What is Programming?

 

What is Programming?


Just beginning your programming journey? No wonder a question comes to your mind, What is Programming? Well, You are in the right place then. I will try and simplify things for you here which even a beginner can understand.

Agenda for today :

  • Programming Definition
  • What is a program?
  • What is a Programming Language? 
  • Types of Programming Languages?


Programming Definition

Programming or Computer Programming simply is a process or a method of writing programs or code to build a software/product. In other words programming is used for building software.

Software Examples :  MS Word, Browser, Web Page you are using to access this site.

 

What is a Program?

Program is a set of instructions that you give to your computer to solve a specific problem.

For example, let's say you want to add two numbers, 5 + 2

You can write a program to add two numbers and display its result.


Now you will say Adding two numbers? That’s easy! I can calculate it in no time. I can do it on my own why would I need a program/code for that?


And I would say you to add 32432432 + 2343243432.

What do you think? How much time will you take?


You can run a program multiple times for multiple values.

Write Once Run Forever(WORF) that’s my terminology BTW!


Now you get it right?

 

Programming is nothing but writing programs/code that reduces manual efforts and can be used any number of times to solve similar problems.

 

Now you know about Programming and Programs what next?

 

What is a Programming Language?

Now you know Program is a set of instructions

Let's say You are instructing something to someone. How will you do it?

With Language right? Whether it is English, Spanish, Hindi, Russian or Chinese.

And not everyone in the world would understand it.

 

In a similar way, there are different programming languages.

Some are designed to talk to your computer hardware while others are designed to talk to computer software.


A programming language is a medium of communication between you and your computer.

 

Types of Programming Languages

 

Low-Level Language :

The language which the computer understands is Low Level language. This is the language computer uses to perform internal operations.

It can be in binary form or it can be commands used for instructing computer.

Examples: Machine Language, Assembly Language

 

High-Level Language :

It is a human-readable language that gets converted to Low level language(the one that the computer understands). And we need language translators like Compiler/Interpreter to convert a High Level language to a Low Level language.

Examples include all the modern languages like C, C++, Java, etc.

 

Why Should one learn Programming?

In this modern era of digital world having a programming skill is the icing on the cake. You can :

  • get a high paying job
  • do freelancing
  • develop applications for your business

 

 

So that’s it from my side on What is Programming. Hope you understood everything from this since I have covered things in a way that will be helpful for a beginner to understand.

You can also tell me what next you want.

If you still have any doubts you can comment down below.