9618 · 9.1
Computational Thinking Skills
Computational thinking is a set of problem-solving methods that involve breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts. It's not about thinking like a computer, but rather thinking about the steps needed to solve a problem so that a computer could solve it.
Need to know
What you need to know
- Simplifies complex problems.
- Allows for parallel development on different sub-problems.
- Leads to modular program design (functions and procedures).
- Makes testing and debugging more straightforward.
Explanation
Think Like a Computer Scientist
- Decompose the problem: Break the large, complex problem into smaller, simpler sub-problems.
- Recognise patterns: Identify similarities or repeated processes among the sub-problems.
- Use abstraction: Ignore irrelevant details and focus on the essential information needed to solve each sub-problem.
- Design an algorithm: Create a step-by-step plan or set of rules to solve the problem, which can then be translated into code.