(BCA-102) Programming Principle & Algorithm (PPA)

The course Programming Principle & Algorithm (PPA) with code BCA-102 is typically part of the Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) curriculum, often included in the first semester. It introduces foundational concepts in programming and algorithm design, which are critical for building problem-solving skills and understanding programming structures. Course Objectives: Understand the principles of programming. Learn the steps involved in algorithm design. Implement algorithms using a high-level programming language. Analyze problems and design efficient solutions. Key Topics in BCA-102: 1. Basics of Programming: Introduction to Programming: Definition and importance of programming. Types of programming languages: low-level, high-level, and scripting languages. Program Structure: Syntax, semantics, and coding standards. Compilation, interpretation, and execution. 2. Programming Principles: Problem-Solving Techniques: Steps in problem-solving: defining the problem, breaking it into subproblems, and writing pseudocode. Structured Programming: Top-down approach. Modular programming (functions, procedures). Control Structures: Sequential, conditional, and iterative constructs. Examples: if, switch, for, while, do-while. 3. Algorithms: Definition of an Algorithm: Characteristics of a good algorithm (finiteness, correctness, etc.). Writing Algorithms: Understanding and writing step-by-step instructions for solving problems. Examples: factorial calculation, Fibonacci series, prime number detection. Complexity Analysis: Time and space complexity basics. Big-O notation. 4. Basic Data Structures: Arrays, strings, and pointers. Basic operations: insertion, deletion, traversal, and searching. 5. Sorting and Searching Algorithms: Sorting Techniques: Bubble sort, selection sort, insertion sort, quicksort, and merge sort. Searching Techniques: Linear search and binary search. 6. Implementation in a Programming Language (C/Java/Python): Writing and executing simple programs. Use of variables, data types, operators, and expressions. Input and output operations. Basic debugging techniques. 7. Recursion: Concept of recursion. Applications of recursion (e.g., factorial, Tower of Hanoi, Fibonacci). 8. Case Studies and Applications: Real-life problem-solving using programming and algorithm design. Learning Outcomes: Develop a strong understanding of basic programming constructs. Gain the ability to design efficient algorithms for solving problems. Understand how to implement algorithms in a programming language. Analyze and optimize code for better performance.