Introduction to Programming

Study Notes

Programming is the process of designing, writing, testing, and maintaining the instructions that computers follow to perform a specific task.
It involves creating algorithms, which are step-by-step procedures for solving a problem or achieving a particular goal.

Low-level languages: Close to machine language, used for operating systems and firmware. Examples: Assembly language, Machine language.
High-level languages: Easier for humans to read and write, used for application development. Examples: Python, Java, C++.
Scripting languages: Used for rapid development and prototyping. Examples: JavaScript, Ruby, Python.
Declarative languages: Focus on specifying what the program should accomplish, rather than how. Examples: Prolog, SQL.

** Imperative programming**: Focus on steps to achieve a goal, using statements that modify state. Examples: C, Java.
Object-oriented programming: Organize code into objects that contain data and functions that operate on that data. Examples: Java, C++, Python.
Functional programming: Emphasize the use of pure functions, immutability, and recursion. Examples: Haskell, Lisp, Scala.

Variables: Store and manipulate data in a program.
Control structures: If-else statements, loops (for, while, do-while), and switch statements.
Functions: Reusable blocks of code that take arguments and return values.
Data structures: Arrays, lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs.
Algorithms: Step-by-step procedures for solving a problem or achieving a particular goal.

Text editors: Simple text editors like Notepad, or advanced editors like Visual Studio Code.
Integrated Development Environments (IDEs): Provide an all-in-one environment for coding, debugging, and testing. Examples: Eclipse, NetBeans, IntelliJ IDEA.
Compilers: Translate source code into machine code. Examples: GCC, Java Compiler.
Debuggers: Help identify and fix errors in a program. Examples: GDB, Java Debugger.

Programming is the process of designing, writing, testing, and maintaining instructions for computers to perform a specific task.
It involves creating algorithms, which are step-by-step procedures for solving a problem or achieving a particular goal.

Low-level languages are close to machine language and used for operating systems and firmware, examples include Assembly language and Machine language.
High-level languages are easier for humans to read and write, used for application development, examples include Python, Java, and C++.
Scripting languages are used for rapid development and prototyping, examples include JavaScript, Ruby, and Python.
Declarative languages focus on specifying what the program should accomplish, rather than how, examples include Prolog and SQL.

Imperative programming focuses on steps to achieve a goal, using statements that modify state, examples include C and Java.
Object-oriented programming organizes code into objects that contain data and functions that operate on that data, examples include Java, C++, and Python.
Functional programming emphasizes the use of pure functions, immutability, and recursion, examples include Haskell, Lisp, and Scala.

Variables are used to store and manipulate data in a program.
Control structures include if-else statements, loops (for, while, do-while), and switch statements.
Functions are reusable blocks of code that take arguments and return values.
Data structures include arrays, lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs.
Algorithms are step-by-step procedures for solving a problem or achieving a particular goal.

Text editors are simple text editors like Notepad or advanced editors like Visual Studio Code.
Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) provide an all-in-one environment for coding, debugging, and testing, examples include Eclipse, NetBeans, and IntelliJ IDEA.
Compilers translate source code into machine code, examples include GCC and Java Compiler.
Debuggers help identify and fix errors in a program, examples include GDB and Java Debugger.