Parsing Instructions
In this activity, we first asked the class to give the "computer" instructions to tie their shoelaces.
Later, we asked a "turtle" to draw the letter M on the floor of Upper Hadden Hall.
Discussion
These activities illustrate that computers take instructions very literally.
There is no room for nuance when programming a computer – our instructions must be clear and detailed.
Further, we learned that there are two types of errors we will create when programming a computer.
- A syntax error is when the computer does not understand an instruction. We may have:
- mis-typed a command
- omitted required information
- A logical error is when the computer understands and carries out our instructions, but the result is not what we had intended.
Conclusion
We should not be dismayed when errors are encountered.
This is a normal part of writing software.
We can use all sorts of techniques to become effective at debugging – the process of resolving errors.