University Course
CS50: Introduction to Computer Science
If you want to learn about computer science and programming,
CS50 is a great place to start. This course, taught by Dr. David
Malin of Harvard University, is considered one of the best
computer science courses in the world. Throughout a series of
lectures, Dr. Malin will teach you how to think algorithmically and
solve problems efficiently. Check the description for additional
resources that accompany the course.
What is Computer Science?
Computer science is problem-solving. This class will help you
learn how to think more methodically, carefully, and precisely.
Programming is not just about working in isolation on your
computer, it is about creating something that can solve a
problem. The ability to bring a computer to life is gratifying and
challenging. You will run into mistakes, otherwise known as bugs,
but the trick is to give it enough time, take a break, and come
back to it. There is nothing better than the sense of gratification
and pride when you get something to work.
The Benefits of Learning Programming
Learning to program will help you think like a computer scientist
and a programmer. It does not take much to start doing so.
Problem-solving is something we do all the time, but learning to
program helps clean up your thoughts and helps you learn how to
think more methodically, carefully, and correctly.
Binary Counting
Computers speak in binary, which means they only have two
digits at their disposal - 0 and 1. The world of computers needs to
decide in advance how to represent inputs and outputs. If a
computer wants to count past one, it needs to use a different
pattern of zeros and ones. This is known as binary counting
where each digit represents a power of two.