Introduction to

Programming

A program...

• is a set of instructions

• perform tasks

• executed by a computer

• is like a recipe

• is read from left to right, top to bottom

Pseudo code

An informal high-level description of the operating principle of a computer program or other algorithm. It uses the structural conventions of a programming language, but is intended for human reading rather than machine reading.

i.e.

Simpler code for humans to read

Example

target_score = 1000

repeat forever,

 current_score = get_current_score

 if target_score > current_score,

    continue_level

 if target_score <= current_score,

     move_to_next_level

Tech Terms

target_score = 1000

repeat forever,

 current_score = get_current_score

 if target_score > current_score,

    continue_level

 if target_score <= current_score,

     move_to_next_level

Variables

Loop

Condition​

Function​

Simplify Example

target_score = 1000

repeat forever,

 current_score = get_current_score

 if target_score <= current_score,

     move_to_next_level

 else
    
    continue_level

Simplify Even More

target_score = 1000

repeat forever,

 current_score = get_current_score

 if target_score <= current_score,

     move_to_next_level

Let's do this together

* odd
* even
* get dice value
* loop through rolling


* 

Now you try!

• Groups of 3-4
• Write pseudo code
• Game of Rock Paper Scissors
• Write each line on a post it note
• Form a program

Javascript

• client side
• interpreted by the browser