Web Research Project

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Chapter 10

This activity contains 6 questions.

Define algorithm. Discuss the use of the term in connection with computer programming, as well as giving examples of algorithms one could use to make decisions in everyday life.

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Characterize the features of programming languages that help a programmer select the right language for the problem.

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Web Project 1: The Different Flavors of Programming Languages

When you think of a computer programmer, you might think that the programmer can write any type of program. Not so! There are so many different languages that no one could possibly learn how to successfully program in all of them. This would be like someone learning to speak all the spoken languages of the world.

For this project, use the Internet to research programming languages. Which language should you learn first? Which are the most popular languages that people are currently using to write programs? Why are these popular? Find four brands of languages. What are they used for? Are there different programs for writing applications for the Web than for writing programs for your computer? Explain your findings.

Suggested Web Sites

http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=704316
http://www.coronadoenterprises.com/coronado/lang.html
http://www.guidetoprogramming.com/joomla153/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_programming_languages
http://www.scriptol.org/choose.php

Suggested Keywords

Software Programming, Programming Languages, Computer Programming for Beginners, Which Programming Language to Learn

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Web Project 2: Software Defects

The “Ethics in IT” piece in this chapter discusses the question of responsibility and liability when software does not perform as expected. Although not every software defect is as tragic as the incident involving the Therac-25 was, mistakes can happen. It can be hard to assess where the ultimate blame for malfunctioning software lies.

Use the Internet to find two instances of software defects that caused a significant problem. Research what caused the problem, and try to discover what the final consequences were for each incident. Write a brief paper outlining your assessment of the problem and giving your opinion about who was ultimately responsible. Remember to include facts to support your thoughts.

Suggested Web Sites

news.com.com/2100-1002-5067873.html
www.baselinemag.com/article2/0,1540,1543705,00.asp
www.spectrum.ieee.org/sep05/1685
space.newscientist.com/channel/space-tech/mars-rovers/mg19325873.500-software-failure-may-have-caused-loss-of-mars-probe.html
www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/04/software_failur.html

Suggested Keywords

Software Defects, Software Failure, Software Malfunction, Software Liability

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Web Project 3: Teaching Programming to Children

Children are learning to use computers at younger ages than ever before. Along with learning how to use a keyboard, create digital art, or do research on the Internet, should we also be teaching students how to program? If so, what methods should we use?

Read the first two articles listed below, and then do some research on software products for teaching programming to children. Write a short paper describing your beliefs about teaching children computer programming, as well as your findings about the software available for this purpose.

Suggested Web Sites

www.thesmartbean.com/magazine/children-technology-magazine/computational-thinking-programming-and-the-google-app-inventor/
www.huffingtonpost.com/douglas-rushkoff/programming-literacy_b_745126.html
www.zdnet.com/blog/education/google-app-inventor-slick-tool-for-schools/4112

Suggested Keywords

Teach Programming to Children, Software Used to Teach Programming to Kids, Computer Programming in Elementary School, Software for Teaching Children to Program

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Web Project 4: Game Testing

Do you like to play computer games? Would you be interested in a job that requires you to play computer games? Just like other types of software, game software requires effective and efficient testing before it can be released to the public. Some software development companies have their own in-house quality assurance staff, whereas other, smaller companies will hire temporary workers when testing is needed. At what point in the software development life cycle are game testers generally brought in? What skills and education are required to become a game tester? Besides actually playing games, what other work is done by game testers? How much could you expect to be compensated for such work? Could you do the work from home? Research game testing and the current potential for employment in this field. Write a short paper discussing your findings.

Suggested Web Sites

www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2000/summer/art01.pdf
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_testing
www.jobtarget.com/c/search_results.cfm?site_id=101
electronics.howstuffworks.com/video-game-tester.htm
www.associatedcontent.com/topic/21435/video_game_tester.html?cat=31

Suggested Keywords

Video Game Testing, Game Software Quality Assurance, Game Tester Job Requirements

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

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