Byte Size: Conversational computer science

6 Episodes

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2-1: Computers aren't demigods

2021-05-0521:41

Computers just do what flawed humans tell them to do—they’re not capable of original thought, and they’re certainly not capable of thinking about things at a higher level than any human. In this byte, software engineering researcher David Widder explains the pitfalls of placing too much trust in computers.

1-3: Practicing Python Basics

2021-04-0310:14

“Hello World” is fun, but it’s more fun to build programs that do more things. We’ve created a guide to get you started writing Python code with all kinds of useful applications. You can find the companion material for this episode at https://learncswith.us/chapters/1-PythonBasics/3-PracticingPythonBasics.html

1-2: A Bite of Data

2021-04-0322:06

This byte is all about getting computers to save and remember information using variables. We chat with an expert about what variables are, why they’re useful, how they work, and how to use them.

1-1: Ramen Noodles

2021-04-0311:16

When Charles Babbage designed the first ever mechanical computer in the early 19th century, instant ramen wouldn’t be invented for another 150 years. So what gives? It turns out that writing instructions for computers is exactly like making a quick meal. We’ll explain how and why this matters.

0-2: Hello, Python! Writing your first program

2021-03-2108:17

In ten minutes, you can be a programmer. This byte provides a tutorial for getting started writing code and building your first Python program.

0-1: Hello, World! Introduction

2021-03-2112:28

Welcome! We’re Ellie and Matt. We’ve thought computers are super cool for a few decades now and we want to share everything we know with you. In our first byte, we clear the first hurdle of learning computing: what even is computer science, and why should anyone care?

#box-pro-ellipsis-176648205432865{-webkit-line-clamp:2;}Byte Size: Conversational computer science

Byte Size: Conversational computer science