Programming for Bioinformatics
The programming sections are written to provide an overview of the Perl applications used in the Biology projects at the end. The sections are divided into manageable chunks with accompanying exercises to reinforce the topics and there are sample code sections to illustrate the topics. The topics to be learned are rudimentary to any computer programming introductory course. These include: output, input, variable types, string functions, conditionals, looping, 1-D arrays, subroutines, and file handling. There is also a case study program throughout the section executing the game Hangman which illustrates and reinforces the programming topics reviewed. The Hangman game is built as the sections are introduced and completed to an executable game by the end of the section.
It is organized in the following manner:
- Powerpoint slides with talking points and sample lines for the section. Every 5-7 slides there are links to exercises for that topic. Hangman exercises also appear at appropriate locations. The intention is to stop at that point until the exercises are successfully completed.
- Basic Exercises are a collection of skill builders to reinforce the material from the powerpoint. Solutions to the exercises are also included.
- Sample code is also included. Usage of sample code is essential to a programming course to help with syntactical decisions and conventional forms of how to write programs. It can also be used to provide an easy success to get something running if problems develop and end up engrossing the course rather than learning.
Without any programming experience this section will be a tedious and possibly cumbersome endeavor. You can, however, access lots of information on the internet. Starting here is a good point of departure.
Click one of the links below to view that section's material
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