Thinking Computationally

Computational thinking is the mental toolkit a programmer uses to turn a messy real-world problem into something a computer can solve reliably. It is not the same as "thinking like a computer." Instead, it is a disciplined way of analyzing a task so that the solution can eventually be expressed as a precise, unambiguous set of steps. The IB syllabus breaks this toolkit into several distinct habits of mind, and being able to name and apply each one is central to Topic 4.

Thinking procedurally

Thinking procedurally means describing a task as an ordered sequence of steps, where each step is carried out in turn and the order matters. When you write a recipe, give directions, or describe how to log in to a website, you are thinking procedurally. In programming, this habit leads directly to the