Introduction to Programming Concepts

Study Notes

Programming is a process of creating instructions for computers.
These instructions are known as code.
Programming has many important applications, such as:
- Creating innovative solutions for global problems
- Automating tasks, collecting and managing data, and performing calculations and analysis
- Speeding up input and output processes in machines

A computer program is a series of instructions that tells a computer what to do.
Programs are written in programming languages.
Programming Languages (PL) are language designed to communicate instructions to a computer.
Each programming language has its unique grammar called syntax.
A programmer writes source code using a programming language.
Source code is a set of instructions and statements.
Source code can be written in low-level or high-level languages.
Source code must be translated into machine language (binary form) by a language translator.
An assembler translates programs written in assembly language into low-level language.
An interpreter translates one statement at a time and executes it immediately after translation.
- Examples: JavaScript, Python, Ruby
A compiler translates all statements at once and provides error messages called diagnostics.
- Examples: C, C++, Java

Low-level languages use instructions directly tied to a specific type of computer.
- Often cryptic and not human-readable.
- Examples: machine language, assembly language
High-level languages use instructions that are more English-like.
- Can be run on different types of computers.
- Human-readable.
- Examples: Visual Basic, C, C++, Java

Assembly language is a low-level language.
Instructions are written in 0s and 1s, which is called machine language or machine code.
Each computer has its own unique machine language.
Writing in machine language is tedious.
Example: 0100 0001 = capital ‘A’

A programming paradigm is a style or approach to programming.
Different paradigms offer different ways to solve problems using programming languages.
A procedure-oriented paradigm focuses on the tasks a program needs to perform.
- The programmer explicitly instructs the computer on each step of the process.
- Example: A payroll program would take input, calculate gross pay, taxes, and net pay, then output a paycheck.
An object-oriented paradigm focuses on the objects a program can use to achieve its goal.
- Objects can take different forms, such as check boxes, list boxes, and more.
- Example: Windows-based programs often use objects like check boxes and list boxes.