Fundamentals of Programming

Study Notes

Algorithm: A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem in a limited number of steps.
Pseudocode: An algorithm written in English-like statements.
Electricity: The essential energy source for powering a computer.
Program: A set of instructions guiding a computer's operations.
Programmer: The person responsible for developing a program.
Machine Language: A low-level programming language directly understood by computers.
Binary: The representation of data using only 1s and 0s; also known as machine language or low-level language.
Mnemonic code: Alphabetic abbreviations used in program coding.
Compiler: A software tool that translates high-level programming languages into low-level machine code.
High Level Language: Programming languages that use English-like syntax, requiring compilers or interpreters to translate into machine code.
Input Stream: A series of characters transmitted from an input device to the computer.
Insertion Operator: The greater than symbol (">") used in programming.
Flowchart: A visual representation of an algorithm through labeled symbols and interconnected lines, illustrating the sequence of steps and operations.

Start/Stop symbol: A symbol that marks the beginning and end of a flowchart, typically containing the words "Start" and "Stop".
Flow Lines: Lines connecting flowchart symbols to indicate the sequence and direction of the process.
Initialization Symbol: Used to define or assign an initial value to a variable.
Input/Output Symbol: Represents data input or output operations.
Process Symbol: Represents calculations or other processing operations.
Decision Symbol: Represents a point where the flow of the program branches based on a condition.
Connector Symbol: Used to connect different parts of a flowchart on the same page, marked with the same letter.
Off-Page Connector Symbol: Used to connect different parts of a flowchart on separate pages, marked with the same letter.
Comment Symbol: Provides additional information about other flowchart symbols in the form of comments or remarks.
Subroutine Symbol: Indicates a specific routine or block of code used in the program.

Sequence Structure: A linear flow of operations, where steps are executed sequentially.
Selection Structure (Conditionals): Decision-making structures, where the program chooses an execution path based on a condition, typically using 'if' and 'else' statements.
Repetition Structure (Loops): Constructs used to repeatedly execute blocks of code until a specific condition is met.

Identifier: A unique name given to variables, functions, or other program objects.
Variable: A named storage location used to hold data in a program.