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04:07, 12 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 16.61 Harvard CS50 (2023) Full Computer Science University Course (Created page with "<youtube>https://youtu.be/LfaMVlDaQ24?si=O4_ceFH_wwRnN8o0</youtube>")
22:37, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 4.2.3.1 Breadth-First Search (BFS) (Created page with "=== 4.2.3.1 Breadth-First Search (BFS) === ''(Difficulty Note: Analogies help here. The "layers" concept is important.)'' '''Breadth-First Search (BFS)''' is like exploring a maze by finding everything that's one step away from you, then everything two steps away, then everything three steps away, and so on. It explores "layer by layer." '''How it works (simplified):''' # Start at a specific point (node). # Visit all its direct neighbors (nodes one step away). # Then,...") Tag: Visual edit
22:26, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 4.2.3 Graph Algorithms (Created page with "== 4.2.3 Graph Algorithms == ''(Difficulty Note: This is a significant jump in complexity. Focus on graphs as "connections" and the purpose of these algorithms.)'' In computer science, a '''graph''' isn't a chart with bars and lines. It's a way to represent connections between different things. Imagine a map where cities are points and roads are lines connecting them. That's a graph! * '''Nodes (or Vertices):''' The individual points or items (like cities, people on a...") Tag: Visual edit
22:12, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 4.2.2.2 Binary Search (Created page with "=== 4.2.2.2 Binary Search === ''(Difficulty Note: This is slightly more complex than Linear Search, as it requires sorted data.)'' '''Binary Search''' is a much faster way to find something, but it has a special rule: the list of items '''must be sorted''' (like numbers from smallest to largest, or words alphabetically). It works by repeatedly dividing the list in half. '''How it works:''' # Find the middle item in the sorted list. # Is the middle item the one you're...") Tag: Visual edit
22:07, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 4.2.2.1 Linear Search (Created page with "=== 4.2.2.1 Linear Search === ''(Difficulty Note: This is a very intuitive and accessible concept for 7th graders.)'' '''Linear Search''' is the simplest way to find something. It's like looking for a book in a messy pile without any order. You start at the very beginning of the list of items and check each item one by one until you find what you're looking for, or until you reach the end of the list. '''How it works:''' # Start at the first item. # Is this the item y...") Tag: Visual edit
22:02, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 4.2.2 Searching Algorithms (Created page with "== 4.2.2 Searching Algorithms == Imagine you have a huge pile of papers, and you're looking for one specific paper with your name on it. How do you find it? You use a '''searching algorithm'''! In computer science, searching algorithms are step-by-step methods that computers use to find a specific piece of information within a larger collection of data. '''Bibliography:''' * '''Searching Algorithm.''' (n.d.). ''GeeksforGeeks''. Retrieved July 11, 2025, from https://www...") Tag: Visual edit
18:37, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 1.5 How a Computer Works (Created page with "== How a Computer Works: The Grand Tour! == Imagine a computer isn't just a mysterious box, but a super-smart factory or a busy team of specialized workers. To understand how it works, we're going to take a tour of its most important parts and see how they all work together to make magic happen! At its heart, a computer is a machine that takes in information (input), processes it, stores it, and then gives you back results (output). It's all about following instructions...") Tag: Visual edit
18:30, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 5.6 How a Computer Works (Created page with "== How a Computer Works: The Grand Tour! == Imagine a computer isn't just a mysterious box, but a super-smart factory or a busy team of specialized workers. To understand how it works, we're going to take a tour of its most important parts and see how they all work together to make magic happen! At its heart, a computer is a machine that takes in information (input), processes it, stores it, and then gives you back results (output). It's all about following instructions...") Tag: Visual edit
18:14, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 7.3.1 Creating Images (drawing, 3D models - simple concepts) (Created page with "==== 7.3.1 Creating Images (drawing, 3D models - simple concepts) ==== Computers create images in a couple of main ways: * '''Vector Graphics:''' Imagine drawing with lines, curves, and shapes that are defined by mathematical formulas. This is how '''vector graphics''' work. Instead of remembering every pixel, the computer remembers the instructions for drawing the shapes (e.g., "draw a red circle at these coordinates with this radius"). ** '''Pros:''' Vector graphics c...") Tag: Visual edit
18:02, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 7.3 Computer Graphics: Making Digital Art (Created page with "=== 7.3 Computer Graphics: Making Digital Art === Computer graphics isn't just about looking at pictures; it's also about creating them! This field uses computer programs and mathematical calculations to make images, shapes, and entire virtual worlds from scratch.") Tag: Visual edit
16:44, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 7.2.3 GIF (for simple animations, limited colors) (Created page with "==== 7.2.3 GIF (for simple animations, limited colors) ==== * '''What it is:''' GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a unique image format known for its ability to show simple animations. * '''How it works:''' Like PNG, GIF uses lossless compression, but it's limited to only 256 colors. This means it can't show as many colors as a JPG or PNG. However, it can store multiple images in one file and play them in a sequence, creating a short, looping animation. * '''Best for...") Tag: Visual edit
