Computer Programming

Year
1
Academic year
2020-2021
Code
01005685
Subject Area
Engineering Sciences
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Compulsory
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

Mathematics, 12º year level

English, at basic level.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical classes consist of an oral presentation by the teacher, supported by the projection of slides in PowerPoint. The theoretical presentation is interspersed with small code examples.

Practical classes take place in a room with 20 individual computers. Classes consist basically in solving a set of exercises proposed by the teacher. As the semester progresses, the teacher will gradually leave students the responsibility to devise their strategy to attack the problem, building the flowchart and subsequent implementation.     

Learning Outcomes

The primary objective of the present discipline of Computer Programming, which is taught to students that are not supposed to be specialists in Informatics, is not merely that of teaching a programming language. In fact, the programming language must be understood as only an aid for communicating with the computer. The aim is, rather, to train students for the correct strategy to approach and solve problem – this includes the mental discipline, the acquisition strategies of attack problems, logical reasoning, the ability to build structures of variables and algorithms that enable efficient resolution of problems. This is a huge asset for the rest of the course and, later, for professional life. The discipline of Computer Programming should thus improve the student's ability to address the problems, define a logical analysis and a corresponding resolution strategy.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Theoretical classes:

1. Basics. 1.1 - Computer architecture. 1.2 - Numbering systems and conversions. 1.3 - Types of problems that can be solved by programming and difficulties. 1.4 - Programming languages

2. Basic Elements of Visual Basic language and basics of the GUI.

3. Understanding data types. Arithmetic operators and precedence.

4. Schemes for structured programming. Flowcharts. 4.1 – Conditionals: If-Then; Select Case. 4.2 – Loops: For-Next; Do-Loop. 4.3 - Procedures: subroutines, functions

5. Scope of Variables. Indexed variables

6. Operations for reading and writing files.

7. Managing errors.

8. Recursion

 

Practical classes:

Apart from other demo applications of basic concepts, applications are implemented to: - Converting numbers between numbering bases - Linear regression by the least squares method - Calculation of integrals by the method of trapezius - Sorting

Head Lecturer(s)

António Manuel Gameiro Lopes

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Evaluation consists of a composite proof of a theoretical component, to respond on the proof sheet and a practical component, which is the implementation of two programs on the computer. The relative weights are 7/20 and 13/20, respectively.: 100.0%

Bibliography

António Gameiro Lopes, “Introdução à Programação em Visual Basic 2010”, FCA – Editora de Informática, Lda., ISBN-978-972-722-644-3; 448 páginas, 2010.