Computer Science

A freshman, college beginning computer science course, that is. I have a pretty good idea of what I'm getting myself in to, but I want to know the best method of preparation. Explain to me what I should review/read-up to be prepared for such a course.

overview of computers and programming; problem solving and algorithm development; simple data types; arithmetic and logic operators; selection structures; repetition structures; text files; arrays; procedural abstraction and software design; modular programming

...is the course description. Suggestions containing good sites or sources of information that can provide good preparation would be greatly appreciated.

Nothing, really. It's a pretty easy class.

At the university I went to, there was actually a prerequisite to the Freshman Computer Science course: A Logic for Computer Programming course, which was actually in the philosophy department. I really liked the course; it got me interested in further study of logic. I can't say it really helped in an applied sense, however (also, from what I heard, the course has a 60% fail rate).

But the only real preparation you need is to be familiar with computers, which I imagine you already are. One thing I can recommend though, is to make sure you are familiar with command line Operating Systems. Know some of the basic commands for Unix and DOS and the like. They're not hard, and you can pop up your command prompt for your GUI OS to practice. Just knowing how to navigate through files and folders, how to more stuff and copy stuff, and how to use the command line text editors might save you some trouble, as programming courses I've taken through the years have usually required such actions at one point or another.

Inquire about which languages are taught throughout the program (probably C++, Java, and VB), and start familiarizing yourself with them. Learn about MIS/DP, and definitely basic programming logic and design. In fact, if you aren't experienced with any languages at the moment, don't start with learning any. Start with the logic behind programming, architecture, hierarchy, etc. I don't have any links handy, but I'm sure you'll find plenty through a Google search.

Originally Posted by Andross

A freshman, college beginning computer science course, that is. I have a pretty good idea of what I'm getting myself in to, but I want to know the best method of preparation. Explain to me what I should review/read-up to be prepared for such a course.



...is the course description. Suggestions containing good sites or sources of information that can provide good preparation would be greatly appreciated.

Pretty much what Fish said. I went into the course with absolutely no prior knowledge, and walked out with a High Distinction.
You might want to take a brief glance at some programming languages beforehand. Just find a simple tutorial and start reading through it. Knowing a bit about algorithms, IF/ELSE selection structures, and things like what a char, int, and float are will help you along. Otherwise, assuming you already have a fairly good knowledge of how computers work, you shouldn't have any problem.

Oh, also, some other good people to ask would be Samus Aran, who has just finished a related course, and CurryMonster, who is doing his now.

Oh, also, some other good people to ask would be Samus Aran, who has just finished a related course,

Cody should take a course on not smelling bad.

Also, start learning a bit about bases 2 and 16. That will also help you.