16:39, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 7.2.2 PNG (for graphics, transparency) (Created page with "==== 7.2.2 PNG (for graphics, transparency) ==== * '''What it is:''' PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is another very popular image format, especially for web graphics and logos. * '''How it works:''' PNG uses "lossless compression." This means that when you save an image as a PNG, no information is lost, and the image quality remains perfect, no matter how many times you save it. * '''Best for:''' Images with sharp lines, blocks of solid color, text, and especially imag...") Tag: Visual edit
16:32, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 7.2.1 JPG (for photos) (Created page with "==== 7.2.1 JPG (for photos) ==== * '''What it is:''' JPG (or JPEG, Joint Photographic Experts Group) is one of the most common image formats, especially for photographs. * '''How it works:''' JPG uses a "lossy compression" method. This means when you save a photo as a JPG, it actually throws away some information that your eyes probably won't notice, making the file size much smaller. The more you compress it, the smaller the file, but the more quality you lose. * '''Be...") Tag: Visual edit
14:23, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 7.2 Image File Formats (Created page with "=== 8.2 Image File Formats === Digital images can take up a lot of space! To make them easier to store, send over the internet, and display quickly, they are saved in different '''file formats'''. Each format has its own strengths and weaknesses. Think of them like different ways to pack your clothes for a trip – some are better for saving space, others for keeping things neat.") Tag: Visual edit
14:20, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 7.1.2 How Computers See Color (RGB, basic idea) (Created page with "==== 7.1.2 How Computers See Color (RGB, basic idea) ==== How does a computer know what color each pixel should be? It's all done with numbers! The most common way computers represent colors is using the '''RGB''' model. RGB stands for '''Red, Green, and Blue'''. These are called "additive primary colors" because when you mix different amounts of light of these three colors, you can create almost any other color. * Each pixel's color is defined by how much red, how muc...") Tag: Visual edit
13:57, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 7.1.1 Pixels and Resolution (Created page with "==== 7.1.1 Pixels and Resolution ==== Imagine a giant LEGO board. Each individual LEGO brick is like a '''pixel''' (short for "picture element"). A digital image is made up of millions of these tiny square dots, arranged in a grid. Each pixel is a single point of color. * '''Pixels:''' If you zoom in really close on a digital photo, you'll eventually see these individual squares. The more pixels an image has, the more detail it can show, and the smoother it will look. *...") Tag: Visual edit
13:00, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 7.1 What is a Digital Image? (Created page with "=== 8.1 What is a Digital Image? === Before a computer can show you a picture, it needs to understand what that picture is made of. Unlike a painting on canvas, a digital image isn't smooth and continuous. It's actually made up of tiny little pieces!") Tag: Visual edit
12:59, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 7.0 Images & Graphics (Created page with "== 8.0 Images & Graphics == Imagine all the pictures, videos, and animations you see on your computer, phone, or in video games. They don't magically appear! Computers need special ways to understand, create, and show these visuals. The area of computer science that deals with creating and manipulating visual content is called '''Computer Graphics'''. It's how computers turn numbers and code into the amazing images we see every day. '''Bibliography:''' * '''Computer Gr...") Tag: Visual edit
12:44, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 6.5.2 Deadlock Prevention, Avoidance, Detection, Recovery (Created page with "==== 6.5.2 Deadlock Prevention, Avoidance, Detection, Recovery ==== ''(Difficulty Note: The names of these strategies are the key, the how is too complex.)'' The OS has strategies to try and deal with deadlocks. It's like how a city manages traffic to prevent gridlock: * '''Deadlock Prevention:''' This means designing the system so that one of the four conditions for deadlock can ''never'' happen. For example, by making sure processes always ask for ''all'' the resourc...") Tag: Visual edit
12:39, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 6.5.1 Conditions for Deadlock (Created page with "==== 6.5.1 Conditions for Deadlock ==== ''(Difficulty Note: These are technical conditions. Focus on the core idea of "all waiting for each other.")'' Imagine a situation where two cars (processes) are trying to cross a narrow bridge (resource). If both cars enter the bridge from opposite directions at the same time, they get stuck, and neither can move forward. This is a simple deadlock. For a deadlock to happen, four conditions usually need to be met at the same time...") Tag: Visual edit
12:34, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 6.5 Concurrency & Deadlock (Created page with "=== 6.5 Concurrency & Deadlock === ''(Difficulty Note: This section is the most abstract and difficult for a 7th-grade audience. The focus will be on the problem of "deadlock" with very simple analogies rather than technical solutions.)'' '''Concurrency''' means having multiple tasks (processes or threads) running seemingly at the same time. Modern computers are amazing because they can do many things "at once" – you can browse the web, listen to music, and download a...") Tag: Visual edit
