Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani

Work-Integrated Learning Programmes Division

First Semester 2014-2015

Course Handout

Course No. : TA ZC164

Course Title : Computer Programming

Instructor : Vimal SP

Course Description

The course covers the following topics through lectures: Basic Model of a Computer; Problem
Solving Basic Computing Steps and Flow Charting (Assignment, Sequencing, Conditionals,
Iteration). Programming Constructs Expressions, Statements, Conditionals, Iterators/Loops,
Functions/Procedures; Data Types Primitive Types, Tuples, Lists/Arrays, Pointers and. Input
output and Files. While the programming methodology would be generic, we shall exemplify the
concepts using MATLAB.

Programming exercises are provided which involves the development and testing of iterative and
procedural programs using bounded and unbounded iterations, function composition, random access
lists, sequential access lists, dynamically allocated lists, and file access.

Scope and Objectives

The primary goals of the course are to introduce:
basic representation of data and how to process data using the representation inside a computer.
techniques for specifying data and operations on data using a programming language
systematic techniques and approaches for constructing programs.

Prescribed Text Books

T1. Stephen J. Chapman Matlab Programming for Engineers, 4
th
Ed. Cengage Learning.
(Available from Books24x7)

Reference Books

R1. Attaway, Stormy. Matlab: A Practical Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving.
Butterworth-Heinemann. (Available from Books24x7)
R2. R.J. Dromey. Problem Solving using Computer. Prentice Hall India. Eastern Economy Edition. 2002.

TA ZC164 (Course Handout) First Semester 2014-2015 Page 2

Lecture Plan:

Lecture 1:
Learning Objectives Introduction to Programming and MATLAB
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
Computers and Programming (RL1.1) , Programming
Languages Types(RL1.2), Problem solving(RL 2.1),
Introduction to the MATLAB environment(RL 2.2), Using
MATLAB Documentation (RL .3)
Contact Session (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Introduction to the course, Operating methodology
Introduce the MATLAB environment, Using documentation
References R1: Section 1.1, 1.2, 1.3


Lecture 2:
Learning Objectives Understanding Arrays in MATLAB, Representation and
Operation on Arrays
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
Arrays: Creation (RL 3.1), Accessing Elements(RL 3.2) , Sub
Arrays(RL 3.3), Representation(RL 3.3), Operations (RL 3.4)
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Exercises on various methods of arrays creation and
initialization, Linear Addressing, Accessing and modifying sub
arrays, Arrays and Matrix Operations
References T1: Sections 2.1, 2.3, 2.4


Lecture 3:
Learning Objectives Understanding the Problem Solving Process and to write
small MATLAB programs
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
Input, Output statements (RL 4.1), MATLAB Scripts (RL 4.2),
Problem Solving (RL 5.1), Algorithms(RL 5.2), Flow Chart
(RL 5.3)
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Exercises on designing algorithms, drawing flowcharts using
sequence, selection, and iterative constructs.
Writing small programs involving I/O and executing it.
References T1 Section 3.2, R1: Chapter 5


Lecture 4:
Learning Objectives Learning to write programs using selection
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
Condition: Relational and Logical Expressions (RL 6.1),
Conditional Statements (if statement) (RL 6.2), Choosing from
Multiple Alternatives (RL 6.3)
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Exercises in writing conditions using relational, logical
operations, writing programs involving if statement, if-else, if-
elseif and switch case statements in MATLAB
References T1: Sections 3.3, 3.4 9


TA ZC164 (Course Handout) First Semester 2014-2015 Page 3

Lecture 5:
Learning Objectives Learning to write programs using iteration/repetition
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
For Loop (RL 7.1), While Loop (RL 7.2), Break and Continue
Statements(RL 7.3), Logical Arrays and Vectorization (RL 7.4)
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Write programs involving for-loop, while-loop and nested
loops.
Exercises in vectorizing programs involving loops and
decisions.

