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Programming 2A: Procedural Programming

Computer Programmer / Software Developer Career Pathway Course Units

Unit 1: Hardware & Software Basics

Hardware and software form the perfect team; one without the other is useless. In this unit, we’ll investigate how they work together. Tech projects usually list hardware and software requirements, so you will get to put on your project manager hat and identify those requirements! Then we will compare different types of software and when they should be used. We’ll take a peek at the tiniest components of hardware and understand how they function. And you’ll also learn tips for effective file structures and get some practice manipulating Python files. Get ready to zoom into the hardware and software world!

Unit 2: Speaking the Same Language

How many languages do you speak? How many programming languages do you speak? There are a variety of different programming languages that fill different needs based on the type of software or website being developed. We are going to learn about the most popular programming languages and what they have to offer the software world. We will explore multitasking, exception handling, functions, and scope in Python. Get ready to learn another language!

Unit 3: Working with Data

Data is all around us! Whether we realize it or not, every time we interact with a computer, we are generating lots of data. But data is not very useful until it is structured and processed. We are going to learn how data is represented by computers, how we can use data structures in Python, and how to validate data that is inputted by the user. We’ll also learn about how data is processed, analyzed, and managed. Displaying data in a visual way can help users understand it better, so we’ll examine some tips and tricks for data visualization. And we’ll end with some practical Python data visualization.

Unit 4: Introducing: Algorithms!

Algorithms are an important part of our daily lives, whether we realize it or not! We use algorithms whenever we follow a recipe or use step-by-step instructions. But algorithms can be very powerful and complex. We are going to examine several different classical algorithms that will help us search and sort data. We’ll check out various data structures and learn some logic tips and tricks. We are even going to create a simulation of wasp breeding behavior—buzz!

Unit 5: Algorithms in Action

Can you remember a day when you were feeling particularly efficient? Did you clean your room in record time? Did you complete a bunch of homework in an afternoon? Did you make dinner for the family without making the kitchen look like a disaster zone? We have all (hopefully!) experienced efficiency. We can describe algorithms in terms of efficiency as well. We’ll learn a special type of notation that will help us evaluate an algorithm’s time and space efficiency. We will also get plenty of practice writing and implementing a variety of algorithms along the way. Some might even help you with your math homework. Now that’s efficient!