Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani

Work-Integrated Learning Programmes Division

First Semester 2010-2011

Course Handout

Course Number : TA ZC142

Course Title : Computer Programming

Course Description

Elementary computer organization; introduction to Number Systems; Representation of integers; real

numbers and characters on computers; concept of range and accuracy Arithmetic Overflow; Algorithms and
algorithm development; Structured program development through stepwise refinement. Introduction to C
language; Functions; Recursion; Data Structure and algorithms; File management and file handling; Problem
solving using C.

Scope of the course

This course uses a bottoms approach to teach a beginner what a computer is and how it can be programmed.
The course starts with basic building blocks required to understand the structure of a computer: numbers,
bits, structures to implement operations on numbers and structures to control the execution of commands by
a computer. The course concludes with the introduction of programming as a framework for problem-
solving, program constructs as tools for problem solving and programming techniques as strategies for
problem solving.

Objectives of the course

• To understand the logical structure of a digital computer.

• To understand the concept of an instruction and the concept of programming using instructions.
• To understand problem solving using computers: arriving at solutions, specifying solutions as algorithms
and implementing algorithms as programs.
• To use programming language (C) as the means of problem solving.

Prescribed Text Book:

T1 Yale N. Patt & Sanjay J. Patel, Introduction to Computing System (From Bits and Gates to C and
Beyond), Second Edition, Tata McGraw Hill, 2004

Reference Book(s)

R1 E. Balaguruswamy, Programming in ANSI C, Tata McGraw Hill, 4th Ed., 2007.

R2 Kernighan & Ritchie, The C Programming Language, PHI, 2nd Edition,
R3 Maureen Sprankle, Problem Solving and Programming Concepts, Pearson, 7th Ed., 2006.
TA ZC142 (Course Handout) First Semester 2010-2011 Page 2

PLAN OF SELF-STUDY

Week Topics Reference to Text book(T1)

No.
1 Introduction Chapters 1
Bits, Data Types and Operations Chapter 2
2 Digital Logic Structures Chapter 3
3 The von Neumann Model Chapter 4
4,5 The LC-3 Chapter 5
6 Programming Chapter 6
7 Assembly Language Chapter 7
8 Introduction to Programming in C Chapter 11
Syllabus for Mid-Semester Test (Closed Book): Topics covered in week no. 1 to 8
9 Variables and Operators Chapter 12
10 Control Structures Chapter 13
11 Functions Chapter 14
12 Testing and Debugging Chapter 15
13 Pointers and Arrays Chapter 16
14 Recursion Chapter 17
15 I/O in C Chapter 18
16 Data Structures Chapter 19
Syllabus for Comprehensive Exam (Open Book) : All topics given in the plan of study

Evaluation Scheme:

EC No. Evaluation Component & Duration Weightage Day, Date, Session, Time
Type of Examination
EC-1 Mid-Semester Test 2 hours 40% Sunday, 29/08/2010 (FN)*
(Closed Book)* 10 AM- 12 Noon
EC-2 Comprehensive Examination 3 hours 60% Sunday. 24/10/2010 (FN)*
(Open Book)* 9 AM – 12 Noon

* Legend:
AN: AfterNoon Session; FN: ForeNoon Session
Closed Book Test: No reference material of any kind will be permitted inside the exam hall.
Open Book Exam: Use of any printed / written reference material (books and notebooks) will be permitted inside the
exam hall. Loose sheets of paper will not be permitted. Computers of any kind will not be allowed inside the exam hall.
Use of calculators will be allowed in all exams. No exchange of any material will be allowed.

Note:
It shall be the responsibility of the individual student to be regular in maintaining the self study schedule as given in the
course handout, attend the online/on demand lectures as per details that would be put up in the BITS WILP website
www.bits-pilani.ac.in/dlp-home and take all the prescribed components of the evaluation such as Mid Semester Test
and Comprehensive Examination according to the Evaluation Scheme given in the respective Course Handout. If the
student is unable to appear for the Regular Test/Examination due to genuine exigencies, the student must refer to the
procedure for applying for Make-up Test/Examination, which will be available through the Important Information
link on the BITS WILP website on the date of the Regular Test/Examination. The Make-up Tests/Exams will be
conducted only at selected exam centres on the dates to be announced later.

Instructor-in-Charge