This book was written for those individuals who want a general introduction to computer science concepts and a clear understanding of the appliability of these concepts in different languages The purpose of this book is to present the material without extensively examining the complexities of any particular language. Our examples make use of Visual Basic, Q C++, and Java constructs By exposing the reader to these languages we hope that, in spite of their diversity of implementation, the reader will capture the uniformity of the basic computer science concepts.
　　The material has been divided into nine chapters which cover basic programming concepts and provide students with pertinent definitions and principles as they are applied in computer science. The examples and solved problems allow the students to apply their knowledge and amplify the theory, as well as provide the repetition of basic principles so vital to effective learning. Students are encouraged to try the examples and do the programming activities in the appropriate environments.

This book was written for those individuals who want a general introduction to computer science concepts and a clear understanding of the appliability of these concepts in different languages The purpose of this book is to present the material without extensively examining the complexities of any particular language. Our examples make use of Visual Basic, Q C++, and Java constructs By exposing the reader to these languages we hope that, in spite of their diversity of implementation, the reader will capture the uniformity of the basic computer science concepts.
　　The material has been divided into nine chapters which cover basic programming concepts and provide students with pertinent definitions and principles as they are applied in computer science. The examples and solved problems allow the students to apply their knowledge and amplify the theory, as well as provide the repetition of basic principles so vital to effective learning. Students are encouraged to try the examples and do the programming activities in the appropriate environments.
　　We would like to thank the staff of the Schaum's Outline Series and our many friends and colleagues who have encouraged us to pursue this endeavor. If the readers enjoy this book and find it helpful in increasing their computer expertise, we will feel richly rewarded.

CHAPTER 1 Basic Concepts of Computers
1.1 Computer Structures
1.2 Bus Structure
1.3 Basic Operation of the Computer
1.4 Representation of Data in Memory
1.5 Conversion Between the Binary, Octal, and Hexadecimal
Systems
1.6 Rules for Forming Numbers in Any System
1.7 Arithmetic Operations in the Binary, Octal, and
Hexadecimal Systems
1.8 Representing Numbers in a Computer
CHAPTER 2 Program Planning and Design
2.I Programming
2.2 Problem Solving
2.3 Algorithms
CHAPTER 3 Program coding and Simple Input/Output
3.I Programming Languages
3.2 Variables and Constants
3.3 Assignment Statements
3.4 Arithmetic Expressions and Operator Precedence
3.5 Comment Statements
3.6 Simple Input/Output
3.7 Writing a Complete Program
CHAPTER 4 Control Structures and Program Writing
4.l Boolean Expressions
4.2 Control Structures - Definitions
4.3 Selection
4.4 Repetition
CHAPTER 5 Functions and Subroutines
5.I Functions
5.2 Subroutines
5.3 Scope and Lifetime of Identifiers
5.4 Parameter-Passing Mechanisms
CHAPTER 6 Arrays and Strings
6.I Introduction to Arrays
6.2 Arrays in Visual Basic
6.3 Arrays in C/C++ and Java
6.4 Searching
6.5 Sorting
CHAPTER 7 Data Files
7.I Introduction
7.2 Data Terminology
7.3 File Organization
7.4 Text and Binary Files
7.5 Opening and Closing Files
CHAPTER 8 Object-Oriented Programming
8.1 Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming
8.2 Inheritance and Data Abstraction
8.3 Advantages of Object-Oriented Programming
8.4 Object-Oriented Environment in Visual Basic
8.5 Classes and Inheritance in C++
8.6 Classes and Inheritance in Java
CHAPTER 9 Data Structures
9.1 Introduction to Data Structures
9.2 Linked Lists
9.3 Stacks
9.4 Queues
Appendix A The Translation Process
Index