Chapter 2
Understanding the Big Ideas
IN THIS CHAPTER
Coaching for coding
Thinking algorithmically
Commenting to plan and document programs
Understanding sequencing, repetition, and selection
This chapter helps you better understand the big concepts in coding, or computer programming: giving instructions to a computer so that it can perform a task. You see the big picture of writing a program before you focus on the specific details of writing lines of code.
Seeing the Big Picture in Coding
Learning to program a computer is similar in many ways to playing football. You have to first think about the goal of the program. Then you focus on the big picture, or game plan, to develop the key parts of the program.
For example, the goal of football is outscoring your opponent. The big picture of football may include kicking the football, running with the football, avoiding getting tackled, and moving the football to the end zone. Drilling down into special plays and perfecting fancy footwork comes after players cement their understanding of the goal and the big picture.
In coding, the ...
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