ISD TOPIC 4 NOTES
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)
Represents 128 characters (7 bits).
Includes English letters, digits, and basic symbols.
Limitation: Cannot represent non-Latin scripts (e.g., Chinese, Arabic).
Unicode
Supports over 1 million characters (including emojis, mathematical symbols, and scripts from various
languages).
Uses variable-length encoding (UTF-8, UTF-16, UTF-32).
Advantage: Backward-compatible with ASCII (UTF-8 matches ASCII for the first 128 characters).
Integer Data Type
Stored as binary numbers directly in memory.
Fixed size (e.g., 32-bit or 64-bit integers).
String Data Type
Stored as a sequence of character codes (ASCII/Unicode).
Often includes null termination or length prefix.
EBCDIC (Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code)
Developed by IBM for mainframe computers.
Not used in modern Windows-based systems (which primarily use ASCII/Unicode)
Data Manipulation Operations
Different Data Types = Different Operations
Numeric Types (int, float): Support arithmetic operations (+, -, *, /).
Strings: Support concatenation ("Hello" + "World" = "HelloWorld") but not subtraction.
Booleans: Support logical operations (AND, OR, NOT).
Notes on Problem-Solving in Computer Programming
Main Steps of the Problem-Solving Process
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Generate notes Subject Outcome 4: Describe the principles used in designing a computer program.
Learning Outcomes:
The student should be able to:
• Explain the methods of specifying problems.
• Explain the techniques used to research problems in terms of inputs and outputs.
• Explain how to evaluate the viability of developing computer programs to solve problems.
• Identify the issues involved in assessing the viability of developing computer programs.
• Explain the features of a computer program that can solve a given problem.
Subject Outcome 4: Principles of Designing a Computer Program
Learning Outcomes:
The student should be able to:
1. Methods of Specifying Problems
Problem Definition: Clearly stating the problem to be solved.
Requirements Gathering: Identifying what the program must achieve.
Use of Problem-Solving Techniques:
Decomposition: Breaking down a problem into smaller, manageable parts.
Abstraction: Focusing on essential features while ignoring irrelevant details.
Documentation: Writing clear specifications (e.g., problem statements, flowcharts, pseudocode).
2. Techniques for Researching Problems (Inputs & Outputs)
Input Analysis: Identifying required data inputs (e.g., user inputs, files, sensors).
Output Determination: Defining expected results (e.g., reports, calculations, visualizations).
Process Modeling:
Flowcharts: Visual representation of steps.
Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs): Showing how data moves through a system.
Use of Algorithms: Step-by-step procedures to transform inputs into outputs.
3. Evaluating the Viability of Developing Computer Programs
Feasibility Study:
Technical Feasibility: Can the problem be solved with current technology?
Economic Feasibility: Is the solution cost-effective?
Operational Feasibility: Will users adopt the solution?
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Weighing development costs against potential benefits.
Time Constraints: Assessing if the solution can be developed within required deadlines.
4. Issues in Assessing Viability
Resource Availability: Hardware, software, and skilled personnel.
Complexity of the Problem: Some problems may be too difficult or time-consuming to automate.
User Requirements: Changing or unclear requirements can affect success.
Maintenance & Scalability: Long-term sustainability of the program.
Legal & Ethical Considerations: Compliance with laws (e.g., data protection).
5. Features of a Computer Program That Solves a Given Problem
Correctness: Produces accurate results for all possible inputs.
Efficiency: Optimizes resource usage (CPU, memory, time).
User-Friendliness: Intuitive interface and ease of use.
Modularity: Divided into reusable components/functions.
Robustness: Handles errors and unexpected inputs gracefully.
Scalability: Can handle increased workloads.
Maintainability: Easy to update and debug.
Documentation: Clear instructions for users and developers.
Summary:
Designing a computer program involves clearly defining the problem, analyzing inputs/outputs,
assessing feasibility, and ensuring the final solution is efficient, scalable, and maintainable. Proper
planning and evaluation are crucial for successful program development.
