From computing to computational thinking

Computational Thinking (CT) involves fundamental concepts and reasoning, distilled from computer science and other computational sciences, which become powerful general mental tools for solving problems, increasing efficiency, reducing complexity, designing procedures, or interacting with humans and machines. An easy-to-understand guidebook, From Computing to Computational Thinking gives you the tools for understanding and using CT. It does not assume experience or knowledge of programming or of a programming language, but explains concepts and methods for CT with clarity and depth. Successful applications in diverse disciplines have shown the power of CT in problem solving. The book uses puzzles, games, and everyday examples as starting points for discussion and for connecting abstract thinking patterns to real-life situations. It provides an interesting and thought-provoking way to gain general knowledge about modern computing and the concepts and thinking processes underlying modern digital technologies. Content: Why Does the Chicken Cross the Road?The ComputerTuring MachineA Brief History of ComputersSoftwareProgrammingSyntax and SemanticsFlowchartsAlgorithmsPseudo CodeThe Euclidean GCD AlgorithmGoals and How to Get ThereRoad CrossingBits, Bytes, and WordsDigital ComputersBinary NumbersPositive and Negative IntegersModular ArithmeticBase ConversionCharactersEditing TextData OutputTrue or FalseDigital Electronic CircuitsBoolean AlgebraDecision MakingLogic Applied to BitsLogic and IterationWho Is the Master?What Is an Operating System?Operating System KernelOpen Source SoftwareGraphical User InterfaceDesktop OverviewAre You Talking to Me?Command-Line InterfaceFilesProcessesManaging TasksUp and RunningHello There!What Is a Network?The InternetLocal and Wide Area NetworksInternet ArchitectureWireless NetworkingNetworking ProtocolsIP AddressesDomain NamesClient and ServerPeer to PeerDNS ServiceDNS Servers and ResolversDomain RegistrationPacket SwitchingCloud ComputingHome Sweet HomepageWhat Is a Web Server?Web BrowsersA Brief History of the WebURLsHTML and HTML5Webpage StylingWeb HostingDynamic Generation of WebpagesClient-Side ScriptingHypertext Transfer ProtocolWebsite DevelopmentWeb Search EnginesWeb ServicesStandard Web TechnologiesKeeping It SafeLoginHTTPS and SSL/TLSWhat is a Digital Certificate?CryptographyPublic-Key CryptographyRSA Public-Key AlgorithmDigital SignatureMessage DigestsSecure EmailSecurity Attacks and DefensesSolve That ProblemSolving PuzzlesSortingRecursionRecursive Solution FormulaTower of HanoiEight QueensGeneral BacktrackingTree TraversalsComplexityHeuristicsData EverywhereDigital ImagesRaster Image EncodingAudio and VideoDigital VideoFormat of Data and FilesData SharingDocument MarkupData CompressionData StructuresWhat Is a Database?Protecting Personal DataGet That AppKey ProgramsKnowing Your AppsProgram Configuration and CustomizationProcess CooperationMachine Language ProgramsAssembly Language ProgramsHigh-Level ProgramsCompilersSoftware DevelopmentObject-Oriented ProgrammingObject-Oriented Design "This book summarizes and analyzes the biology, ecology, exploitation and management of small cetaceans in Japan. It describes the various types of cetacean fisheries in Japan and their historical development, the life histories and ecologies of the main species involved, and the history and problems of conservation and management. The data show that in some cases the number of small cetaceans harvested exceed sustainable limits and have led to depletion of populations. The book provides a case study of what can go wrong when the needs of industry and conservation collide. The descriptions of life history and ecology are relevant to issues of conservation and management, not just for cetaceans, but for all fisheries around the world."--Publisher's description Front Cover -- Contents -- Preface -- Introduction -- Chapter 1: Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? -- 1.1 The Computer -- 1.2 Turing Machine -- CT: Abstract Away -- 1.3 A Brief History of Computers -- 1.4 Software -- 1.5 Programming -- 1.6 Syntax and Semantics -- CT: Beware of Semantics -- 1.7 Flowcharts -- CT: Ready for All Contingencies -- CT: First Things First -- CT: Check before Proceeding -- 1.8 Algorithms -- CT: Make It an Algorithm -- CT: Consider Extreme Cases -- 1.9 Pseudo Code -- CT: Step by Step -- 1.10 The Euclidean GCD Algorithm -- CT: Apply Domain Knowledge