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Computer Science Lab

Copyright © 2010 John Kopplin

Enjoyed by thousands in over 40 countries !
Compatible with all flavors of Windows through Windows 7 64-bit edition
(compatibility with Windows 8 is presently unknown)

Welcome to Computer Science Lab, home of the finest computer programming curriculum for high school and home school students and curious adults of all ages. This free Windows CD-ROM includes all the tools, manuals, and example programs that you need to learn computer programming.

"I get a tremendous amount of e-mail from people wanting to learn about embedded systems. From now on I'll recommend this course...It's very cool."

This unique computer curriculum offers 3 different environments of graduated complexity: a programmable RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) calculator, an Intel 8051 microprocessor that is programmed using assembly language, and finally the high-level C and C++ languages.

Each of these 3 languages comes complete with an integrated development environment (IDE) that provides an editor, compiler, and debugger. You get fully explained solutions to fun programming projects such as a scrolling electronic signboard, a robotic mouse in a maze, an audio peak detector using an LED bar graph, and the Breakout video game. All of these example programs have been designed to be highly visual, audible, and fun. In addition to the introduction to assembly language programming and the introduction to C and C++, this curriculum offers an introduction to Windows programming and graphical user interfaces. You can find screen shots and further description of each of these programs on the Catalog page.

How did I choose to teach assembly, C, and C++? These 3 languages are used in 89 % of the embedded devices (i.e., laser printers, camcorders, MP3 players, etc.) in your home and car. In contrast, Java is employed in only 3 % of embedded devices due to its poor performance.

This curriculum has been used and praised by degreed engineers who are already working in industry. It is also being used in universities, high schools, charter schools, and home schools (minimal computer savvy is required on the part of the homeschool parents!). A magazine that reviews educational software for children asked a computer systems administrator to evaluate the software and he concluded it was "brilliantly" done. Another review appeared in Jack Ganssle's column for the Nov 2005 issue of the Embedded Systems Design journal, a magazine for engineering professionals. In short, he loved it but you can read the full review for yourself here.

Here are some unsolicited comments from the hundreds of customers in 40 different countries who have verified the quality of these materials:

"Thanks for making such a product and thanks for making it affordable."
a computer science teacher in Houston, TX
"I'm finding your course to be very well thought out in its design & execution. A great bargain!"
a financial analyst in Richmond, VA
"I am a computer science professor with a PhD in electrical & computer engineering. There appears to be a plethora of programming packages out there that purport to give kids the "feel" of programming, e.g., by using point and click to select icon objects that represent certain programming operations. However, I can't see the connection to going from that to developing "real" code. I was impressed with your approach because it culminates in learning an industry accepted language: C/C++."
a university professor in Charlotte, NC
"I want to encourage your type of curricula as it gives the most... for a liberal arts education which develops the entire student for life generally. Keep plugging, but be warned that your curricula is probably too demanding on most computer science teachers, not the students."
a computer science teacher in Calgary, Canada
"Great tutorial, VERY well written. 'Bout brought tears to my eyes to see such well written material... I think you have a great piece of software at a VERY affordable price, and I'm pleasantly surprised by the level of dedication that is apparent in your work."
a computer systems administrator in Atlanta, GA
"very easy to use and works well... As a home-school product, I think it is great!! "
a homeschool Mom in Loveland, CO
"I am a retired Navy officer and subsequently also retired from employment in industry as a systems engineer. My educational background includes degrees in mathematics, physics and electronics engineering... I agree that [your software] is an excellent teaching tool. "
an engineer in Fort Collins, CO
"Am I glad I purchased the CD from you! It is SIMPLE and SO EASY to understand! Attached is my first "professional" program, thanks indeed to you!"
Bangalore, India
"Hello John, I studied your tutorial and must say that I am really fond of the way you arranged the presentation and selected the topics. I think there is no way to make it better.
Ostbevern, Germany
"I have had no problems at all, in fact I enjoyed the tutorials very much, you did a wonderful job. This has helped quite a lot."
Maple Grove, MN

If after exploring this web site (use the hyperlinks seen at the top of each page) you still have questions about these materials then send an e-mail to: