Content

• Steps
• Tips

Studying computer science doesn't mean programming; it means learning algorithms (a finite sequence of steps that someone or something understands to accomplish a specific task). Many computer scientists do not program at all. Edsger Dijkstra once said: "Computer science is no more concerned with computers than astronomy is with telescopes."

Steps

1. 1 To be a computer scientist is to constantly learn, to be a student forever. Technologies are changing, new programming languages, new algorithms are being developed: it is necessary to constantly learn new things in order to keep abreast of things.
2. 2 Start with pseudocode. Pseudocode is not really a programming language, but it is a way to represent a program in English. The algorithm that is closest and familiar to you is on the shampoo bottle: Soap, rinse, repeat. This is the algorithm. It is understandable for you ("Computer Agent") and contains a finite number of steps.
3. 3 Test your pseudocode. The example labeled on the shampoo bottle is not a good algorithm for two reasons: it doesn't have an end condition, and it doesn't tell you which procedure to repeat. Repeat lathering? Or just rinsing. The best example would be “Step 1 - Lather. Step 2 - rinse. Step 3 - Repeat Step 1 and Step 2 (2-3 times for best results) and End (Exit) ”. This algorithm is clear to you, has a termination condition (a finite number of steps) and is very accurate.
4. 4 Try to write algorithms for all activities. For example, how to move from one building on campus to another, or how to make a casserole. Soon, you'll be seeing algorithms everywhere!
5. 5 After you learn how to compose algorithms, the programming process will be more understandable to you. Buy the book and read it in its entirety to learn the programming language. Don't use online tutorials to learn a language as they are written by amateurs, not professionals.
   • However, do not hesitate to turn to the Internet for help. You can start learning object-oriented languages ​​like Java and C ++ right away, but it's still better to start with procedural languages ​​like C because they are completely algorithm-based.
6. 6 Programming is the process of translating pseudocode into a programming language. The more time you spend writing pseudocode, the less you will type the program and rack your brains in the future.

Tips

• Computer science encompasses many areas such as computer design and development, databases, computer security, computer programming languages. Therefore, it is a wise decision to focus on one or more areas that interest you.
• After learning one programming language, learn another, similar language, as you are still only translating the pseudocode into the actual language.
• The whiteboard is the best place to write the algorithm.