Generate notes tion number.
ASCII and Unicode are examples of coding systems used to represent characters in computers.
The integer data type is stored in memory in the same way as the string data type.
EBCDIC is a coding system primarily used in modern Windows-based systems.
Data manipulation operations (like addition or concatenation) work the same way for all data types.
Unicode supports a wider range of characters (including emojis and non-Latin scripts) compared to
ASCII.
Notes on Data Representation & Coding Systems
Key Statements & Corrections
1. ASCII and Unicode as Character Encoding Systems
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)
Represents 128 characters (7 bits).
Includes English letters, digits, and basic symbols.
Limitation: Cannot represent non-Latin scripts (e.g., Chinese, Arabic).
Unicode
Supports over 1 million characters (including emojis, mathematical symbols, and scripts from various
languages).
Uses variable-length encoding (UTF-8, UTF-16, UTF-32).
Advantage: Backward-compatible with ASCII (UTF-8 matches ASCII for the first 128 characters).
"Unicode supports a wider range of characters (including emojis and non-Latin scripts) compared to
ASCII."
2. Integer vs. String Storage in Memory
Integer Data Type
Stored as binary numbers directly in memory.
Fixed size (e.g., 32-bit or 64-bit integers).
String Data Type
Stored as a sequence of character codes (ASCII/Unicode).
Often includes null termination or length prefix.
in the same way as the string
3. EBCDIC Usage
EBCDIC (Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code)
Developed by IBM for mainframe computers.
Not used in modern Windows-based systems (which primarily use ASCII/Unicode).
4. Data Manipulation Operations
Different Data Types = Different Operations
Numeric Types (int, float): Support arithmetic operations (+, -, *, /).
Strings: Support concatenation ("Hello" + "World" = "HelloWorld") but not subtraction.
Booleans: Support logical operations (AND, OR, NOT).
Summary Table
Concept Correct Statement Incorrect Statement
ASCII vs. Unicode Unicode supports more characters (emojis, non-Latin scripts). ASCII can
represent all global characters.
Integer vs. String Storage Integers stored as binary; strings as encoded characters. Integers and
strings stored the same way.
EBCDIC Usage Used in IBM mainframes, not Windows. Primarily used in Windows.
Data Manipulation Operations vary by data type (numbers: math; strings: concatenation). All
operations work the same for all types.
Key Takeaways
Unicode > ASCII in character support.
Different data types have different storage & operations.
EBCDIC is legacy (IBM), not modern Windows.
Always verify how data types are stored and manipulated.
Why is it important to review and test a solution after implementation?
Notes on Problem-Solving in Computer Programming
1. Main Steps of the Problem-Solving Process
Step Description
1. Problem Definition Clearly understand and define the problem. Identify inputs, outputs, and
constraints.
2. Analysis & Research Break down the problem into smaller parts. Research possible approaches and
tools.
3. Algorithm Design Develop a step-by-step procedure (algorithm) to solve the problem (e.g.,
pseudocode, flowchart).
4. Implementation (Coding) Translate the algorithm into a programming language (e.g., Python,
Java).
5. Testing & Debugging Run the program with test cases to check correctness. Fix errors (bugs) if any.
6. Optimization & Refinement Improve efficiency (speed, memory usage) and readability of the code.
7. Documentation Write comments and user guides for future reference
2. Importance of Reviewing & Testing After Implementation
Ensures Correctness: Verifies that the program produces the expected results.
Identifies Bugs: Catches logical errors, runtime errors, or unexpected behaviors.
Improves Reliability: Reduces crashes and failures in real-world use.
Validates Efficiency: Checks if the solution meets performance requirements.
Enhances User Experience: Ensures the program is user-friendly and handles edge cases.
Facilitates Maintenance: Makes future updates easier with well-tested code.
