Year 9 programming basics

• Computing
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• GCSE

Year 9 programming basics

66, 21, 38, 15, 89, 49 Write the order of the list after the first pass.

What do we have to do the previous list in order to perform a binary search?

Learning Intension

To be able to identify and use basic data types and operators. Use operators and comparions to perform basic arithmetic and assign values to constants and variables.

Data types

What data types do you know?

Programming languages store data and their type, this is important when data is being used. 

Integer	int	whole numbers only	0, 6, 10293
Real/float	real/float	numbers with a decimal point	0.15, -5.87
Boolean	bool	true or false	True, yes
Character	char	single letter, number, symbol	'A', '5', '!'
String	str	collection of characters	'FSTM', '1! 9'

These data types allocate different amouts of memory, meaning calling using string for a character is memory ineffecient. This highlights why correct typing is important.  

Integer	4 bytes
Real/float	4 bytes
Boolean	1 bit
Character	1 byte
String	1 byte for every character

4 or 8 bytes is the length of a 'word'. 'word' is the unit data for how many bits the cpu can read/write at one time, this is dependent on cpu architecture 32b vs 64b. In olden times games consoles were referenced by their bit size.

Nes	8 bit
Snes	16 bit
Ps	32 bit
N64	64 bit

Casting is used to change data types, this can be done using functions with the data type required.

- int()

- real()

- bool()

- str()

You can also find ASCII numbers or characters using functions.

- ASC(b)  converts to 98

- CHR(98) converts to 'b'

Initial	N
Surname	Chapman
Age	27
Height in metres	1.64
Married	No

Integer

Real/float

Boolean

Character

String

What is a constant or variable?

- Data can be stored as ether.

- Constant is a value assigned (=) when initialised and cannot be changed.

- Variables can have their value changed but not their type.

- Casting creates a new variable with the new type.

- In other languages eg C types need to be assigned when a variable is made example int age = 27.

Operators are special characters, they perform certain functions. These are the same as operators in maths.

- Addition, subtraction, division and multiplication.

- Exponentiation, used to raise a number to a power.

- Quotient returns the whole number part.

- Modulus return the remainder part.

Addition	+	5 + 5	10
Subtraction	-	5 - 5	0
Division	/	5 / 5	1
Multiplication	*	5 * 5	25
Exponential	^ or	2 ^ 5	32
Quotient	DIV	20 DIV 3	6
Modulus	MOD or %	20 MOD 3	2

Assignment vs comparison operators. The assignment operator = assigns values to constants or variables. The comparison operator == is for comparision operators. Comparisons produce a true or false answer.

==	Equal to	5 == 5	5 == 7
!=	Not equal to	6 != 7	6 != 6
<	Less than	4 < 10	10< 4
>	Greater than	10 > 4	4 > 10
<=	Less or equal to	7 <= 8	11 <= 10
>=	Greater or equal to	3 >= 3	9 >= 12

True

False

What line is a constant on?

1. 1
2. 5
3. 6
4. 10

What line is a variable on?

1. 1
2. 5
3. 6
4. 10

What value is stored in mod?

1. 1
2. 5
3. 6
4. 10

What is printed on line 9?

1. True
2. 5
3. 15
4. False

Python

C#

Java

Objective-C

Kotlin

Think of an IDE like a toolbox for a programmer. Just as a builder needs tools like a hammer, saw, and level to construct a house, a programmer uses tools within an IDE to build, run, and test their code.

Definition: “An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is software that helps you write, run, and debug programs more easily. It combines all the tools a programmer needs in one place.”

Features on an IDE:

- Text Editor: Where you write your code, like using a notebook.

- Run/Execute Button: Allows you to see what your code does instantly.

- Debugger: Helps find and fix mistakes in your code.

- Output Window: Displays the results of your code, like a calculator screen.

Benefits of an IDE:

Ease of Use: An IDE can check your code for errors as you type, saving time.

Efficiency: You don’t have to switch between multiple tools or programs.

Learning Support: Many IDEs provide helpful hints and autocomplete features for beginners.

Run Button

Text Editor

Debugger

Output Window

A procedure is a reusable block of code that performs a specific task. This is for code effeciency and saves the need for writting code.

def procedureName():

bbbbb

b        bb

bbbbb

b.       bb

bbbbb

What is this symbol called?

1. Terminator (start/end)
2. Process
3. Input/output
4. Decision

What is this symbol called?

1. Terminator (start/end)
2. Process
3. Input/output
4. Decision

What is this symbol called?

1. Terminator (start/end)
2. Process
3. Input/output
4. Decision

An algorithm is a list of steps to follow in order to solve a problem.

Let's create an algorithm to sign in to our student accounts.

1. Take a user input for username

2. Take a user input for password

3. Check if username = username and password = password then log in

4. Else ask them to try again tries +1

5. If tries > 3 then lock account

Interpretered language is read line by line and translated using a dictionary. 

Python is an example of a interpreted language, programms run slower as real time translation is required.

A compiled language is translated before execution by a compiler, which converts the entire source code into a standalone executable file (e.g., .exe). This allows the program to run faster because it doesn't require real-time translation. C is an example of a compiled language.

How would you rate your current programming basics understanding?

😒🙁😐🙂😃

One thing I learned this lesson was.