References T1: Sections 4.1-4.3

Lecture 6:
Learning Objectives Learning create manipulate string data and plotting
functions in MATLAB
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
Strings Representation and Creation (RL 8.1), String
Operations and MATLAB Functions (RL 8.2), Simple Plots
(RL 9.1), Multiple Plots, Subplots (RL 9.2)
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Implementing MATLAB string manipulation functions, as
scripts using iteration.
Plotting functions using plot function.
References T1: Section 6.2, 2.11


Lecture 7-8:
Learning Objectives
Understanding top down design, and writing modular
programs using user-defined functions in MATLAB
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
Top Down Design (RL 10.1), Functions in MATLAB (RL
10.2), Parameter Passing in MATLAB (RL 10.3), Functions
with Optional Parameters(RL 10.4),
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Exercises in solving problems using top down design,
implementing modules using functions
References T1: Chapter 5.1-5.3

Lecture 9: Review of Topics from Lecture 1-8
Syllabus for Mid-Semester Test (Closed Book): Topics in Lecture. No. 1 to 9


Lecture 10:
Learning Objectives
Writing functions using optional parameters,
global/persistent variables, sub functions
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
Functions with Optional Parameters(RL 10.4), Sharing Data
between Function using Global Memory (RL 10.5),
Preserving Data Between Calls to a Function (RL 10.6), Sub
Functions (RL 10.7)
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Exercises in writing functions in which uses optional
parameters, global variables, persistent data and sub functions.
References T1: Chapter 5.4-5.5, 5.7.1

TA ZC164 (Course Handout) First Semester 2014-2015 Page 4

Lecture 11:
Learning Objectives
Writing higher order functions in MATLAB
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
Anonymous functions (RL 11.1), Function Functions (RL
11.2)
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Exercises in writing anonymous functions, function handles,
and function functions in MATLAB
References T1: Chapter 5.6,

Lecture 12:
Learning Objectives
Writing recursive functions in MALTLAB
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
Recursion (RL 11.3)
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Exercises in writing recursive and iterative programs for
problems
References R1: Chapter 9.5

Lecture 13:
Learning Objectives
Structured Data: Structures
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
Structures in MATLAB (RL 12.1), Nesting Strutures (RL
12.2), Array of Structures (RL 12.3), Passing Structures (RL
12.4), array of structures functions (RL 12.5) , returning from
functions (RL 12.6)
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Exercises in writing programs using structures, arrays of
structures, writing functions with structures as arguments, and
returning from functions
References T1: Chapter 7.3

Lecture 14:
Learning Objectives
Structured Data: Cell Arrays
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
Cell Arrays (RL 13.1), Creating and Accessing Cell Arrays (RL
13.2), Significance of Cell Arrays (RL 13.3), Passing Cell
Arrays and returning from Functions (RL 13.4), List of strings
Representations using Cell Arrays (RL 13.5)
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Exercises in writing programs using cell arrays, accessing
elements, writing functions with cell arrays as arguments, and
returning from functions
References T1: Chapter 7.2

Lecture 15:
Learning Objectives
File I/O: Saving and retrieving files, variables, workspaces.
Formatted output using fprintf
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
Files: Introduction (RL 14.1), Preserving Variables and Data
(RL 14.2)
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Exercises in writing matrix as files, retrieving and
manipulating.
Exercises in formatted output using fprintf on matrices, for
various formats, and data.
References T1: Chapter 14
TA ZC164 (Course Handout) First Semester 2014-2015 Page 5

Lecture 16:
Learning Objectives
Formatted File IO
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
File Opening and closing(RL 14.3), Formatted Functions (RL
14.4)
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Programs which manipulate formatted files, reading input data
from formatted files, writing output, modifying contents in
files
References T1: Chapter 14

Lecture 17:
Learning Objectives
Binary I/O, Random access Functions
Topics(Recorded Lectures
Number)
Binary I/O functions (RL 14.5), Binary I/O vs Formatted I/O
(RL 14.6), File Positioning and Status Functions (RL 14.7)
Contact Sessions (in addition to
the brief overview to the
recorded content)
Programs using binary File I/O and Random access functions
References T1: Chapter 14

Lecture 18: Review of Topics from Lecture 10-17
Syllabus for Comprehensive Exam (Open Book): All topics covered in the course from Lecture No. 1 to18

Evaluation Scheme:

EC
No.
Evaluation
Component &
Type of Examination
Duration Weigh-
tage
Day, Date, Session,Time
EC-1 Assignment/Quiz * To be announced 15% * To be announced
EC-2 Mid-Semester Test
(Closed Book)
2 Hours 35% Sunday, 14/09/2014 (FN)
10 AM 12 Noon
EC-3 Comprehensive Exam
(Open Book)
3 Hours 50% Sunday, 09/11/2014 (FN)
9 AM 12 Noon

* For details of EC-1 Assignment/Quiz, please check the WI LP LMS Taxila web site www.taxila.bits-pilani.ac.in by
J uly 26, 2014.

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 LMS Taxila
website www.taxila.bits-pilani.ac.in and take all the prescribed components of the evaluation such as Assignment
(Course Page on LMS Taxila), 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 LMS Taxila website www.taxila.bits-
pilani.ac.in 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