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CC1002NP: Problem Solving for IT

Lecture for week 1

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Course information

Course information● To provide an understanding of how

problems can be solved systematically.● Introduce the use of common packages

(spreadsheets and databases) in problem solving as well as their applicability to a range of fields.

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Course Syllabus● General Problem Solving Concepts

● Problem Solving using Spreadsheets

● Problem Solving using Databases

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Module Leaders' roles

● Writes localized lecture/tutorial notes.● Marks the coursework and examinations

(lecturers/tutors might also be involved in marking).

● Serves as a lecturer for that module.

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Your Module Lecturer/Tutor

Bsc.(Hons) Computer Networking & IT Security

(First Class Honors Degree)

Previously worked as Data Specialist at Google Inc.

Also, working as Consultant at nepalibytes.com

Monil Adhikari

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This SemesterWeek 1 - Module Introduction

Week 2 - Introduction to Problem Solving

Week 3 - Problem Solving in Computing

Week 4 - Logic Structures

Week 5 - Revision problems for Test

Week 6 - Test

Week 7 - Organizing Data in Spreadsheets

Week 8 - Charts in Spreadsheets, Macros

Week 9 - Worked Example: Company Budget

Week 10 - Organizing Data in Databases

Week 11 - Using Databases in Problem Solving: Case Study

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Course setup

● 10 lectures(1.5 hour/lecture)● Each lecture will be followed by a tutorial (1

hour/tutorial) and a lab (1.5 hour/lab).

“Attendance is to be taken very seriously.”

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Assessment● Test 30%, week 6● Two-part coursework(MS Excel 35% & MS

Access 35%), total 70%.● There will be reassessment opportunities

during the summer, however the mark will be capped to a maximum of 40%, so it is very important to take your first opportunities for assessments.

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Assignment rules● Individual tutorials. No exceptions.● Given assignments are to be submitted every

week.● Missed deadlines will be dealt very severely.● We take plagiarism very seriously so

exchange ideas not solutions. Any student found copying part of a program or have someone else do it for them( friends, colleagues, relatives or hired personnel) will fail the assignment.

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Literature:

● Problem Solving Concepts:

“Problem Solving & Programming Concepts” M. Sprankle & J Hubbard Prentice Hall, 2009

● For help with using MS Excel and Access:

“Exploring Microsoft Office 2007” Grauer, R.T. et al. Prentice Hall, 2009

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Access to Course Material

ftp://fserver.islingtoncollege.edu.np/

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Agenda(Today...)

● Introduction to the whole problem solving concept.

● Some problem solving exercises to execute.

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Problems?

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● Problems – predictable and unpredictable● People tend to be more prepared for

predictable problems.● How prepared are you for unpredictable

problems?● Your laptop stops working suddenly. What do

you do?● You sit in the exam and face a question you

haven’t studied.

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What is problem solving?

● Coming up with a solution to problem(s).

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● 2+5 = ? gives you a concrete solution● How do I get to Gyaneshwor from Ratna

Park? Gives you multiple solutions & may depend upon various factors (time, cost...)

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● Computers easily give concrete solutions.● Based on algorithms.● Computers cannot think like humans...at least

for now.● Computers are programmed with all the

answers before they are sold so that when you ask the question, the computer can give you its programmed answer in a second.

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● How will a computer handle unpredictable problems?

● Image take from http://www.behavioradvisor.com/ProblemSolving.html

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● In general, Computers do not solve engineering problems.

● Engineers solve engineering problem by using computers to perform complex calculations.

● Engineers create detailed mathematical models of their design or proposed solutions to a problem.

● They use computers to perform analysis and/or simulation on the model

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● Computers on their own can not solve the problems of humanity, only humans can do that.

● However, computers are powerful tools that can be used to model various aspect of the real world.

● Now a days organizations want people who are problem solvers, not just educationally qualified.

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Some Exercises

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The Intuitive Thief

A thief enters a shop and threatens the clerk, forcing him to open the safe. The clerk says, "The code for the safe is different every day, and if you hurt me you'll never get the code". But the thief manages to guess the code on his own.

How did he do it?

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The Sister Problem

There are seven sister in a house in a village where there is no electricity or any gadget.

Sister-1: Reading NovelSister-2: CookingSister-3: Playing ChessSister-4: Playing SudokuSister-5: Washing clothesSister-6: Garderning

What is Sister-7 doing ?

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The Intuitive Thief

A burglar makes an entrance in the showroom and threatens the owner, forcing him to open the safe. The owner threatens back, "The code for the safe is different every day, and if you hurt me you'll never get the code". But the thief manages to guess the code on his own.

How did he do it?

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Software Release Problem

You are the CEO/Chairman of a huge software company which is expected to release an update to their existing software application by end of the day. But, there is some really fatal security bugs that can render the software useless if hacked. On the contrary, the software functionality is very smooth. What do you do, make the crucial decision?

Further………

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Software Release Problem

The major probable outcomes are:● You release the updated and the whole system

gets brutally hacked compromising you firm’s reputation “Losing Your Customers”.

● You don’t release the update on the promised date and again, your reputation is compromised and you end up “Losing you Customers”.

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Moving On to the Workshop