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StanfordOnline: Computer Science 101

Course from Stanford University (StanfordOnline)

StanfordOnline: Computer Science 101

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Introduction to Computer Science for a zero-prior-experience audience. Play with little phrases of code to understand what computers are all about.

242,363 learners enrolled

What you'll learn

  • The nature of computers and code, what they can and cannot do
  • How computer hardware works: chips, cpu, memory, disk
  • Necessary jargon: bits, bytes, megabytes, gigabytes
  • How software works: what is a program, what is "running"
  • How digital images work
  • Computer code: loops and logic
  • Big ideas: abstraction, logic, bugs
  • How structured data works
  • How the internet works: ip address, routing, ethernet, wi-fi
  • Computer security: viruses, trojans, and passwords, oh my!
  • Analog vs. digital
  • Digital media, images, sounds, video, compression

Prerequisites

Zero computer experience is assumed beyond a basic ability to use a web browser.

Language

English

Transcripts

English

About this course

CS101 is a self-paced course that teaches the essential ideas of Computer Science for a zero-prior-experience audience. Computers can appear very complicated, but in reality, computers work within just a few, simple patterns. CS101 demystifies and brings those patterns to life, which is useful for anyone using computers today.

In CS101, participants play and experiment with short bits of "computer code" to bring to life to the power and limitations of computers. Everything works within the browser, so there is no extra software to download or install. CS101 also provides a general background on computers today: what is a computer, what is hardware, what is software, what is the internet. Anyone who has the ability to use a web browser may be successful in this course. No previous computer science experience is required.

Ready to advance your career?

242,363 learners enrolled

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Ways to take this course

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