Context of the Standard

The practice of reviewing work should be taught early and can be applied across disciplines, including computer science.  Students should check that the sequence of steps that compose an algorithm works as intended.  That is the only way to determine if the algorithm appropriately reflects the steps that must occur to complete a task.  This process can be conducted for both computer programs and unplugged activities.  If the algorithm does not work as intended, the students should determine the changes to make in the algorithm in order to complete the task.  These changes may include adding, deleting, rearranging, or changing a step in order to obtain the intended outcome.  The process of revising a program so that is works as intended is called debugging.

Essential Skills

Essential Questions

Essential Vocabulary

Students should demonstrate these skills:

• Understand that algorithms and/or programs may not always work correctly.
• Describe how an algorithm does not work (e.g., character is not moving as intended).
• As a class, analyze a simple sequence of steps that is flawed and determine possible solution(s).

Students should investigate these concepts:

• If something is not working, how do you figure out what is broken?
• What does “bug” mean when we are talking an algorithm?
• How can you tell if a program or sequence has a bug?
• What are the steps to take when you are trying to locate a bug in a program or sequence?

Students should be introduced to these concepts:

• Debug
• Program