12:32, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 6.4.2 File Allocation Methods (Created page with "==== 6.4.2 File Allocation Methods ==== ''(Difficulty Note: This is an internal technical detail of how files are physically stored.)'' When you save a file, the OS needs to figure out where on the hard drive to put it. Hard drives are like big, empty grids of storage blocks. The '''file allocation method''' is the strategy the OS uses to find and keep track of these blocks for each file. Imagine you have a long story to write, but you only have small sticky notes (sto...") Tag: Visual edit
12:27, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 6.4.1 File Organization, Directory Structures (Created page with "==== 6.4.1 File Organization, Directory Structures ==== ''(Difficulty Note: This should be fairly accessible as it relates to user experience.)'' The file system helps you organize your files in a logical way: * '''File Organization:''' Files are typically organized by their '''name''' and '''type''' (like <code>mydocument.docx</code>, where <code>.docx</code> tells you it's a Microsoft Word document). The OS knows what kind of program to open for each file type. * '''...") Tag: Visual edit
12:23, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 6.4 File Systems (Created page with "=== 6.4 File Systems === Your computer stores all your pictures, documents, games, and programs as '''files''' on its long-term storage (like a hard drive or SSD). The '''file system''' is the part of the OS that organizes and manages all these files. It's like the librarian and the shelving system for all your digital belongings. It keeps track of where every file is, how big it is, and who is allowed to access it.") Tag: Visual edit
12:22, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 6.3.3 Page Replacement Algorithms (Created page with "==== 6.3.3 Page Replacement Algorithms ==== ''(Difficulty Note: This is an internal OS optimization, very detailed for 7th grade. Focus on the necessity.)'' When the OS uses virtual memory, it often has to decide ''which'' page (a small block of a program) to move out of the fast RAM and onto the slow hard drive to make space for a new page. The way the OS makes this decision is using '''page replacement algorithms'''. Imagine your desk (RAM) is full of books, and you...") Tag: Visual edit
11:57, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 6.3.2 Virtual Memory (Created page with "==== 6.3.2 Virtual Memory ==== ''(Difficulty Note: A powerful concept, try to make the analogy clear.)'' What happens if you want to run many big programs, and they all need more RAM than your computer actually has? That's where '''Virtual Memory''' comes in! Virtual memory is a trick the OS plays. It uses a part of your slower, long-term storage (like your hard drive or SSD) as if it were extra RAM. When your computer runs low on actual RAM, the OS temporarily moves s...") Tag: Visual edit
11:46, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 6.3.1 Paging, Segmentation (Created page with "==== 6.3.1 Paging, Segmentation ==== ''(Difficulty Note: These are technical methods the OS uses. Focus on the idea of breaking things up.)'' When the OS manages memory, it often breaks up programs and memory into smaller pieces: * '''Paging:''' Imagine RAM is divided into small, fixed-size blocks called "frames." When a program needs to run, the OS breaks the program into equally small pieces called "pages." These pages can then be loaded into any available frames in...") Tag: Visual edit
11:43, 11 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 6.3 Memory Management (Created page with "=== 6.3 Memory Management === Your computer's '''RAM''' (Random Access Memory) is its short-term memory. It's super fast, but it's erased when you turn off the computer. Programs need space in RAM to run and store data. The OS is like a clever librarian, organizing how programs use this precious RAM.") Tag: Visual edit
23:30, 10 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 6.2.5 Synchronization (Semaphores, Mutexes) (Created page with "==== 6.2.5 Synchronization (Semaphores, Mutexes) ==== ''(Difficulty Note: This is very advanced. Focus on the problem, not the specific solutions.)'' When multiple "workers" (threads or processes) are trying to use the same "tool" or "resource" (like updating a single number in memory, or using the printer) at the same time, things can get messy. Imagine two people trying to write on the same whiteboard at the exact same moment – their writing would overlap and be unr...") Tag: Visual edit
21:59, 10 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 6.2.4 Inter-Process Communication (IPC) (Created page with "==== 6.2.4 Inter-Process Communication (IPC) ==== ''(Difficulty Note: This is a more advanced concept. The core idea is processes sharing info.)'' Sometimes, different programs (processes) need to share information or talk to each other to get a job done. This is called '''Inter-Process Communication (IPC)'''. Imagine two friends trying to build a LEGO castle together. They need a way to pass pieces back and forth or tell each other what they're doing. In computers, th...") Tag: Visual edit
20:25, 10 July 2025 Mr. Goldstein talk contribs created page 6.2.3 CPU Scheduling Algorithms (FCFS, SJF, Priority, Round Robin) (Created page with "==== 6.2.3 CPU Scheduling Algorithms (FCFS, SJF, Priority, Round Robin) ==== ''(Difficulty Note: This is getting into more specific technical details about how the OS decides which process runs. The names of the algorithms themselves are less important than the idea that the OS has a strategy.)'' When you have many programs (processes) wanting to use the computer's main brain (CPU) at the same time, the OS needs a way to decide who gets a turn and for how long. This is...") Tag: Visual edit