The big picture
Six ideas in one list.
| Idea | Remember |
|---|---|
| Splitting a big job | Decomposition splits a big job into smaller, named parts. |
| Spotting the repeat | A pattern is a small piece that repeats. |
| What is an algorithm? | An algorithm is an exact list of steps, in order. |
| Following steps exactly | Run each step exactly as written. See where it breaks. |
| Testing the tricky case | A rule that works once can fail on another case. |
| Sorting | Compare two neighbours. Swap them if the left one is bigger. |
None of this needs a computer. A pencil and your own hands are enough.
Next: How a Computer Works. The parts, the loop and what memory really means.