About programming...

What is programming?


Is to make a computer do what you want it to do.

“Is a creative process done by programmers to instruct a computer on how to do a task” (David Bolton).

Programming languages:

They support different styles of programming. You have to select the most suitable languaje for the task.

The details look different in different languages, so here are some instructions to identify each one:

*Input: get data from a file, keyboard, or some other device.
*Output: display data on the screen or send data to a file or other device.
*Arithmetic: perform basic arithmetical operations like addition and multiplication.
*Conditional execution: check for certain conditions and execute the appropriate sequence of statements.
*Repetition:  perform some action repeatedly, usually with some variation.

 Variables and Data

Variables are a common feature of computer programs.

In everyday life, we often use variables. For example, we speak of an ‘address’. Here, ‘address’ is a variable whose value depends on the person under consideration. Other common variables are telephone number, name of school, subject, size of population, type of car, television model, etc.

Data is basically the information you need or your working with.

What is an algorithm?

"Is any set of detailed instructions which results in a predictable end-state from a known beginning. Algorithms are only as good as the instructions given, however, and the result will be incorrect if the algorithm is not properly defined" (Brendan McGuigan 2010).
A common example of an algorithm would be instructions for assembling a computer. Given the starting set of a number of marked pieces, one can follow the instructions given to result in a predictable end-state: the computer. Misprints in the instructions, or a failure to properly follow a step will result in a faulty end product.




References:

http://cplus.about.com/od/introductiontoprogramming/p/programmers.htm
http://www.brighthub.com/computing/windows-platform/articles/6842.aspx#ixzz1CtqCKAeo
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-algorithm.htm