Introduction to C Programming: A Modular Approach - Softcover

Collopy, David M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0131901745 ISBN 13: 9780131901742

Publisher: Pearson College Div, 1996

Synopsis

Assuming the reader has little or no programming background and no math beyond basic algebra, Introduction to C Programming: A Modular Approach, takes a "learn by example" approach to C programming. It introduces one or more "realistic" sample programs in each chapter to illustrate how the material may be applied to an actual data processing application. It also presents the application of the program development process, from start to finish. Written in a conversational tone to ensure the material is easy to read and understand by all readers, Introduction to C Programming: A Modular Approach, emphasizes the program development process as a means of introducing applications as well as the importance of logic design and top-down modular structured programming. It dissects program code and explains step-by-step how program statements work together to produce the desired output. It presents programming projects to give readers an opportunity to apply the material in the book to an actual programming application. Each chapter also includes checkpoint exercises to reinforce important topics covered in that chapter as well as chapter summaries that describe key concepts and serve as reviews of each chapter. Useful for anyone who wants to learn to program in C or as an introduction to computer programming in general.

About this title

From the Publisher

The text takes a "learn by example" approach to presenting C programming. It introduces one or more "realistic" sample programs in each chapter that relate concepts by illustrating how the material may be applied to an actual programming situation. Each chapter demonstrates application of the program development process, from start to finish.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

This book is designed as an introduction to computer programming using the C programming language. It is written for anyone who wants to learn to program in C but who has little or no previous programming background or mathematics beyond high school algebra. Its simplified approach stresses top-down logic design and modular structured programming with business applications.

The text presents the C language at a level that new students or programmers can understand. It may be used as a one-semester or two-quarter introduction to computer programming for technology, computer science, business, social science, or physical science students.

This exciting new edition makes C interesting and fun for students to learn and easy for the instructor to teach.

Special Features

Teaching by Example

The text takes a "teach by example" approach that both simplifies and reinforces the learning process by showing examples of how the programming elements work. Each chapter introduces two or more complete sample programs that illustrate how the textbook material can be applied to actual programming applications.

Furthermore, each sample program illustrates the program development process from start to finish. This process includes defining the format of the input and output, identifying the processing requirements, developing the logic, and coding the program. The output of each sample program is shown after the program code.

Incorporation of the Program Development Process

The program development process is emphasized throughout the textbook. More than forty complete sample programs are illustrated, (These are not short segment programs, but comprehensive programming applications.) The reader is introduced early to the importance of using top-down logic design and modular structured programming to construct high-quality, easy-to-read programs. For each sample program, the complete logic design is shown—hierarchy charts, pseudocode, and program flowcharts—as well as the other steps in the program development process.

Conversational Tone

The text's conversational tone makes it easy to read for new programmers. Many programming C textbooks are written at a technical level, but care has been taken here to simplify complex topics and present them at a level students can understand.

Program Dissections

Each sample program is dissected, taking the reader through the code step by step and explaining how the program statements work together to produce the output. The program dissections help students understand the code and the programming process.

Notes and Tips

Notes and tips are found at the end of each sample program. They provide additional information about the statements and functions presented in the sample program, as well as things to remember, things to look out for, coding tips, and traps to avoid.

Self-Paced Tutorials

The self-paced tutorials give students the opportunity to analyze a problem, study the logic, enter the source code, and test and debug the sample programs; this process gives students a chance to see how everything fits together. Since many students "learn by doing," the tutorial approach provides the hands-on skills they need to be successful. The tutorials also help prepare them for the end-of-chapter programming projects.

Checkpoint Exercises

Checkpoint exercises, which appear throughout the textbook, reinforce the main topics covered in the chapters. The exercises include self-directed questions and activities that provide feedback to students on how well they understand the material covered since the last checkpoint. Answers to the checkpoint exercises appear in the Instructor's Manual.

Chapter Summaries

The chapter summaries highlight important concepts, define key terms, and describe major programming elements. The summaries provide a comprehensive review that helps reinforce the chapter material.

Programming Projects

Every chapter contains programming projects that give students the opportunity to apply the material. Different programming projects may be assigned or the same project may be expanded, using a spiral approach, as new material is covered.

Menu-Driven Programming

Menu-driven programs are introduced in Chapter 6. This chapter includes topics on data validation, guidelines for creating effective menu systems, and techniques for menu selection processing. This topic is presented in an easy-to-follow manner.

Comprehensive Coverage of Files

Comprehensive coverage of sequential files, random access files, and indexed files is presented. These important topics are covered (including file-update processing) from top to bottom in a nontechnical manner that the reader can understand.

C/C++ Compiler

A special edition of Microsoft Visual C++ compiler is packaged with the textbook. The compiler allows users to write, test, and execute C programs on their microcomputers.

Teaching Strategy

This book takes a unique approach to presenting pointers and local/global variables. Pointers are introduced in the text as needed; the use of local/global variables is presented from a business programming perspective.

Pointers

Students normally have difficulty grasping the concept of pointers. Instead of presenting pointers all at once in one chapter, when a situation calls for a pointer, it is explained and illustrated. This approach makes it easier for the reader to understand when and why pointers are necessary, as well as how to use them.

Global and Local Variables

This text departs from "traditional" C in its approach to global and local variables. Although it is reasonable to argue that local variables protect the variables in one function from errors made in another, this isn't necessarily the best way to develop a program to meet the needs of a business. Corporate applications differ from retail applications and require a different design strategy.

Essentially, local variables are used to build applications that require a series of features commonly found in software packages developed for retail sales. Global variables, on the other hand, are often used to construct corporate applications that are developed and maintained by in-house programmers.

Although local variables are used in this text, their use is not extreme. If a variable can better serve the application by being declared as local, it is. On the other hand, if a variable can better serve the application by being declared as global, it is.

Instructor's Manual

The Instructor's Manual provides planning guidelines and teaching tips. It includes the following materials for each chapter: learning objectives; study guides; lecture outlines; answers to checkpoint exercises; test bank (multiple choice and true/false questions); and solutions to the test bank. The test bank comes with Test Manager software that allows the instructor to generate a variety of unique exams and quizzes.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pearson College Div
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0131901745
• ISBN 13: 9780131901742
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 625