4.1 Introduction
Today, computers are all around us. We use them for doing various tasks in a faster and more accurate manner. For example, using a computer or smartphone, we can book train tickets online.
India is a big country and we have an enormous railway network. Thus, railway reservation is a complex task. Making reservation involves information about many aspects, such as details of trains (train type, types of berth and compartments in each train, their schedule, etc.), simultaneous booking of tickets by multiple users and many other related factors.
It is only due to the use of computers that today, the booking of the train tickets has become easy. Online booking of train tickets has added to our comfort by enabling us to book tickets from anywhere, anytime.
We usually use the term computerisation to indicate the use of computer to develop software in order to automate any routine human task efficiently. Computers are used for solving various day-to-day problems and thus problem solving is an essential skill that a computer science student should know. It is pertinent to mention that computers themselves cannot solve a problem. Precise step-by-step instructions should be given by us to solve the problem. Thus, the success of a computer in solving a problem depends on how correctly and precisely we define the problem, design a solution (algorithm) and implement the solution (program) using a programming language. Thus, problem solving is the process of identifying a problem, developing an algorithm for the identified problem and finally implementing the algorithm to develop a computer program.
4.2 Steps for problem Solving
Suppose while driving, a vehicle starts making a strange noise. We might not know how to solve the problem right away. First, we need to identify from where the noise is coming? In case the problem cannot be solved by us, then we need to take the vehicle to a mechanic.
The mechanic will analyse the problem to identify the source of the noise, make a plan about the work to be done and finally repair the vehicle in order to remove the noise. From the above example, it is explicit that,finding the solution to a problem might consist of multiple steps.
Click on the below link to download NCERT Class 11 Computer Science Introduction To Problem Solving
