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Introduction to Computer Science

This document provides an overview of computer science, covering key areas such as algorithms, programming, data structures, and computer architecture. It includes basic programming concepts, algorithm efficiency, and various data structures, along with their use cases. Additionally, it touches on the theory of computation and key fields within computer science, offering study tips for learners.

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4 views

Introduction to Computer Science

This document provides an overview of computer science, covering key areas such as algorithms, programming, data structures, and computer architecture. It includes basic programming concepts, algorithm efficiency, and various data structures, along with their use cases. Additionally, it touches on the theory of computation and key fields within computer science, offering study tips for learners.

Uploaded by

singomillionaire
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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### **Introduction to Computer Science – Study Notes**

#### **1. What is Computer Science?**

- **Definition:** The study of computation, algorithms, data structures, and the design of
software/hardware systems.

- **Key Areas:**

- **Algorithms & Problem-Solving** (efficiency, correctness)

- **Programming** (writing code to execute tasks)

- **Data Structures** (organizing and storing data)

- **Computer Architecture** (how hardware works)

- **Theory of Computation** (what problems can computers solve?)

---

#### **2. Basics of Programming**

- **Program:** A set of instructions for a computer to execute.

- **Common First Languages:** Python, Java, C++, JavaScript.

- **Basic Concepts:**

- **Variables** (containers for data, e.g., `x = 5`)

- **Control Structures** (`if` statements, loops)

- **Functions** (reusable blocks of code)

- **Syntax & Debugging** (fixing errors in code)

**Example (Python):**

```python

if x > 10:

print("x is large")

else:

print("x is small")

```
---

#### **3. Algorithms & Efficiency**

- **Algorithm:** Step-by-step procedure to solve a problem.

- **Big-O Notation:** Measures how fast an algorithm grows (time/space complexity).

- **O(1)** – Constant time (fastest)

- **O(n)** – Linear time (scales with input size)

- **O(n²)** – Quadratic time (slow for large inputs)

**Example:**

- **Linear Search** → O(n)

- **Binary Search** → O(log n) (faster, but requires sorted data)

---

#### **4. Data Structures**

- **Arrays/Lists** – Ordered, index-based (e.g., `[1, 2, 3]`).

- **Linked Lists** – Nodes connected by pointers.

- **Stacks (LIFO) & Queues (FIFO)** – Different insertion/removal rules.

- **Hash Tables** – Fast key-value lookups (O(1) average time).

- **Trees & Graphs** – Hierarchical/networked data.

**Use Cases:**

- **Arrays** → Fast access by index.

- **Hash Tables** → Storing dictionaries (e.g., usernames & passwords).

---

#### **5. Computer Architecture Basics**

- **CPU** – Executes instructions (fetch, decode, execute).

- **Memory (RAM vs. Storage)** – RAM is fast but temporary; storage is persistent.
- **Binary & Logic Gates** – Computers use 1s and 0s (AND, OR, NOT gates).

**Moore’s Law:** Computing power doubles ~every 2 years (slowing now).

---

#### **6. Theory of Computation**

- **Turing Machine** – Abstract model of computation (what problems can be solved?).

- **P vs. NP Problem** – Can problems verified quickly also be *solved* quickly? (Unresolved!)

---

#### **7. Key Fields in CS**

- **AI/Machine Learning** (training models to predict data)

- **Cybersecurity** (protecting systems from attacks)

- **Databases** (storing & retrieving data efficiently)

- **Networking** (how data travels over the internet)

- **Software Engineering** (building large-scale applications)

---

### **Study Tips:**

✔ **Practice Coding Daily** (use platforms like LeetCode, Codecademy).

✔ **Draw Diagrams** for algorithms/data structures.

✔ **Explain Concepts Out Loud** (teach a friend!).

✔ **Debug by Breaking Problems Down** (small steps → big solution).

**Fun Fact:** The first "bug" was a literal moth stuck in a computer (1947)! 🐛💻

Would you like deeper dives into any topic? (e.g., Python syntax, sorting algorithms, etc.)

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