Class Notes: Introduction to Computer Science
Course Title: Intro to Computer Science
Chapter: Fundamentals of Computing
I. What is Computer Science?
● Definition: The study of computers and computational systems, including their design,
development, analysis, and application.
● Core Concepts:
○ Algorithms: Step-by-step procedures for solving a problem.
○ Data Structures: Organized formats for storing and managing data efficiently.
○ Programming: Writing instructions for a computer to perform a task.
II. Computer Architecture
● The Central Processing Unit (CPU): The "brain" of the computer that executes
instructions.
● Memory (RAM): Temporary storage for data the CPU is actively using.
● Storage (Hard Drive/SSD): Long-term storage for files and programs.
III. Programming Paradigms
● Imperative: Focuses on how a program operates through a sequence of commands.
● Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Organizes a program around "objects" that
contain both data and behavior.
● Functional: Treats computation as the evaluation of mathematical functions, avoiding
mutable data.
IV. Key Terminology
● Binary Code: The 1s and 0s that a computer understands.
● Operating System (OS): Software that manages computer hardware and software
resources.
● Software: Programs and applications.
● Hardware: The physical components of a computer.
