W5020 CS Ed Week 2020

Within these castle walls be forged Mavens of Computer Science ...

— Merlin, The Coder

CS ED Week

If you would like to participate in the event, please sign up by Clicking Here

Future updates will be provided through the Remind class @ahs-csed.

We thank you for your interest in participating!

Introduction

An Hour of Code and Beyond

"There's more to it than meets the eye"

 This article can be improved by:  The date and times below are from 2020, but should they be changed to be current?

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 5PM-7PM

Zoom Link

Ed Week 2020

What is CS ED Week about?
“Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field. As part of the #CSforGood movement this year we’re proud to elevate.”

Topics we will go over:

 * What is Computer Science?
 * Linux Basics
 * Shell basics
 * Igis and graphics
 * CSS/HTML Basics

Merlin Shell Access Application:

If you do not have access to the Merlin Shell, use this Link to sign up. You will need this access to the shell to participate in the events today!

Merlin Shell Access Application Link

CS ED Survey: If you already completed the application above, fill this survey so we can see what interests you! Survey Link

Computer Science

Why Computer Science?

Computer science is one of the fastest growing pathways in terms of economic viability and accessibility and significance. With the onset of the digital age, many industries have turned toward technology as their ticket to the future, and now, more than ever, need computer scientists in their fields. Just take a look at the world around us. Restaurants and grocery chains such as Walmart or Chili’s rely on mobile applications for deliveries and purchases, while distributors like Amazon continue to thrive in online shopping. Anything your eyes meet is bound to have coding behind its inception. Yet, this flexibility exists within the work environment as well. Unlike other trades or positions, computer science requires no specific job site to get work done. Whether it be from your couch or even your local library, progress can be made, as long as an electrical charge and Internet connection exist. However, while this ease of access can be applied to both contingency and setting, it is mostly absent from the field’s workforce.

Starting a career in computer science is arguably the hardest part; someone needs to make an initial investment for equipment, and they need the courage to dive head-first into uncharted territory. The price floor itself is a considerable first step because it requires a functioning computer plus electrical and network connections. This places those of lower economic standings at a disadvantage because the tools required often don't match a preferable price point. Yet, while cost filters out and blocks access to those interested in the field, social diversity actively works to obstruct those of differing social status as well. The current environment of computer science suffers from a social rigidity: variety in its workers' social heritage is something not commonly seen, and, as a result, intimidates newcomers entering the industry. People typically search for those who are like them, such as in high school clubs or friend groups. Yet, because these values are almost nonexistent, plenty of outsiders are turned away. However, with newcomers like you, we hope that the field can be more accepting and open. Like with any common settler, we need rookies like you to set up camp in the field and carve your own space that can change what was once a frightening turnoff into a warm embrace. They say that metals can attract other metals, and we need you to be those magnets in the field, setting up a segway for the entrance of like-minded individuals.

Fundamental Concepts of Computer Science

Computer Science, at its core, is the bridge between computers and humans, allowing us to “talk” to machines and tell them what to do. Coding languages are used to translate normal words into computer language. For example, 2 is a number and is represented through a variable that can store numbers and has a label to clarify exactly what information it stores. Coding languages have a few basic data types used to store common real world values:

• Booleans represent whether something is true or false
• Integers represent positive and negative whole numbers
• Doubles represent positive and negative decimals
• Characters represent 'letters,' except they also include numbers, symbols, and other written characters, as long as they are only 1 unit long.
  This means 'a' is a single character and 'an' is made up of two characters.
• Strings represent words, or several characters put together.

These are the five basic variable types used in coding. However, if you wanted to store the information of something more complicated than just a number or a word, like an animal, you would use a class. A class is a way to group together lots of smaller variables as parts of a larger object. For example, animals have legs, ages, colors, sizes, names, and other information that can be stored using any of the five basic data types. A class allows you to compile these values together under one name, in this case Animal, and also name its parts, like legs, color, weight, and species. Classes also have the ability to use functions, which are the actions a class can perform, such as an Animal being able to eat, walk, sleep, or hunt.

Effects of Computer Science?

Computer science goes beyond coding—it is a unique outlet that encourages creative expression and allows students to be free from the constraints of a typical classroom. Computer science also serves as a platform for students to be ambitious in their pursuits and broaden their knowledge in an engaging manner, but the effect of the field goes far beyond its mentally stimulating nature.

Socially, programming and computer science have opened up an avenue to help empower underprivileged communities and break the cycle of poverty. The introduction of innovations—such as algorithms that better organize resource allocation, technology that helps connect communities to make existing resources more available, and artificial intelligence that can efficiently pinpoint areas that are most in need—has allowed for great strides in alleviating the effects of poverty in many communities.

These innovations along with the increased capacity to increase awareness of these issues across the nation has led to increased donations and greater funding for educational programs that prepare students for success going forward. Through these improved programs, students have been met with more promising opportunities to expand on their programming skills and put themselves in positions to successfully break the cycle of poverty.

On a larger scale, increased access to computer science is allowing for a mostly white & male dominated field to become more diverse and inclusive. With the expansion of curriculum to more regularly include computer science education, representation of ethnic, gender, and other minority groups has begun to trend upwards. In turn, this has led to greater representation in the workplace. These developments have had positive social effects because as high-paying and influential jobs diversify, opportunities become more available for all people regardless of their background and groups that are often overlooked can feel more empowered to pursue computer science as a career.

