PROGAMMING RESOURCES

This is a research task and we are allowed to do it in groups. I am working with Sangeeta Raja and we are currently deciding on the topics we must do. Here are some that we are interested in:

Error detection
• syntax
• logical
• run-time

Flowcharting
• symbols
• samples using selection and repetition

Control structures
• sequencing
• selection such as binary and case
• repetition and/or iteration such as pre and post test

After much thoughtful consideration, we finally chose to research error detection because it was a new area that we have not expkored yet and it sounded quite interesting. We have alerady done flowcharts and touched on control strucuters, therefore it was appropriate for us to choose this topic.

Selection and Repition

As we have mentioned in previous lessons Algorithms are composed of three basic structures. Sequence, Selection and Repetition.
We have already looked at sequence (the single steps in the algorithms we did before are sequence) so what are selection and repetition.
Solving a problem often involves making a decision between two or more options. In an algorithm this process of making a decision is called selection.

Describe, in plain english, an algorithm for;

(you may need to research algorithms in google.

Use the word “if” ie If red then ……)
1. Moving through a set of traffic lights.

1. Approach the traffic lights
If lights are red, stop
If lights are green, proceed
If lights are amber, slow down

2. Deciding whether to take an umbrella to school.

1. Approach the umberlla
If it is raining, take an umberella
If it is not raining dont take an umberella

3. Giving a student an A, B or C on their test.

1. Look at the students' marks
If the student receives over 95%, give them an A
If the student receives over 80, give them an B

If the student receives over 60, give them an C


Often an algorithm will often require you to repeat a task in order to solve a problem; when this is done in an algorithm the structure is called repetition.

Describe, in plain english, an algorithm for;
1. Adding the correct amount of cordial to water to make a drink.

1. Fill a quarter of a glass with coridal
2. Fill three-quarters of the glass with water
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for more cordial

2. Filling a bucket with water.

1. Get a mug
2. Fill it up with water
3. pour it into the bucket
4. Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 until the bucket is full

3. Blowing up a balloon.

1. Get a balloon and a balloon pump
2.  Put the mouth of the balloon into the pump nozzle
3. Push the pump in and out
4. Repeat the 3rd step until the balloon is filled with air.

ALGORITHMS

An algorithm is an unambiguous set of steps, which when performed correctly by a processor, will result in a process being carried out in a finite time.

 

EXAMPLE: if you were to explain to someone how to make a cup of coffee you would be defining an algorithm; 

 

 

1. boil the water,

2. place coffee in the cup,

3. place sugar in the cup,

4. add the boiling water,

5. add milk,

6. stir.

 

 

1.           Examine the algorithm above. What two properties of the algorithm enable it to correctly describe the solution to the problem of making a cup of coffee? What is it that makes an algorithm correct?(Hint: what would happen if you swapped step "6" and step "2"?)

 

• The first property that is vital in an algorithm is that the processes are in order. Any change of order will alter the ultimate outcome. Suppose you swapped step 6 and step 2, the algorithm would look like this:

1. boil the water,

6. stir.

3. place sugar in the cup,

4. add the boiling water,

5. add milk,

2. place coffee in the cup

 

Here you would actually be stirring nothing in the second step and placing coffee in cup at the end. Therefore the steps and their order are essential to an algorithm.

• The scond property, i believe, is that they have to conscie, clear and to the point. Too many complicated words will not only complicate your task but also the readers or the information process system.

 

2. Define Algorithms for the following processes.

• POSTING A LETTER:

1. Write the letter

2. Place the letter in an envelope

3. Put the envelope in the post box

• MAKING TOAST

1. Get the bread out

2. Set up the toaster

3. Put the toast in the toaster

• CALLING A FRIEND ON THE PHONE

1. Get the phone

2. Find your friends number

3. Dial that number

4. Call

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flowchart Symbols and Logic

1. What is a flowchart?
It is a method of illustrating the:

•  Flow of data through an information processing system
• The functionings within the system and
• Their sequence of their performance

2. Basic flowchart symbols :

3. With the decision making symbol (diamond) and the process symbol (rectangle), what are the rules for how many lines may enter and leave the symbol.

