Table of Contents

Brief Contents I. Becoming Skilled at Computing

Defining Information Technology

Exploring the Human-Computer Interface

The Basics of Networking

A Hypertext Markup Language Primer

Locating Information on the World Wide Web

An Introduction to Debugging

II. Algorithms and Digitizing Information

Representing Information Digitally

Representing Multimedia Digitally

Principles of Computer Operations

Algorithmic Thinking

III. Data and Information

Social Implications of IT

Privacy and Digital Security

The Basics of Spreadsheets

Advanced Spreadsheets for Planning

Introduction to Database Concepts

A Case Study in Database Organization

IV. Problem Solving

Fundamental Concepts Expressed in JavaScript

A JavaScript Program

Programming Functions

Iteration Principles

A Case Study in Algorithmic Problem Solving

Limits to Computation

A Fluency Summary

Glossary Answers to Selected Questions Index Credits

About the Author

Larry Snyder was the chairman of the National Research Council's (NRC) committee that issued the report, "Being Fluent with Information Technology." It is this NRC committee, funded by the National Science Foundation, that identified the three types of knowledge needed in Fluency. Larry received his B.A. in 1968 from the University of Iowa and his Ph.D. in 1973 at Carnegie Mellon. He taught at schools such as Yale, MIT, Harvard, and Sydney University before settling down at the University of Washington in 1983, where he is currently a professor of Computer Science and Engineering.