PGDCA Course

Lesson 1 • History and Evolution of Computers

Traces computing from mechanical calculators to modern processors, establishing context for all subsequent topics. Students can place technologies on a generational timeline.

Lesson 2 • Software Categories and System Software

Distinguishes system software, application software, and utilities, explaining how each layer interacts. Prepares students for operating system and programming topics ahead.

Lesson 3 • Number Systems and Data Representation

Covers binary, octal, and hexadecimal systems and how computers encode text, images, and sound. Enables students to perform base conversions and interpret raw data.

Lesson 4 • Boolean Logic and Digital Circuits

Introduces logic gates, truth tables, and combinational circuits as the foundation of processor design. Students simplify expressions using Boolean algebra.

Lesson 1 • Memory Management Techniques

Teaches paging, segmentation, and virtual memory to explain how OSes allocate RAM efficiently. Students calculate page table entries and identify thrashing conditions.

Lesson 2 • Process and Thread Management

Covers process lifecycle, scheduling algorithms, and multithreading concepts critical to performance. Students analyse scheduling trade-offs using Gantt charts.

Lesson 3 • Operating System Architecture

Explains kernel, shell, and system call interfaces and how they mediate hardware access. Grounds students in OS design before exploring specific functions.

Lesson 4 • File Systems and Storage Management

Examines file system structures, directory hierarchies, and disk scheduling for reliable data storage. Connects to database and networking chapters that depend on file I/O.

Lesson 1 • Structures, Unions, and File I/O

Introduces user-defined types and persistent data storage through file operations. Students build a record-management program using structures and binary files.

Lesson 2 • Arrays, Strings, and Pointers

Explains memory addressing through arrays, string manipulation, and pointer arithmetic. Students implement string processing routines using pointer-based techniques.

Lesson 3 • C Language Syntax and Data Types

Introduces tokens, keywords, operators, and primitive data types that form every C program. Students write and compile their first complete programs.

Lesson 4 • Control Flow and Looping Constructs

Covers if-else, switch, for, while, and do-while to direct program execution. Students implement decision trees and iterative algorithms.

Lesson 1 • Polymorphism and Virtual Functions

Explains compile-time and runtime polymorphism through overloading and virtual dispatch. Students implement a plugin-style design using abstract base classes.

Lesson 2 • Inheritance and Code Reuse

Covers single, multiple, and hierarchical inheritance to extend existing classes without duplication. Students design class hierarchies for a domain model.

Lesson 3 • Exception Handling and File Streams

Teaches try-catch-throw and C++ stream classes for robust, error-tolerant programs. Students add exception safety to the domain model built earlier.

Lesson 4 • Classes, Objects, and Encapsulation

Defines class syntax, access specifiers, and constructors to encapsulate data and behaviour. Builds directly on C structures introduced in the previous chapter.

Lesson 1 • Sorting, Searching, and Hashing

Analyses and implements major sorting algorithms and hash table operations for fast retrieval. Students benchmark algorithms on datasets of varying sizes.

Lesson 2 • Graphs and Graph Algorithms

Represents graphs using adjacency matrices and lists, then applies BFS, DFS, and shortest-path algorithms. Students solve connectivity and routing problems.

Lesson 3 • Linear Data Structures

Implements arrays, linked lists, stacks, and queues with their core operations and use cases. Students choose the right linear structure for given algorithmic scenarios.

Lesson 4 • Algorithm Analysis and Complexity

Establishes Big-O, Big-Omega, and Big-Theta notation to evaluate algorithm efficiency. Students classify common algorithms by growth rate.

Lesson 1 • Database Concepts and ER Modelling

Introduces DBMS architecture, data models, and entity-relationship diagrams for schema design. Students convert business requirements into ER diagrams.

Lesson 2 • SQL: Data Definition and Manipulation

Covers DDL commands for schema creation and DML commands for inserting, updating, and deleting records. Students build and populate a complete relational database.

Lesson 3 • Advanced SQL and Joins

Teaches inner, outer, and self joins, views, stored procedures, and triggers for complex data retrieval. Students write multi-table queries for reporting scenarios.

Lesson 4 • Transaction Management and Concurrency

Explains ACID properties, isolation levels, and locking protocols to ensure data integrity under concurrent access. Students simulate transaction conflicts and apply solutions.

Lesson 1 • Network Fundamentals and OSI Model

Introduces transmission media, topologies, and the seven-layer OSI reference model. Students map real protocols to OSI layers.

Lesson 2 • Transport and Application Layer Protocols

Explains TCP three-way handshake, UDP, and key application protocols for end-to-end communication. Students trace HTTP and DNS transactions using packet analysis tools.

Lesson 3 • Data Link and Network Layer Protocols

Covers MAC addressing, framing, IP addressing, and subnetting for packet delivery. Students perform subnetting calculations and configure IP addresses.

Lesson 4 • Network Security Fundamentals

Identifies common network threats and applies firewalls, VPNs, and encryption to protect data in transit. Connects to the security chapter in supplementary content.

Lesson 1 • HTML5 and CSS3 Fundamentals

Covers semantic HTML5 elements and CSS3 styling rules to create structured, accessible web pages. Students build a multi-page static website.

Lesson 2 • Deployment and Web Server Configuration

Covers web server setup, virtual hosts, HTTPS configuration, and basic performance tuning. Students deploy their application to a live server environment.

Lesson 3 • Server-Side Programming with PHP

Introduces PHP syntax, session management, and database connectivity for dynamic page generation. Students build a login system backed by a relational database.

Lesson 4 • Web Frameworks and MVC Architecture

Explains the Model-View-Controller pattern and demonstrates it using a lightweight web framework. Students refactor a procedural PHP application into MVC structure.