Introduction to Programming Languages

A set of rules, symbols, and structures used to communicate instructions to a computer.

The gradual evolution of languages from simple instructions to sophisticated languages

Different categories of programming languages, each with varying levels of abstraction and ease of use.

A programming approach that organizes software design around objects.

A programming paradigm that uses structured control flow statements like loops and conditional statements.

Assessing programming languages based on various factors: efficiency, ease of use, and suitability for particular tasks.

The historical progression of programming from early mechanical devices to modern computer languages.

The roots of programming are traced to earliest mechanical devices and numerical systems.

The rules that define the correct structure and order of elements in a programming language.

Clear syntax makes code easier to read, understand, and debug, reducing errors.

Confusing syntax can lead to programming errors and make debugging difficult.

Guidelines for writing code, ensuring consistency and readability.

Standards like naming conventions and commenting make code easier to understand.

The process of analyzing code to understand its structure and meaning.

Difficult-to-parse languages can make programming more error-prone and debugging more challenging.

Algorithms are sets of instructions that solve problems, and they are fundamental to programming languages.

A method of programming where you break a large problem into smaller, manageable modules (like building blocks). These modules are then designed and tested independently, and finally combined to form the complete program.

Breaking a large program into smaller, self-contained units called modules. Each module has a specific purpose and can be developed, tested, and reused independently.

Modularity improves code readability, maintainability, and reusability. It allows for easier testing and bug-fixing, as changes can be made to individual modules without affecting the entire program.

An object-oriented programming language based on C. It adds features like classes, objects, and inheritance to the structured programming paradigm, making it more powerful and complex.

A software development approach that emphasizes speed and agility. It uses tools and techniques to quickly create prototypes and working software, often relying on graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

Popular RAD systems designed specifically for Windows, offering drag-and-drop tools to create graphical user interfaces more efficiently.

The ability for objects of different classes to respond to the same message (or operation) in their own unique way.

Polymorphism lets developers reuse code by using the same operation name for different objects, making code cleaner and easier to maintain.

Polymorphism allows developers to use the same operation name for different objects, reducing the need to create unique names for similar operations.

The practice of bundling data and the methods that operate on that data within a single unit (an object), hiding internal details from the outside world.

The principle of protecting an object's internal data and methods from direct access by other parts of the program, promoting modularity and data integrity.

A self-contained unit in object-oriented programming that combines data (attributes) and actions (methods) that can interact with other objects.

A blueprint or template used to create objects, defining the shared attributes and methods that objects of that class will have.

A request sent to an object to perform a specific action or retrieve some data.

A program that translates source code written in a high-level programming language into machine-readable code (object code) that a computer can directly execute.

A program that interprets and executes source code line by line, without producing a separate object code file.

Categories of data that determine how the compiler or interpreter will treat and store information, such as whole numbers, fractional numbers, characters, and strings.

A data type used to represent whole numbers, without fractional parts.

A data type used to represent numbers with decimal points, allowing for fractional values.

A data type used to represent single letters, symbols, or digits.

A data type that can hold only one of two values: TRUE or FALSE.

A simplified, informal description of a program's logic and steps, using everyday language and common programming structures. It's like a rough draft that helps you plan your code before writing it in a specific programming language.

A set of instructions that solves a specific problem step-by-step. It's like a recipe for a computer to follow to achieve a desired result.

It helps programmers plan and organize their code before writing it in a specific programming language. It makes the code easier to understand and debug.

The actual instructions written in a specific programming language that the computer can understand and execute. It's like the 'blueprint' of your program.

The process of translating source code written in a programming language into machine language (binary code) that the computer can directly understand and execute.

A visual representation of an algorithm, showing the steps and decision points in a program's logic. It uses symbols and connecting arrows to illustrate the flow of control.

A fundamental concept in programming where data is taken in (input), manipulated (processed), and then displayed or stored (output). This cycle describes how a program interacts with the world.

A computer program is a set of instructions that tells a computer how to perform a specific task. They are designed to automate processes, solve problems, and provide information.