Welcome to CS 125. What will you build this semester?
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You’re In The Right Place
What Are Computers Good At?
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Basic math
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Simple decision making
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Doing things over and over again very, very fast
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And storing data
> Click or hit Control-Enter to run the code above
> Click or hit Control-Enter to run the code above
> Click or hit Control-Enter to run the code above
What Are Computers Good At?
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Basic math
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Simple decision making
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Doing things over and over again very, very fast
All things you aren’t good at!
Your Perfect Complement
Together you can solve any problem.
Concept and Craft
Computer science is both a conceptual and an applied discipline.
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Concepts: computer science has deep roots in mathematics and explores the fundamental heart of problem solving
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Craft: as you learn computer science, you learn the most powerful skill on Earth: programming.
Concepts
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Algorithms: ways of solving problems and what makes certain problems hard
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Representation: representing data so that computers can manipulate it
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Recursion: breaking down problems into smaller, manageable pieces
Craft
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Imperative programming: solving problems using constructs like loops and conditional expressions
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Object-oriented programming: design patterns for starting to work on larger software projects
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Software development: design, style, debugging, testing, and other core software development competencies
Don’t Tell Anyone: Programming Is Fun
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Really fun. It’s an ultimate mental challenge and a full left-right brain workout.
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Once you get good at it, it’ll be one of your favorite things to do. And you can change the world. So there’s that.
Creations
Computer scientists have built some incredible things! So we’ll try to find time to talk about things like:
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The internet
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Google
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Computer hardware
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Artificial intelligence
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And something that you might suggest! We’re open to ideas.
Cheating
I take academic integrity extremely seriously. Cheaters will be caught and punished.
Lectures
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Lectures are taught in an active learning style. We’ll spend our time reading and writing code together, just like the examples we started class with.
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If you have a laptop, bring it with you. If you don’t, we’ll make accommodations.
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There will frequently be pre-lecture readings or activities to complete
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You’ll receive credit for being in the right place at the right time and following along and participating
MPs
Programming is about practice. Period.
The programming assignments—known at CS@Illinois as machine problems—are an enormous part of how you learn the material. Start them early, get help as needed, and don’t give up! The more you work at them, the more you learn.
Beginner’s Rule
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Many of you are beginners, but not all of you.
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If you’re new and you meet someone that seems much better than you—they have probably just had more practice.
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Don’t get discouraged! But the only way to catch up is to keep practicing.
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You will get better. And it gets fun fast…
How To Succeed in CS 125
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Prepare for, attend, and participate in your assigned lecture and lab section
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Start the MPs early and make a regular appointment to come to office hours
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Don’t miss the weekly quizzes in the CBTF—they start this week
Questions?
Announcements
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Friday we’ll cover variables, primitive types, expressions, and conditional statements
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We are planning on giving a quiz in the CBTF this weekend covering course policies. Stay tuned.
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If you haven’t registered yet please attend any lab this week.
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MP0 is out and due a week from Friday! At least get your environment set up. Office hours all day today, tomorrow, and Friday.