4. Study the sample flowcharts then create a flowchart for a coin toss where heads means Mary pays for the pizza and Tales means Bill pays.

STORYBOARD

This was my rough story board that i used to base my website on :

Click on it for a better view :)

The Internet and Web Design

WHAT IS A PROTOCOL?
A set of formal rules describing how to transmit data, especially across a network. Low level protocols define the electrical and physical standards to be observed, bit- and byte-ordering and the transmission and error detection and correction of the bit stream. High level protocols deal with the data formatting, including the syntax of messages, the terminal to computer dialogue, character sets, sequencing of messages etc.

TCP: Also called Transmission Control Protocol is one of the core principles from the internet protocol suite
IP: Internet Protocol, is the principal communications protocol used for relaying internet packets across an internetwork using the Internet Protocol Suite.
HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol is a networking protocol for distributed, collaborative, hypermedia information systems 
SMTP: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is an Internet standard for electronic mail (e-mail) transmission across Internet Protocol (IP) networks.  
POP:  the Post Office Protocol (POP) is an application-layer Internet standard protocol used by local e-mail clients to retrieve e-mail from a remote server over a TCP/IP connection
FTP: File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used to copy a file from one host to another over a TCP-based network, such as the Internet.  

History Of The Internet

1. • How did the internet originate?

   The Internet was originally developed by DARPA - the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - as a means to share information on defense research between involved universities and defense research facilities.
   
   Scientists could question and answer each other. It was originally called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency NETwork). The concept was developed starting in 1964, and the first messages passed were between UCLA and the Stanford Research Institute in 1969. Leonard Kleinrock of MIT had published the first paper on packet switching theory in 1961. Since networking computers was new to begin with, standards were being developed on the fly. Once the concept was proven, the organizations involved started to lay out some ground rules for standardization.
   
   
   Tim Berners-Lee is the person who invented the internet as we know it today, he invented the world wide web. On 25 December 1990, with the help of Robert Cailliau and a young student at CERN, he implemented the first successful communication between a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) client and server via the Internet.On 25 December 1990, with the help of Robert Cailliau and a young student at CERN, he implemented the first successful communication between a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) client and server via the Internet.
   
   
   There wasn't just ONE person who invented the Internet. The Internet is just a way to view files and information that someone puts onto a server. The Internet is just a way to access the information. Leonard Kleinrock was the first person to write a paper on the idea of packet switching (which is essential for the Internet to work. He wrote this idea in 1961.

   
   

   Who were the people most responsible for creating it?

   ARPANET - Defense Advanced Research Project Agency. Rand Corporation in America (military network), NPL - National Physical Laboratory (commercial network) and Cycladas (scientific network) 

   • What system immediately preceded the internet? What was it’s purpose?

   The ARPANET came before the internet with the purpose of transfering knowledge and avoid doubling of research that already existed.

   • What is an IP packet? What is it comprised of?

    Information is disassembled into small blocks of data, sent independently to the destination address, then reassembled at the receiving end. Each block of data is known as an IP packet.

   • What does TCP stand for? How does TCP deal with lost IP packets?

   TCP stands for Transfer Control Protocol. The protocol  is responsible for orchestrating the movement of IP packets through cyberspace. TCP is “layered” on top of the addressing protocol (IP) to break requests into small packets, monitor the arrival of each IP packet at the destination address, call for the re-transmission of missing packets, and reassemble the packets into the original form. This protocol suite is known as TCP/IP, a term likely familiar to anyone who has setup an Internet connection.

   
   

   Why do computer people like everything in letters ?

   The computer registers everything in numbers which is difficult for people to remember therefore letters and words are used as alternatives.

ADDING BUTTONS TO FORMS

Im just posting this on the blog because i think this is important and i will be constantly referring ot it so i thought it would be good if it was on my blog :)

Buttons can be used to control database functions in this case we will create a button to open a query. Open a database that has a query in it then;

1. Create a form using design view.
2. Click on the Control Wizard tool.
3. Click the Command Button tool.
4. Click on the form where you want the button to appear.
5. The window shown below will appear. Select Miscellaneous and Run Query as shown. Click next.
6. Select the appropriate query (you have to have made a query before hand). Click next.
7. Label the button by selecting the text option. Click next.
8. Name the button command then click finish.
9. While still in design view create labels for your form using the Aa tool.
10. You can colour the background by simply right clicking on it and choosing Fill/Back Colour.
11. Resize and position the queries as required then click save to have them permanently appear in that position each time the button is clicked.

