Harvard's Introduction to Computer Science

Through edx, Harvard is offering CS50, their introduction to CS class online. It looks like a great way to get started in the world of programming and computer science. I've registered. I hope that if others register, we can discuss the course with the tag #CS50.

You can read about the course, and register, here.

And a short introduction video from the professor is here, on youtube.

A brief description from the course's page:

CS50x is Harvard College's introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming for majors and non-majors alike, with or without prior programming experience. An entry-level course taught by David J. Malan, CS50x teaches students how to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently. Topics include abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development. Languages include C, PHP, and JavaScript plus SQL, CSS, and HTML. Problem sets inspired by real-world domains of biology, cryptography, finance, forensics, and gaming. As of Fall 2013, the on-campus version of CS50x was Harvard's second-largest course.

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*italics* or _italics_

italics

**bold** or __bold__

bold


- bulleted
- list

bulleted
list


1. numbered
2. list

numbered
list

Note: you must add a full line of space before and after lists for them to show up correctly

paragraph 1

paragraph 2

paragraph 1

paragraph 2

[example link](https://brilliant.org)

example link

> This is a quote

This is a quote

    # I indented these lines
    # 4 spaces, and now they show
    # up as a code block.

    print "hello world"

# I indented these lines
# 4 spaces, and now they show
# up as a code block.

print "hello world"

Math

Appears as

Remember to wrap math in $ ... $ or \[ ... \] to ensure proper formatting.

2 \times 3

2 \times 3

2^{34}

2^{34}

a_{i-1}

a_{i-1}

\frac{2}{3}

\frac{2}{3}

\sqrt{2}

\sqrt{2}

\sum_{i=1}^3

\sum_{i=1}^3

\sin \theta

\sin \theta

\boxed{123}

\boxed{123}

Easy Math Editor

This discussion board is a place to discuss our Daily Challenges and the math and science related to those challenges. Explanations are more than just a solution — they should explain the steps and thinking strategies that you used to obtain the solution. Comments should further the discussion of math and science.

When posting on Brilliant:

Use the emojis to react to an explanation, whether you're congratulating a job well done , or just really confused .
Ask specific questions about the challenge or the steps in somebody's explanation. Well-posed questions can add a lot to the discussion, but posting "I don't understand!" doesn't help anyone.
Try to contribute something new to the discussion, whether it is an extension, generalization or other idea related to the challenge.
Stay on topic — we're all here to learn more about math and science, not to hear about your favorite get-rich-quick scheme or current world events.

Markdown	Appears as
`italics` or `_italics_`	italics
`bold` or `__bold__`	bold
- bulleted - list	bulleted list
1. numbered 2. list	numbered list
Note: you must add a full line of space before and after lists for them to show up correctly
paragraph 1 paragraph 2	paragraph 1 paragraph 2
`[example link](https://brilliant.org)`	example link
`> This is a quote`	This is a quote
# I indented these lines # 4 spaces, and now they show # up as a code block. print "hello world"	# I indented these lines # 4 spaces, and now they show # up as a code block. print "hello world"

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `$` ... `$` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$

Comments

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Hey everyone,

In case you don't know him this is Dan, he is a professionally smart person who has managed to leverage a background/passion in mathematics to work as a professional poker player, economist, and is now the Director of Growth at Brilliant. Dan likes eating well and taking intellectual risks. He has a neurotic dog named Murphy. He is way more fun than any classmate you could have if you attended Harvard in real life.

I just registered for the class. Looking forward to having good conversations.

Peter Taylor Staff - 7 years ago

can we also learn c++

Saurav Sharma - 6 years, 7 months ago

Registered! Currently downloading the lecture video. It kinda sucks to have a slow internet connection. But I'll have to live with that.

Not sure if I'll be able to complete the whole thing. But I'll also be looking forward to having interesting conversations.

Mursalin Habib - 7 years ago

Same problem here..Ill just have to wait until Monday to go and mooch WiFi off some hotel with good bandwidth.

Thaddeus Abiy - 7 years ago

Thaddeus and Mursalin - does your bandwidth impact your experience with Brilliant? We are constantly working to make the site faster, but also always interested in learning more about how people use the site and how that's driven by their access to technology.

Daniel Hirschberg - 7 years ago

@Daniel Hirschberg – I find my internet speed satisfactory. And I have no problem doing all the 'Brilliant' stuff. You guys have done a wonderful job on the site.

I have used really slow internet in my life. And I've had a massive upgrade in my internet speed since last month. So, the speed doesn't bother me anymore. I'm mainly concerned about my data usage. When you have a limit of 5 GB data per month, you can't afford the luxury of watching HD videos and things like that. But I've checked that even if I use Brilliant all day long, my data usage doesn't exceed 25 MB. So, I'm really happy with my experience on Brilliant. I say this once again, you've done an amazing job with the site.

@Daniel Hirschberg – I don't usually experience problems with the brilliant website.A while ago I used to sometimes get blank spaces in the LaTex,but that problem disappeared when the format changed.On the regular CDMA connection(Dialup and charged by amount of time used) I usually have to wait a little bit for a page to finish loading,which used to be annoying until I recently upgraded to a 1GB data per month 3g EV-DO connection. This works well with brilliant,but like Mursalin said,I have to watch my data usage and wont access pages with videos,too many HQ pictures and download stuff exceeding 3mbs. Brilliant fits these constraints and I am also very satisfied with the website's speed.

I'm already registered and I'm going to work on the first problem set later in the day. The lecturer is really engaging.

