the decimal point with optional fractional parts of a whole number. ex. 1.25, 4.0
default value - the initial value of a variable.
function - a method that returns a value when to assist the program to reach its overall goal.
integer - positive or negative numbers that are not decimals or part of a fraction. ex, -5, 0, 18
math operations - using mathematics with the symbols, +, - , *, /, %, <, <=, >, >= in some manner.
method - a set of code steps that is called to solve a particular problem.
modulus - the remainder of a division problem using the % symbol or mod operation. Example 5/2 has a remainder of 1 so 5%2 = 1.
non-declared value - information that is not contained in a unique variable name.
operator - a character symbol like a plus sign in math, +, or a word or specially defined symbol usage in a programming language, that tell a computer to do something with variables.
parameter - a value passed to a method to be used within the method code steps.
program - a set of instructions telling a computer the operations to perform to reach the overall goal.
procedure - a method that does not return a value but performs steps to assist the program to reach its overall goal.
random - a value that is unknown until chosen.
scene - the background of an Alice program.
statement - a single computer instruction.
string - in programming languages, any variable that is literal, between " ", usually words or sets of words.
textString - a string variable in Alice 3.
variable - a programming word name made up of letters, numbers, and/or allowable symbols which stores data for a program in computer memory.
whole number - in programming languages, any number that does not contain a decimal or fractional part of a number. ex. 0 , 5, 23. In math this is the declaration for an integer in the Alice programming language.
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