In the end, although computer science is a field that is progressing everyday, it is still wide open for different possibilities and changes. Although great progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure that computer science is a field that is inclusive to absolutely everyone, regardless of their background.

Linux Basics

Getting Ready

Installing the secure shell extension

To access Merlin, you'll need a secure shell client.

A shell allows a user to interact on one computer, and the client allows you to create a shell on another computer.

If you're using a Windows-based device (usable on any device with Chrome): install Google Chrome, open up Chrome and search "Secure Shell Extension", install the extension.

If you're using a Mac or Linux based device, it probably has a built-in client that can be accessed from the terminal. You can also use telnet. (A MacOS Intel-compliled client is available here or download the source from here.)

You will need a connection string to access the server.

Obtaining an account

Fill out this form (if you haven't already) and wait for your credentials to be provided (via email).

Once your account is obtained, open up the "Connection Dialogue" and input the connection string. It prompts you for your password. Input it and continue.

It prompts you to reset your password. You can do this by typing "passwd" into the terminal:

Helpful Hint

Remember that when you enter the password, what you type will not be echoed to the terminal (you will not see the characters as you type them). You'll just have to believe that your keypresses are being received.

(here for further information)

Change your default password to a strong password:

john-williams@codermerlin:~$ passwd

Changing password for john-williams.

(current) UNIX password:

Enter new UNIX password:

Retype new UNIX password:

passwd: password updated successfully

Navigating the Shell

In the shell, everything can be done with the keyboard. The shell works on a command response system where you type a command, and the program provides a response. The shell works with directories that are similar to folders on a typical computer, and when you run a command, it runs on the current working directory.

View the working directory

To see what our working directory is inside the shell, we are going to use pwd which stands for "print the working directory." You can use the command by typing it in and pressing <RETURN>.

first-last@codermerlin:~$  pwd

/home/first-last 

After using the command, you should see something like the above console line. As long as you haven't moved in the directory, you should start off in the home directory.

Listing directories and files

Next, let's try the ls command, which list, the directories and files in the working directory. However, no files or directories have been created yet, so there won't be anything to display.

first-last@codermerlin:~$  ls

Making a directory

We can make a directory by using the command mkdir.

first-last@codermerlin:~$  mkdir firstDirectory

Then to enter the directory, simply use the command "cd <SPACE> directoryName".

first-last@codermerlin:~$  cd firstDirectory

And if we use the pwd command now, we should see that we are in the created directory.

first-last@codermerlin:~$  pwd

/home/first-last/firstDirectory 

Changing directories

Now let's navigate out of the current directory. Using the previous cd command, we can use "../" to go back one directory (which can be chained together, e.g. "../../../"), leave it blank to return to the home directory or use "~" to also get to the home directory.

first-last@codermerlin:~$  cd ../

Now that we have returned to the home directory, let's try listing again:

first-last@codermerlin:~$  ls

You should now see the directory previously added.

firstDirectory 

Creating a file

We can create a file using the emacs command followed by the file name and extension. In this case, we are using the Swift coding language so the extension is ".swift". This creates and opens the file, which will initially be blank, but if the file already exists, this command can be used to open and edit it.

first-last@codermerlin:~$  emacs main.swift

Once we have a file open, we can begin using emacs shortcuts to navigate and edit the file. However, for now, let's suspend the file using CONTROL-z (press your control key, followed by the 'z' key).

View running files

Now we are back in the shell, but we still have a file that is open, but suspended. Using the command jobs, we can see all of our open files.

first-last@codermerlin:~$  jobs

When using the command, you should see something similar to this:

first-last@codermerlin:~$  [1]+ Stopped /usr/local/bin/emacs main.swift

Opening suspended files

Let's reopen the file using the fg command.

first-last@codermerlin:~$  fg

And finally, let's first save the file using CONTROL-x-CONTROL-s and then close the file using CONTROL-x-CONTROL-c. For further reference about the Emacs commands, continue to the next section.

For more detailed information on this and relating topics: W1002 The Client, the Server, and the Shell

Emacs

Emacs is the text editor we will be using to edit our files today. Many of the important key sequences for navigating, suspending/exiting, and saving files will be displayed in the following charts. Keep in mind this list is not comprehensive but mostly accounts for basic emacs usage. A comprehensive list of Emacs Keys is here. Additionally, typing "emacs" into the shell brings up further documentation.

Navigation

Key Sequence	Purpose
CONTROL-v	Scroll down (forwards) one page
ALT-v	Scroll up (backwards) one page
CONTROL-l (second character is lowercase 'L')	Clear screen and redisplay the text, moving the cursor to the vertical center
ALT-SHIFT-<	Move the cursor to the beginning of the file
ALT-SHIFT->	Move the cursor to the end of the file

The arrow keys can be used to traverse across characters. Keep in mind that using emacs keys for moving across characters is an option as well.

Suspend/Exit and Save

Key Sequence	Purpose
CONTROL-x CONTROL-c	Exit emacs
CONTROL-z	Suspend emacs temporarily
CONTROL-x CONTROL-s	Save the current file
CONTROL-x s	Save changed files (prompts for all confirmation)

Graphics

 Now it is time to learn more about some graphics... Click here!

HTML/CSS

 After you have finished learning about graphics, click here to learn how to create your own website!