Programming
Databases

Joern Ploennigs

Program Flow

Midjourney: Doves to Blocks, ref. M. C. Escher

Process

Program flow - Example

x = 3                    # Assignment
y = 4                    # Assignment

def pythagoras(a, b):    # Storing the function
    return math.sqrt((a*2)+(b*2))  # Calculation

z = pythagoras(x, y)     # Function call, assign to z
print(z)                  # Variable output

Defining the Problem

• The most important skill in programming is to translate a real-world problem into individual program instructions (i.e., operations on symbols).

• First step: What are the inputs, what are the outputs of the current problem?

• Not unlike how a function is defined!

  • Input parameters
  • Return value

Lecture Hall Question

What inputs and outputs are involved in calculating the volume of a rectangular prism (house)?

Example: Volume calculation of a rectangular prism (house)

• Simplification: The house is rectangular and has a flat roof.

• Inputs: Side lengths a and b, height h (in m)

• Outputs: Volume in m³

• First considerations:

  • What data types do these inputs and outputs have?
  • What different scenarios exist?

Breaking the Problem into Steps

• The core question:

"How do we get from the given input to the desired output?"

• Not Easy: To answer this question for arbitrary problems, one must adopt a way of thinking, break the problem into steps, and work through them.

• Our Advantage: The ability to decompose and solve problems is a fundamental skill for engineers.

A Tool for Designing Algorithms

• Also called 'flowcharts'
• Describe sequences of operations
• Can have the following elements, which are connected by arrows:

Program Flowcharts — Fundamentals

• The most important blocks:

• Statements do not need to be written in the syntax of a programming language – they can be pseudocode.

• Arrows originate from a branching point, indicating whether the condition evaluated to True or False (if/else).

Example: Christmas Shopping

What is this used for in everyday life?

Process modeling

• Geothermal process flows
• IP management process optimization
• Business processes
• Quality assurance

Patents

• Algorithmic descriptions

• Process patents

• Technical documentation

Lesson Learned

Midjourney: Dorian Gray

Lessons Learned - Flashcards

• The question goes on the front of the flashcard, the answer on the back
• The cards for Subject 1 are reviewed daily
• The Subject 2 cards are reviewed every other day
• The Subject 3 cards are reviewed once a week
• and the Subject 4 cards are reviewed every 30 days

Questions?

programmierung
und datenbanken