Monday, January 5, 2009

Form5 : 5.1.1 – Define Program & Programming Language

PROGRAM

A computer program is a series of organised instructions that directs a computer to perform tasks. Without programs, computers are useless.

A program is like a recipe. It contains a list of variables (called ingredients) and a list of statements (called directions) that tell the computer what to do with the variables.

Like a recipe, a program can be written in different programming languages which may express the steps differently according to the programming language syntax, but deliver the same end result.

PROGRAMMING

Programming is a creation of a set of commands or instructions which directs a computer in carrying out a task.

Later these commands or instructions will be compiled and/or interpreted and then transformed to executable instructions that a computer or electronic device can execute or run.

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

A programming language is a set of words, symbols and codes that enables humans to communicate with computers.

It is a language used for writing computer programs, that direct a computer to perform computation and to organise the flow of control between mechanical devices.

EXAMPLES OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

Hundreds of programming languages exist today. Each language has its own standard or rules for writing the commands and/or instructions.

Examples of programming languages are:

* BASIC (Beginner’s All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code)

* Pascal

* C

* Smalltalk.

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