- Do you want to learn computer programming?
- Are you aiming to become a professional programmer?
- Do you understand computer coding?
- Are you looking to get first-hand information about the basic programming methodology?

Computer programming is a complex phenomenon for those of us who do not have much knowledge about this. To learn programming one has to actually understand the whole methodology first in order to proceed ahead. This programming online course will provide you with an introduction to the programming methodology associated with the Java programming language.

The specific topics that will be covered include:

- Introduction to the engineering of computer applications
- Object-oriented design
- Encapsulation
- Decomposition
- Abstraction and testing as it relates to software engineering and programming.

This course is intended to introduce undergraduate students from diverse academic backgrounds to broad concepts associated with computer programming; therefore, there are no defined prerequisites. However, you will need to download and install Java to complete the assignments. This methodology teaches the widely-used Java programming language and software engineering principles. Special emphasis is given to improving the programming style. Hard-core techies, humanists, social scientists and students can use this course to their advantage as the course is designed for this purpose. For the convenience of everyone the course does not require any previous background in programming. Since this course is not easy, considerable dedication and hard work will be required on your part.

Author Bio

The instructor for this course will be Mehran Sahami, who joined the Computer Science Department at Stanford University as Associate Professor (Teaching), Associate Chair for Undergraduate Education, and Director of Educational Affairs. He was also a Senior Research Scientist at Google from 2002-2007 and still maintains a consulting appointment in the research group. His research interests include machine learning, computer science education, and information retrieval on the Web.