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      <h1 class="pageTitle">Computer Science 120 - Introduction to Computer
        Science Help Page</h1>
      <h2>Mathematics and Computer Science Department</h2>
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      <hr>
      <p class="caption">A success guide to the first entry-level
        course in the Computer Science curriculum.
      </p>
      <hr>

      <!--Introduction-->
      <h3>Intro to the Course</h3>
      <p>
        CMSCI 120 is the Introduction to Computer Science Course.
        It is a freshmen level course that aims to serve as entry point for all
        future computer science classes;
        teaching not only basic coding, but how to properly think and function
        like a computer scientist.
        The course covers basic programming, problem-solving methods and the
        development of lower complexity algorithms;
        with a focus on the coding language, Python.
      </p>
      <p class="caption">Source: Mount St. Mary's Course Catalog</p>

      <!--Thinking Like a Computer Scientist, at the request of Professor Weiss-->
      <h4>Thinking Like a Computer Scientist</h4>
      <p>One of the most prominent struggles students may face during this
        course is the adoption of a Computer Scientist's mindset.
        The ability to understand a problem and think of the best solution to
        said problem is much easier said than done.
        If nothing else, a computer scientist's mindset should be the primary
        takeaway from this course,
        as it's a skill that no advancements in technology can really
        replace.</p>

      <hr>

      <!--IDEs-->
      <h4>Integrated Development Environments</h4>
      <p>In order to begin programming, the use of an IDE,
        or Integrated Development Environment, is required.
        There are many popular IDEs,
        each with their own sets of advantages or disadvantages.
        Some of the more popular choices for Python are listed below to
        experiment with.
        However, it is highly likely that each professor to teach this course
        will have their own preferred IDE,
        and it is advised that you follow that preference.</p>

      <ul>
        <li><a href="https://thonny.org/" target="_blank">Thonny</a>
          : A barebones IDE, popular for being open source and without any extra
          features.
          It’s downsides also happen to be said lack of features.</li>
        <li><a href="https://code.visualstudio.com/" target="_blank">Visual
            Studio Code</a>
          : One of the most popular IDEs in general.
          This IDE supports every known coding language through extensions,
          not dissimilar to that of browser extensions.
          The application is popular for a reason,
          and is almost guaranteed to be used by every Computer Science major
          during their undergraduate studies.</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/"
            target="_blank">PyCharm</a>
          : The most popular Python specific IDE.
          Recommended for its built in advanced code analysis,
          debugging, and database integration.
          As opposed to the other IDEs mentioned,
          PyCharm's downside comes from some features being paywalled behind a
          'Professional Edition'
          of the application.</li>
      </ul>

      <hr>

      <!--Debugging, at the Request of Professor Rittie-->
      <h4>Debugging</h4>
      <p>Debugging is a skill, that any programmer worth their salt,
        will use actively during any application development.
        The skill is, in short, the process of finding errors in code,
        processing the output error message, and fixing said errors.
        While many LLM and AI based tools have reduced perceived need for this
        skill,
        it is still very much an integral part of the computer scientist's
        toolkit.
        Below are a few debugging approaches that can be helpful in the
        occurrence of malfunctioning code.</p>

      <ul>
        <li>Isolate: If something's confusing, try to break the code down into
          its simplest parts that you can have.</li>
        <li>Binary Search: Brute forcing the code, removing bits piece by piece
          until the code eventually runs. This method excels when nothing sticks
          out just by looking at the code itself.</li>
      </ul>

      <hr>

      <h4>Outside the Class</h4>
      <p>Depending on the professor, it is possible for the amount of work
        outside class time to vary greatly. The biggest piece of advice that can
        be given, especially in the age of LLMs and AI, is to simply not use
        them. When encountering a hard problem to solve, if you solve it by hand
        you'll remember the solution. However, if you give the problem to
        ChatGPT to solve instead, you don't gain this muscle memory and don't
        learn anything in the process.</p>
      <p>It is important to acknowledge that while, yes you can in theory use AI
        to pass many of your classes; you'll only get as much out the classes as
        you put into them. It's important to experiment outside of class. If you
        want to build a videogame, then build one. If you want to design your
        own website, then do it.</p>
      <p>Even if you get all of your knowledge and code from Google, you still
        learn and apply new knowledge; and all of this will eventually become
        second nature.</p>

      <hr>

      <h4>Resources</h4>
      <p>Below are a series of completely free resources that not only explain
        Python, but also help with processes such as adapting a Computer
        Scientist's mindset, or learning how to add to your resume as a newcomer
        in the tech industry.</p>
      <div>
        <div>
          <hr>
          <h5 class="caption">Guides/Documentation</h5>
          <hr>
          <ul>
            <li><a href="https://www.python.org/">Python.org</a>
              The original website for Python. Houses the download for the
              language as well as all official documentation.</li>
            <li><a href="https://automatetheboringstuff.com/">Automate the
                Boring Stuff</a>
              An e-book detailing not only Python, but computational thinking in
              realistic ways.</li>
            <li><a href="https://books.goalkicker.com/PythonBook/">Python Notes
                for Professionals</a>
              A more straightforward, buisness like approach to learning
              Python.</li>
            <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5KVEU3aaeQ">Python
                Full Course - Programming with Mosh</a>
              A comprhensive video introduction to Python and computing in
              general. This youtuber is one of the most well known and
              recommended in online spaces.</li>
          </ul>
        </div>
        <div>
          <hr>
          <h5 class="caption">Hands On Practice</h5>
          <hr>
          <ul>
            <li><a href="https://leetcode.com/">LeetCode</a>An intermediate to
              advanced challenge website, focused on practicing skills for job
              interviews and real world scenarios.</li>
            <li><a href="https://www.hackerrank.com/">HackerRank</a>Another
              website focused on job readiness, but with a much ligher learning
              curve and less commercialization.</li>
            <li><a href="https://www.codewars.com/">CodeWars</a>An advanced
              online coding practice tool, utilized by a few clubs on
              campus.</li>
          </ul>
        </div>
        <div>
          <hr>
          <h5 class="caption">External Courses</h5>
          <hr>
          <ul>
            <li><a href="https://openpython.org/">Open Python</a>A completely
              free to use, series of online practice courses for all levels of
              users.</li>
            <li><a
                href="https://www.netacad.com/courses/python-essentials-1">Cisco
                Networking Academy - Python Essentials</a>A Cisco sponsered
              course that gives information about the language, as well as
              network programming.</li>
            <li><a
                href="https://pll.harvard.edu/course/cs50-introduction-computer-science">Introduction
                to Computer Science - Harvard CS50</a>A completely free to audit
              course from the Ivy League School of Harvard. Well known for it's
              broad coverage of topics and ease of access.</li>
          </ul>
        </div>
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