Computational Thought

Your next step is to learn about computational (or programmatic) thought.

Your key takeaways are:

• Computers are stupid
• Software tells the computer explicitly how to solve a problem
• Computational thought is the act of expressing how to solve a problem
• Building software is a thinking profession

Study Notes

What is computation?

Per Merriam-Webster

• the act or process of computing or calculating something
• a system of reckoning

What is computing?

Per Merriam-Webster

• to find out (something) by using mathematical processes

Why mathematical processes?

Remember: computers are comprised of circuitry and software.

• Methodical
• Logical
• Step-by-step expression
• Proof
• Drive to the solution

What is Computation Thinking

Computational thinking is the process of thinking about how to solve problems such that the solutions are explicit, step-by-step, repeatable, and absolute.

Computers do not think.

You do.

A computer computes, and that’s it!

Computational Thought

1. You identify the problem to be solved.
2. You think about how to solve the problem.
3. Then you break down the solution into incremental, actionable, absolute, and repeatable steps.
4. You capture the solution in an expression.
5. You express the solution in a way that anyone who knows how to add could get the right answer.

What does computational thought become?

Software.

Software is an expression of the set of instructions, that tells the computer specifically how to do something.

Remember this: Building software is a thinking profession.