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Each semester I ask students what questions they would like me to answer. Here is the current crop. Answers will be provided.

• Does computer programming involve a lot of math?
  • Sometimes that depends on what you do. It turns out that mathematics is a good way to express somethings in a clear and unambiguous way.

• How long have you been teaching computer science?
  • Since 1975 or so.

• Are there voice systems that can be linked to python so that text can be converted to sound?
  • Yes. This might be helpful

"On some flavors of Windows you can use: import pyTTS

tts = pyTTS.Create() tts.Speak('This is the sound of my voice.')

On Mac OS X you can use: import os os.system("say 'This is the sound of my voice.'")"

• Will we be making our own programs?
  • Soon enough!

* Will I survive this class knowing hardly anything about how to use computers or what anything means?

• • You probably will survive. The course has no prerequisites, but people often take this course because they have an interest in the topic You do need to remember the statements about doing well in CS courses. Take another look at https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AW1VQ3vzgRRxZGRtbWh4c25fNDQ0ZzM3OTVjZGo&hl=en

* Am I okay to take this class with no prior experience with computer programming?

• • Sure. There are no prerequisites. We will be programming using Python. It is a good language to start with. You might want to take a look at some of the resources at BeginnersGuide-PythonInfo Wiki

* Do programming languages differ on different operating systems?

• • The languages don't differ that much. The idea was to define a language so it would be the same on all operating systems and processors. That way programs could be written once and then be portable, transportable.

* Does it matter if we read the fiction or nonfiction book first?

• • It is your choice. Think about choosing a book. How about we say everyone chooses a book by Sept 13? Take a look at http://paprika.umw.edu/~ernie/cpsc110/rwrAssignmentf2009.pdf

* What are tests like? Are they producing programs or asking questions about computer science/computers? * Will we have to program things for our exam?

• • No. The exam will consist of a collection of multiple choice questions (like the ones at the end of each chapter) and some questions where I ask you to tell me what happens in the python statements I give you. For example: What is the output from this code segment:

<pre> for i in range(10):

    print (i * i)

</pre>

* Why do you enjoy computer science?

• • I enjoy it because I feel like I'm (almost) always learning something new or being challenged to do something new. I also enjoy solving some types of problems, those where the solution reveals something I can understand in a different way. You know the quote from "It's Alright, Ma" by Bob Dylan - "He not busy being born is busy dying" ? That says it for me. The other thing is that CS is approachable for me. I get it. It took lots of trial and error, false starts and mistakes. But, eventually it makes sense to me.

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• How in depth will this course be going into Python?
• What kinds of programs will we be writing this semester?

• What will we be able to do with this knowledge of python?
• What types of computer classes would you think best suit an animation major?

• have not done fractions in years and years don't even remember how to begin!!
• Can we briefly go over fractions? I think I'm a bit rusty..

• When were you last beardless?
• How long has it been since you last shaved?
  • Last shaved in June 1995. When my son Oliver was graduating high school he made a request to see me without a beard.

• What are other resources to look into for the more serious Python programmer?

• What will i be able to program the computer to do at the end of the course?

• Will we learn java at all in any point in time?
• Is Python any different from java?
• How does Python compare to other programs like Alice?

• What types of computer things can I look forward to in this class?
• What is the coolest program that we will write?

• Is Python the best form of programming language?

• Can we start going over more things from the readings just to clarify?

• What was your first computer programming language Professor Ackermann? And do you know binary?
  • FORTRAN. Not sure what you mean by the second question. I can translate to/from binary representation of numbers.

• Are you a PC or a Mac?
  • Today I am a Mac

• How did you become interested in computer science?
  • When I was in graduate school studying mathematics, a friend talked me into taking a CS course. IT was OK but I wasn't all that interested in it. Years later I got the opportunity to teach programming and then to develop a program in CS at a college similar to Mary Washington. That pretty much got me hooked. Then I had the opportunity to come here and start the program in CS and also to be in charge of several aspects of academic computing. That settled it.

• what was the first program you wrote?
  • I don't remember.

• Is text the only thing python can create?
  • Python can be used to display images and play audio. It can be used to write software that controls other software and other devices.