0: Pre-Assessment
- Page ID
- 46788
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Upon completion of this unit you should be able to:
- state the basic skills for computer data
- outline the basic principles of programming
- describe the problem-solving strategies in data structures and algorithms
Unit Introduction
The purpose of this unit is to determine your grasp of prior knowledge related to this course. The unit's expectation is that the students have prior knowledge on basic computing and principles of programming. A recap of this course/s will prepare and enable the students to have a grasp of Data Structures and Algorithms.
- System unit: the part of a computer that houses the primary devices that perform operations and produce results for complex calculations
- Input: a device that feeds data into a computer, such as a keyboard or mouse; is called an input device
- Output: a result produced by a computer that is internal to the system (from one program or process to another) or external to it (from a program or process to an output device) but internal to an output device (modem, monitor, printer, etc.)
- Storage devices: device for recording/storing information/data
- Program: set of instructions that tell the computer what to do or how to solve a given task
- Application Software: software products that are designed to satisfy a particular need of a particular environment
- Operating systems: a program that acts as an interface between the software and the computer hardware
- Utility programs: programs that perform a specific task related to the management of computer functions, resources, or files, such as password protection, memory management, virus protection, and file compression
- Computer generations: a change in technology a computer is/was being used
Class Assignment
Students are to read on basic computers and introduction to programming which are the pre-requisite courses for this module. Students are to also attempt the following questions to test if they can recall what they know and can well prepare them for the data structure and algorithm course.
Check your understanding!
Instructions
The following questions will help gauge how much you already know about basic computing and introduction to programming and which are the pre-requisites of data structure and algorithm.
- Define the following terms:
- computer
- programming
- syntax
- Briefly describe the following terms:
- storage devices
- software
- hardware
- Distinguish between application and operating system software.
- Feedback
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- Definition of the terms
- computer: an electronic data processing device which
- accepts and stores data input,
- processes the data input, and
- generates the output in a required format.
- programming: is the writing of a set of instructions for completing some specific task
- syntax: the structure and rules (grammar) of a programming language
- computer: an electronic data processing device which
- Briefly describe the following
- storage devices:
- devices for recording (storing) information (data).
- may hold information, process information, or both
- Electronic data storage requires electrical power to store and retrieve that data.
- Electromagnetic data may be stored in either an analog data or digital data format on a variety of media.
- software:
- is any set of machine-readable instructions that directs a computer’s processor to perform specific operations.
- includes computer programs, libraries and their associated documentation
- is stored in computer memory and cannot be touched i.e. it is intangible
- is categorized as system and application software
- hardware:
- is the physical component of computers
- refers to the physical parts or components of a computer such as the monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard drive disk (HDD), system unit (graphic cards, sound cards, memory, motherboard and chips), etc. all of which are physical objects that can be touched (known as tangible)
- storage devices:
- Distinguishing between application and operating system software:
Application system software
- are also called the end-user software or productivity programs as they enable the user to create tasks
- is also a set of one or more programs designed to carry out operations for a specific problem
- examples include Ms word, Ms excel, a library system etc
Operating system software
- is software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs
- It performs basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers
- examples DOS, Windows MAC OS, Unix etc
- Definition of the terms
Grading Scheme
The marks will be awarded as shown below
| question | sub-question | marks awarded |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | (a). | 2 |
| (b). | 2 | |
| (c). | 2 | |
| 02 | a). | 2 |
| b). | 2 | |
| c). | 2 | |
| 03 | each term will be awarded no more than 3 marks | 6 |
| Total | 18 |
Unit Readings and Other Resources
The readings in this unit are to be found at the course-level section “Readings and Other Resources”.