Devery Sheridan - 7 years ago

Hello everyone, glad to know so many are taking the course together here on Brilliant. So far I have made this project. It's fun. Share yours.

Lokesh Sharma - 7 years ago

I just finished mine. Here it is. I'm having a lot of fun so far!

Anna B - 7 years ago

I liked the way you implimented a level system using glide (1.5/level) seconds. I guess you could technically play this game to level infinity.

Jamie Coombes - 7 years ago

Here's another one.

I loved how you managed to write all this using only three scripts.

Hey, I liked your theme. Especially, how you managed to move the controller using the mouse. I had problems doing exactly this in my project because I used Scratch's built-in click and drag in the sprite settings.

My project-ey thing is called gravity wells, the idea is that you move big dense objects called gravity wells, and hopefully you can steer your spaceship back home. (Using Newton's law of gravitation without vectors is a total pain but I managed a solution.) http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/16216192/

I was looking at your code, and I immediately noticed If you right click on the scripting area, you can click "cleanup". This makes it so much more readable.

I'd just like to say that this is indeed a fantastic class - I've taken it myself last time and it provides a fantastic introduction to CS if you put in the required effort and complete all the problem sets. It does take a lot of time but it is worth it.

Aditya Joshi - 7 years ago

Already submitted problem 0 project!

shaurya gupta - 7 years ago

I'll have to catch up with you guys this weekend. (Planning lecture tonight, problems this weekend.) Brilliant is keeping me busy!

Thank you for sharing this. I registered as well. Although I have a question, the course can be completed online free of charge correct? Like I won't get a credit for it but it can be done without payments? Also, those who are not paying for the course, are we required to submit assingments/projects and what not?

Muhammad Shariq - 7 years ago

The course can be completed for free, but will not have credit, and I believe you will not have the opportunity to have your work or tests graded. You will have access to lectures, homework, tests, and discussion forums, though.

I'm assuming that you're handing assignments/projects in. Does this mean that you paid for the course?

@Muhammad Shariq – I did not pay for the course and I believe that means I won't get to hand things in. Someone who has gotten started already should be able to clarify, though.

I am also registered. The lectures r quite en gaping but how do we submit the projects? And do we need to pay to submit the projects?

jawwad shadman siddique - 7 years ago

Is it free or paid??????

nhc 20 - 7 years ago

There are both free and paid options.

Sorry, Peter and Dan, I can't join now as we are having our model examinations before our matriculation examination. I sincerely wanted to join. If i am allowed join after March 26 then surely I will join them.

Soham Dibyachintan - 7 years ago

hi i am afzal shah from pakistan . my problem is that my internet speed is too slow kindly give me some tricks with the help of which i could improve the internet speed

afzal shah - 7 years ago

i also want to learn html and c language kindly teach me please and also data structure and algorithms

@Afzal Shah – Afzal, I think you could ask tabout this to your Internet Service Provider who would be in a better position to answer it. As for the languages, in our school we only study Java. If you me to teach the basics of Java, I can teach you but not C.

@Afzal Shah – Afzal i can teach u html because it is very simple and easy language

navdeep dhiman - 6 years, 10 months ago

question please, would you mind to brief me how to install hypervisor and CS50 Appliance ? i read the instruction, yet i found it a bit.. confusing.

Nelvson Shine - 7 years ago

You need to first install vmplayer or oracle vm virtualbox. Then you need to configure your hypervisor according to the manual. Then download the CS50 appliance and open it using the hypervisor.

is it free or paid??????????????????????????/

Baqi Awan - 7 years ago

Though you can sign up for a paid version (I think through Harvard's extension school, where you get credit or something) the one through edX is free!

Here's what I did. I'm not incredibly proud of it. But I think I have the basics nailed down.

I registered for this course a few months ago on my edX account and am looking forward to taking it.

Juliet Crome - 7 years ago

I am enrolling in this course. It is a great course.

Syed Hassan Mahmood - 7 years ago

Is this course free like other MOOCs coursera etc...?

Ashish Singh - 7 years ago

Yes

after registration,how do i begin the lectures

Damaris Njenga - 7 years ago

I'm a little late finishing week 0's lectures, but I created a thread for week 0 here with my thoughts. I think a new thread for each week is a good idea to keep things organized. You always be able to find all posts tagged #CS50 in one place.

computer science my favour book

Choudhary Gujjar - 6 years, 12 months ago

how to download ..........vedioes?

Salman Munir - 6 years, 11 months ago

Hi Salman -

The CS50 website has links to the the specific videos. You can download them directly or using a torrent.

Daniel Hirschberg - 6 years, 11 months ago

download with IDM,,,

lutfi fun - 6 years, 10 months ago

I so am going to try and keep up with this course... I was in 4 last semester but got a new job and wasnt able to follow them and stay current :( K

Giovanni Viscardi - 6 years, 11 months ago

Expand COMPUTER........!

Robo Sakthi - 6 years, 11 months ago

Can we do the course offline ? By actually visiting the college ?

Yash Jakhotiya - 6 years, 11 months ago

Dadang Kriswanto - 6 years, 10 months ago

thanks :)

Sandeep Thakur - 6 years, 10 months ago

i want to ask something
in this course what kind of subjects are coming for learning?

hmmmmm great

Qamar Raj - 6 years, 10 months ago

Nisar Ahmed - 6 years, 9 months ago

How many types of energy

nurul hasan - 6 years, 8 months ago

i want to learn hacking pzz hlp

Shaurya Singhania - 7 years ago

please iam good student

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `\(` ... `\)` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$