Unit 1, Part 1

Intensive Introduction to
Computer Science

Course Overview
Programming in Scratch

Computer Science S-111

Harvard University
David G. Sullivan, Ph.D.

Welcome to CS S-111!
Computer science is not so much the science of computers
as it is the science of solving problems using computers.
Eric Roberts

• This course covers:

• the process of developing algorithms to solve problems
• the process of developing computer programs to express
those algorithms
• fundamental data structures for imposing order on a
collection of information
• the process of comparing data structures & algorithms
for a given problem
 Computer Science and Programming
• There are many different fields within CS, including:
• software systems
• computer architecture
• networking
• programming languages, compilers, etc.
• theory
• AI

• Experts in many of these fields don’t do much programming!

• However, learning to program will help you to develop

ways of thinking and solving problems used in all fields of CS.

A Rigorous Introduction
• Intended for:
• future concentrators who plan to take more
advanced courses
• others who want a rigorous introduction
• no programming background required,
but can also benefit people with prior background

• Allow for 20-30 hours of work per week

• start work early!
• come for help!
• don't fall behind!
 Requirements
• Lectures and sections

• Ten problem sets (50%)

• part I = "written" problems
• part II = "programming" problems
• grad-credit students will have extra work on most assts.

• Nine unit tests (25%)

• given at the end of lecture (see the schedule)
• 25 possible pts. for each
• if score lower than 18, can take a retest for a max. of 18

• Final exam (25%):

• Friday, August 10, 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Textbooks
• Required: The CSCI S-111 Coursepack
• contains all of the lecture notes
• will be available at Gnomon Copy on Mass Ave.

• Optional resource for the first half:

Building Java Programs by Stuart Reges and Marty Stepp
(Addison Wesley).

• Optional resource for the second half:

Data Structures & Algorithms in Java, 2nd edition
by Robert Lafore (SAMS Publishing).
 Other Course Staff
• Teaching Assistants (TAs):
Cody Doucette (head TA)
Caitlin Fournier
Libby James
Kylie Moses

• See the course website for contact info.

• Piazza is your best bet for questions.

• For purely administrative questions: libs111@fas.harvard.edu

• will forward your email to the full course staff

Other Details of the Syllabus

• Schedule:
• note the due dates and test dates
• no lectures or sections on most Wednesdays
• exceptions: July 11 (July 13 is off),
August 8 (August 9 is off)

• Policies:
• 10% penalty for submissions that are one day late
• please don't request an extension unless it's an emergency!
• grading

• Please read the syllabus carefully and make sure that you
understand the policies and follow them carefully.

• Let us know if you have any questions.

 Algorithms
• In order to solve a problem using a computer,
you need to come up with one or more algorithms.

• An algorithm is a step-by-step description of how to

accomplish a task.

• An algorithm must be:

• precise: specified in a clear and unambiguous way
• effective: capable of being carried out

Example of Defining an Algorithm

 Programming
• Programming involves expressing an algorithm in a form that
a computer can interpret.

• We will primarily be using the Java programming language.

• one of many possible languages

• The key concepts of the course transcend this language.

What Does a Program Look Like?

• Here's a Java program that displays a simple message:

public class HelloWorld {

public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("hello, world");
}
}

• Like all programming languages, Java has a precise set of rules

that you must follow.
• the syntax of the language

• To quickly introduce you to a number of key concepts,

we will begin with a simpler language.
 Scratch
• A simple graphical programming language
• developed at the MIT Media Lab
• easy enough for middle school kids
• makes it easy to create animations, games, etc.

• Download version 1.4 for free here:

http://scratch.mit.edu/scratch_1.4/
• this is not the latest version, but it's the one we will use

Scratch Basics
• Scratch programs (scripts) control characters called sprites.

• Sprites perform actions and interact with each other on the stage.

the stage

building
blocks
for
programs/
scripts

drag building blocks here to create scripts

 Sprites
• At the start, there is a single cat sprite on the stage.
• You can add and remove sprites, and change their costumes.

new sprite
buttons

list of sprites
on the stage

• Clicking on a sprite from the list below the stage

shows you the scripts for that sprite (if any).

Program Building Blocks

• Grouped into eight color-coded categories

• The shape of a building block indicates where it can go.

• Right-click a building block to get help on that type of block.
 Program Building Blocks: Statements
• Statement = a command or action

• Statements have bumps and/or notches

that allow you to stack them.
• each stack is a single script

• A statement may have:

• an input area that takes
a value (Hello!, 10, 15, etc.)
• a pull-down menu with choices (meow)

Program Building Blocks: Statements (cont.)

• Clicking on any statement in a script executes the script.

• When rearranging blocks, dragging a statement drags it

and any other statements below it in the stack.
• example: dragging the wait command below
 Flow of Control
• Flow of control = the order in which statements are executed

• By default, statements in a script are executed sequentially

from top to bottom when the script is clicked.

• Control blocks (gold in color) allow you to affect the

flow of control.
• simple example: the wait statement above pauses
the flow of control

Flow of Control: Repetition

• Many control statements are C-shaped, which allows them
to control other statements.

• Example: statements that repeat other statements.

• Drag statements inside the opening to create a repeating stack.

forms

• In programming, a group of statements that repeats

is known as a loop.
 Flow of Control: Responding to an Event
• Hat blocks (ones with rounded tops) can be put on top of a script.

• They wait for an event to happen.

• when it does, the script is executed

What Does a Program Look Like?

• Recall our earlier Java program:

public class HelloWorld {

public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("hello, world");
}
}

• Here's the Scratch version … and here's the result:

 Stage Coordinates
• Dimensions: 480 units wide by 360 units tall

• Center has coordinates of 0, 0

What Does This Program Draw?

 What Changes Are Needed
to Draw Each of These?

Flow of Control: Repeating a Repetition!

• One loop inside another loop!

• known as a nested loop

• How many times is the move statement executed above?

 Making Our Program Easier to Change

• It would be nice to avoid having to manually change

all of the numbers.

• Take advantage of relationships between the numbers.

• what are they?

Program Building Blocks: Variables

• A variable is a named location in the computer's memory
that is used to store a value.

• Can picture it as a named box:

• To create a variable:
 Using Variables in Your Program

note: you must drag a variable into place, not type its name

Program Building Blocks: Operators

• Operators create a new value from existing values/variables.
 Our Program with Variables and Operators

Getting User Input

• Use the ask command from the sensing category.

• The value entered by the user is stored in the special variable

answer, which is also located in the sensing category.

• Allowing the user to enter

numSides and numCopies:
 Program Building Blocks: Boolean Expressions
• Blocks with pointed edges produce boolean values:
• true or false

• Boolean operators:

• There are also boolean expressions in the sensing palette:

Flow of Control: Conditional Execution

• conditional execution = deciding whether to execute
one or more statements on the basis of some condition

• There are C-shaped control blocks for this:

• They have an input area with pointed edges for the condition.
 Flow of Control: Conditional Execution (cont.)

• If the condition is true:

• the statements under the if are executed
• the statements under the else are not executed

• If the condition is false:

• the statements under the if are not executed
• the statements under the else are executed

Dealing With Invalid User Inputs

 More Info on Scratch
• Documentation is available online:
• getting started guide for version 1.4:
http://download.scratch.mit.edu/ScratchGettingStartedv14.pdf
• reference guide for version 1.4:
http://download.scratch.mit.edu/ScratchReferenceGuide14.pdf

• Creating a Scratch account is not required for this course.