WIX1002

Fundamentals of Programming
Semester 1 2015/2016

Chapter 1
Problem Solving in Programming
Contents
 Introduction
 Java
 Problem Solving
 Pseudocode
 Flow Chart
 Sample Java Program
Introduction
 A computer can be define as an electronic machine,
operating under the control of instructions stored in its
own memory, that can accept data, manipulate that data
and produce results that can be stored for future use.
 These set of instructions is called program.
 A program contains a large number of operations and a
computer must be programmed to perform different
tasks.
 A programming language can be divided into machine
language, assembly language and high level
language.
Introduction
 Machine Language
 It is the natural language of a particular computer.

 It is defined by the hardware design of the computer.

 It consist of strings of number (0 and 1) that construct

computers to perform their operations.
 It is machine dependent, particular machine
language can be used only for one type of computer.
 It is cumbersome for humans.
Introduction
 Assembly Language
 It is the English-like abbreviations languages.

 Translator programs called assemblers were

developed to convert assembly language programs to
machine language at computer speeds.
 It is more clearer and more easier to understand as
compare to machine language.
 However, it requires many statements in order to
perform a simple tasks.
 Example, MOV AL, 88h
Introduction
 High Level Language
 It is developed to speed the programming process.

 It was developed in which single statements could be

written to accomplish substantial tasks.
 Compiler is used to convert high level language
programs into machine language.
 High level languages allow programmers to write
instructions that look almost like everyday English and
contain commonly used mathematical notations.
 Java is one of the High Level language.
Java
 Java is an Object-Oriented Programming language.
 In OOP, all the things around us is made up of objects,
such as people, buildings, vehicles, and etc. Each of the
object will has the ability to perform certain actions and
these actions will has some effect on some other objects
in the world. Example a people driving a car.
 Java is a well-know programming language for different
applications such as console application, desktop
application, distributed application, Internet application
and mobile application.
 Besides, Java can be used to develop Java applet
which can be executed in Web browser or applet viewer.
Java
 Java programs normally go through five phases to be
executed. These are: edit, compile, load, verify and
execute.
 Phase 1 - Edit
 This phase consists of editing a file. This is
accomplished with an editor program or Integrated
Development Environment (IDE). Some of the
popular IDE includes NetBeans, Eclipse, Jcreator
and JDeveloper.
 Java program file names end with .java extension.
The file name must be same as the Class name.
Java
 Phase 2 – Compile
 In this phase, the Java compiler translates the Java
program into byte codes. The compiler will check
whether the source code has the correct spelling and
punctuation, all the data types are correct, and all the
variables names are legal.
 Java Platform (JDK 8) provides a compiler you can
use to compile all kinds of Java programs.
 Command use to compile java file

 javac filename.java

 Syntax – The grammar rules of the language. It tells

what arrangement of words and punctuations are
allowed in a Class or program definition.
Java
 Phase 3 – Load
 The class loader will take the .class file containing the
byte codes and transfers it to memory. Java
applications are loaded into memory and executed
using the Java interpreter.
 Java interpreter is sometimes referred to as the "Java
Virtual Machine" or "Java run-time system".
 Phase 4 – Verify
 In this phase, the byte code verifier is used to verify
the byte code before executed. It ensures byte codes
do not violate security requirements.
Java
 Phase 5 – Execute
 After verification, the computer will interpret the
program one byte code at a time, thus performing the
actions specified by the program.
 Command use to execute java file

 java filename

 A Java Achieve (JAR) file can be created for a Java

application that consists of multiple java files.
 Command use to execute jar file

 java –jar filename.jar

Problem Solving
 The purpose of writing a program is to solve a problem
or performing certain tasks.
 Before writing a program to solve a problem, it is
essential to have a clear understanding of the problem
and a carefully planned approach to solve a problem.
 Any computing problem can be solved by executing a
series of actions in a specific order.
 A procedure for solving a problem in terms of the actions
to be executed and the order in which actions are to be
executed is called an algorithm.
Problem Solving
 Below are the general steps of problem solving in
programming
 First, understand the problem. Solve the problem
manually with a few examples.
 Then, devise an algorithm to solve the problem.

 After that, write the program using the programming

syntax and compile the program.
 Correct the syntax error after the compilation. Save
the program and compile again.
 Execute the program if the program is error free.

 Finally test the results against expected output. If the

results are not correct, modify the algorithm, rewrite
and recompile the program
Problem Solving
 Strategies
 What do I know about the problem?

 What is the information that I have to process in order

the find the solution?
 What does the solution look like?

 What sort of special cases exist?

 How will I recognize that I have found the solution?

Problem Solving
 Syntax – A set of rules, principles, and processes that
govern the structure of statement in a programming
language.
 Semantic – Describe the meaning of the things written
while following the syntax rules of the language.
Semantic describes the things happen when a program
is executed.
 Debugging – A process of eliminating mistakes in the
program. A mistake in a program is called a bug.
Problem Solving
 There are three commonly types of bugs or errors.
 Syntax Error
 A grammatical mistake in the program. A mistake in
the arrangement of words and punctuations.
 Logic Error
 A mistake in the underlying algorithm or semantic
error.
 Run-time Error
 An error that happen when the program is executed
Pseudocode
 Pseudocode is an informal high-level description of the
operating principle of a computer program or algorithm. It
is simply a numbered list of instructions to perform some
task.
 Best Practices
 Write only one statement per line and each statement
should express just one action.
 Get the name of the participant.

 Compute the total salary.

 Display the number of students.

Pseudocode

 Indent statements that fall inside a selection or loop

structure.
Flow Chart
 A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents an
algorithm or process.
 A flow chart shows the steps as boxes of various kinds,
and their order by connecting them with arrows.
 It is used in analysing, designing, documenting or
managing a process or program.
Flow Chart

Flow Chart Notation

Flow Chart
Flow Chart
Flow Chart

Selection Structure
Flow Chart

Repetition Structure
Flow Chart
Sample Java Program
public class FirstProgram
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
System.out.println("Welcome to Java!");
}
}

* File Name: FirstProgram.java

Sample Java Program
 Every program in Java consists of at least one class
definition. The class name of the program is
FirstProgram.
 A left brace { - begins the body of every class definition.
A right brace } - ends each class definition.
 The class contains a method named main. When the
program is run, the main method is invoked which
means the statements in the main method are executed.
 The void indicates that this method will perform a task
and will not return any information when they complete
their task.
 The statement in the sample program display the output
Welcome to Java!
Sample Java Program
 In Java:
 A program is made up of one or more classes

 A class contains one or more methods

 A method contains program statements

 Java is case sensitive. The uppercase letters and

lowercase letters must be enter correctly.
 Class are the fundamental building blocks of Java
program. Each program begin with a class definition.
 Every Java application contains a main method. The
instructions in the main method are executed when the
application starts. main method must always be static.
 Each Java statements must end with a semicolon (;)