The computer has emerged as the most useful machine in recent times. It can perform a
variety of tasks like receiving data, processing it, and producing useful results. However, being a
machine, the computer cannot perform on its own. A computer needs to be instructed to perform
even a simple task like adding two numbers. Computers work on a set of instructions called
computer program, which clearly specify the ways to carry out a task. An analogy of this may be
thought of as the instructions given by the manager or team leader to its team. The team
members follow those instructions and accordingly perform their duties. Similarly, a computer
also takes instructions, in the form of computer programs, and carries out the requested task.
Now the questions arises how human beings instruct computers. We, as human beings,
use natural languages such as English, Spanish, or French to communicate. Similarly, a user
communicates with the computer in a language understood by it. Note that human beings cannot
interact directly with the computer using natural languages because thus far we have not
developed such computers that can comprehend natural languages. Rather the instructions,
provided in the form of computer programs, are developed using computer or programming
languages. This chapter will provide some of the most prominent concepts related to computer
programming and languages.
A program consists of a series of instructions that a computer processes to perform the
required operation. In addition, it also includes some fixed data, required to perform the
instructions, and the process of defining those instructions and data. Thus, in order to design a
program, a programmer must determine three basic rudiments:
Development of a Program:
A program is a seat of instructions that instructs a computer how toperform a specific task. It is written in a high level language that can be implemented on a number of different processors. A collection of programs can be compared to a recipe book, where each recipe can be assumed as a program. Every recipe has a list of ingredients (fixed data) and a list of instructions detailing exactly what to do with those ingredients. When you follow a recipe, you are actually executing a program.
variety of tasks like receiving data, processing it, and producing useful results. However, being a
machine, the computer cannot perform on its own. A computer needs to be instructed to perform
even a simple task like adding two numbers. Computers work on a set of instructions called
computer program, which clearly specify the ways to carry out a task. An analogy of this may be
thought of as the instructions given by the manager or team leader to its team. The team
members follow those instructions and accordingly perform their duties. Similarly, a computer
also takes instructions, in the form of computer programs, and carries out the requested task.
Now the questions arises how human beings instruct computers. We, as human beings,
use natural languages such as English, Spanish, or French to communicate. Similarly, a user
communicates with the computer in a language understood by it. Note that human beings cannot
interact directly with the computer using natural languages because thus far we have not
developed such computers that can comprehend natural languages. Rather the instructions,
provided in the form of computer programs, are developed using computer or programming
languages. This chapter will provide some of the most prominent concepts related to computer
programming and languages.
A program consists of a series of instructions that a computer processes to perform the
required operation. In addition, it also includes some fixed data, required to perform the
instructions, and the process of defining those instructions and data. Thus, in order to design a
program, a programmer must determine three basic rudiments:
- The instructions to be performed.
- The order in which those instructions are to be performed.
- The data required to perform those instructions.
To perform a task using a program, a programmer has to consider various inputs of the
program along with the process, which is required to convert the input into desired output.
Suppose we want to calculate the sum of two numbers, A and B, and store the sum in C, here A
and B are the inputs addition is the process, and C is the output of the program.
program along with the process, which is required to convert the input into desired output.
Suppose we want to calculate the sum of two numbers, A and B, and store the sum in C, here A
and B are the inputs addition is the process, and C is the output of the program.
A program is a seat of instructions that instructs a computer how toperform a specific task. It is written in a high level language that can be implemented on a number of different processors. A collection of programs can be compared to a recipe book, where each recipe can be assumed as a program. Every recipe has a list of ingredients (fixed data) and a list of instructions detailing exactly what to do with those ingredients. When you follow a recipe, you are actually executing a program.
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