Querying a database

Questions:
What sort of information has the query selected:
All the products with a unit price of $10

Enter another value in the criteria row of the cost column.
I entered 15


What sort of information has this second query selected?
All the products with a unit price of $15

Design the following queries and describe the type of information they are selecting.

This query allows us to look at all products and their unit prices that have a reorder level of 10. (as you can see from below)

< this query enables us to look at products and their reorder levels with the units in stock ascending (as you can see below:)

Basic database: Tables

Tables store data, so they're essential building blocks of any database.
A database should have a separate table for every major subject, such as employee records, customer orders, shipping methods, or suppliers. Data should not be duplicated in multiple tables. Duplicating data is a common error, but it's easy to avoid if you structure your tables well.
Each table contains rows called records and columns called fields.

The fields in your database have settings that determine the type of data they can store, how the data is displayed, and what you can do with the data.One important setting for fields is the data type, including number, text, currency (money), and date/time (shown together as one type in Access). Fields also have properties that control the details of information inside them, including a character length, a default value, and a validation rule that makes sure the data meets certain criteria.

To distinguish one record from another, tables can contain a primary key field. A primary key separates similar information and makes each record unique. It also brings information together. You relate one table to another using a primary key. This is how tables share data, and how you can avoid repeating information in both the tables. When tables relate, the primary key of one table becomes a foreign key of the other table.

Using An Electronic Database

What is a database?

A database is a structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system.

Examples of Databases

-apple

- google

-microsoft

-nokia

-yahoo

-bing

1.      I know there is a computer shop in the main street of Katoomba (Katoomba St.), but I don’t know its name. See if you can find the number for me.

The number of the store is 122 and their phone number is 4782 2228.

2.      Sally lives in Merrylands on Fowler Rd. and she wants to know the closest florist to where she lives. Help her out (see if you can get her a map).

The closest florist to her is M & A Fresh Cut Flowers at 91a Fowler Rd, Merrylands

3.      You want the phone numbers of some motels in Noosa QLD. But of course your phone book only has NSW numbers?





4.      Just for fun try the white pages and see if you can find a map of you or your friends house.

This is a map showing my house :)

 Is the yellow/white pages a database? Give reasons for your answer.

Yes it is because it is a collection of records stored within a computer system.

 What can you see as some of the advantages of using this electronic database compared to the conventional paper based version of the yellow pages?

There are many advantages such as:

• it is easier to use as we do not need to search through pages of information in order to find what we desire. We can put it into the search bar and will have the results immediately, saving a lot of time and getting results without spending large amounts of time searching.
• It can also be accessed from anywhere there is an internet connection whereas the paper based version can only be accessed where it is printed or it would need to be carried around.
• using the electronic database is very environmentally friendly as it means trees do not need to be felled to make paper.

 Do you see any dangers or disadvantages in this online version of the yellow pages?

Yes, there are many dangers and disadvantages such as:

• someone could use your name and address to stalk you
• someone could pretend to be you and do wrong things using your name and address meaning you would get into trouble for it

DATABASE DEFINITIONS

GLOSSARY


FEILD: A specific classification under which the same format goes under
RECORD: Basically a row of all the information regarding one specific item. Eg. A record can be of all of the product inforamtion of a specific beverage.
FILE: A collection of data or information that has a name, called the filename. Almost all information stored in a computer must be in a file.
QUERY: a series of questions to extract specific information.
DATABASE:  A collection of information organized in such a way that a computer program can quickly select desired pieces of data
REPORT:  Organised and formatted piece of data. Most database management systems include a report writer that enables you to use particular pieces of information and generate reports
DBMs: A collection of programs that enables you to store, modify, and extract information from a database
DATA DICTIONARY: . A data dictionary contains a list of all files in the database, the number of records in each file, and the names and types of each field
DATA TYPE: A particular type of information being classified.