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Design Process
In the video below, the father gives his kids a coding challenge by first defining a problem: he needs to create a peanut butter & jelly sandwich without knowing how
He had them brainstorm about the design process of creating a PB&J sandwich
The purpose of the design process in computers is to plan and structure the code (instructions)
Algorithms
After brainstorming their design process, the kids will create an algorithm (a step-by-step set of instructions) for the dad to follow. Programmers create flow charts to visually organize algorithms. Computers follow algorithms exactly as they are written, without 'figuring out' what the coders meant
Computers are not smart and need specific instructions
But, they can do millions of instructions in a second!
Debugging
When the kids test their sequence with the dad, they notice the errors (bugs) in their code
The kids then adjusted their commands and retested their sequence. This process is called debugging
(The first computer was the size of a classroom, and the first computer error was a moth stuck in the machine - hence the term bug)
Loops & Variables
A loop is a repeated sequence of code
Loops are useful in coding by saving space when you have to repeat commands
The fewer lines of code you use in a program, the more efficient it is
A variable is a container (or box) that can store information (like a number, name, or value). A variable can also be a stand-in for an unknown value (like in Algebra, y=mx+b)
Computers Need Coding
Every single program, app, and game a computer runs needs coding to work
Coding is writing a list of specific commands (instructions) to tell a computer how to solve a problem
Watch the video and think about how this relates to coding a computer
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