Prelude to Programming provides beginning students with a language-independent framework for learning core programming concepts and effective design techniques. This approach gives students the foundation they need to understand the logic behind program design and to establish effective programming skills. The Fifth Edition offers students a lively and accessible presentation as they learn core programming concepts - including data types, control structures, data files and arrays, and program design techniques such as top-down modular design and proper program documentation and style. Problem-solving skills are developed when students learn how to use basic programming tools and algorithms, which include data validation, defensive programming, calculating sums and averages, and searching and sorting lists. A copy of the RAPTOR flow-charting software is included with the Fifth Edition.

Table of Contents:
Preface xv 0 Introduction 1 In the Everyday World: Computers Everywhere 2 0.1 A Brief History of Computers 2 What Is a Computer? 2 Personal Computers 4 The Internet 7 0.2 Computer Basics 8 The Central Processing Unit 9 Internal Memory 9 Mass Storage Devices 10 Input Devices 12 Output Devices 12 0.3 Software and Programming Languages 14 Types of Software 14 Types of Programming Languages 15 Chapter Review and Exercises 18 1 An Introduction to Programming 23 In the Everyday World: You Are Already a Programmer! 24 1.1 What Is Programming? 24 A General Problem-Solving Strategy 25 Creating Computer Programs: The Program Development Cycle 26 1.2 Basic Programming Concepts 27 A Simple Program 28 Data Input 30 Program Variables and Constants 32 1.3 Data Processing and Output 35 Processing Data 35 Data Output 39 1.4 Character and String Data 43 The Declare Statement 43 1.5 Integer Data 46 Operations on Integers 47 The Binary Number System 48 Integer Representation 50 1.6 Floating Point Data 55 The Declare Statement Revisited 56 Types of Floating Point Numbers 57 Floating Point Representation 59 Chapter Review and Exercises 62 2 Developing a Program 69 In the Everyday World: Planning to Program? You Need a Plan 70 2.1 The Program Development Cycle 71 The Process of Developing a Program 71 Additional Steps in the Cycle 74 2.2 Program Design 78 Modular Programming 78 2.3 Coding, Documenting, and Testing a Program 86 Coding and Documenting a Program 87 Testing a Program 89 Types of Errors 89 2.4 Commercial Programs: Testing and Documenting 91 The Testing Phase Revisited 91 External Documentation 92 2.5 Structured Programming 94 Flowcharts 94 Control Structures 99 Programming Style 102 Chapter Review and Exercises 104 3 Selection Structures: Making Decisions 111 In the Everyday World: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions... 112 3.1 An Introduction to Selection Structures 113 Types of Selection Structures 113 Single- and Dual-Alternative Structures 114 3.2 Relational and Logical Operators 120 Relational Operators 120 Logical Operators 123 Hierarchy of Operations 128 3.3 ASCII Code and Comparing Strings 130 Representing Characters by Numbers 130 3.4 Selecting from Several Alternatives 133 Using If Structures 134 Using Case-Like Statements 137 3.5 Applications of Selection Structures 141 Defensive Programming 141 Menu-Driven Programs 144 3.6 Focus on Problem Solving: A New Car Price Calculator 147 Problem Statement 147 Problem Analysis 147 Program Design 148 Program Code 151 Program Test 151 Chapter Review and Exercises 152 4 Repetition Structures: Looping 163 In the Everyday World: Loops 164 4.1 An Introduction to Repetition Structures: Computers Never Get Bored! 165 Loop Basics 165 Relational and Logical Operators 168 Constructing Flowcharts with a Loop Structure 169 4.2 Types of Loops 172 Pre-Test and Post-Test Loops 173 Counter-Controlled Loops 177 4.3 The For Loop 183 The For Statement 184 The For Loop in Action 187 The Careful Bean Counter 190 4.4 Applications of Repetition Structures 195 Using Sentinel-Controlled Loops to Input Data 195 Data Validation 199 The Floor() and Ceiling() Functions 203 Computing Sums and Averages 206 4.5 Focus on Problem Solving: A Cost, Revenue, and Profit Problem 211 Problem Statement 211 Problem Analysis 211 Program Design 213 Program Code 216 Program Test 216 Chapter Review and Exercises 218 5 More about Loops and Decisions 225 In the Everyday World: Advanced Loops 226 5.1 Combining Loops with If-