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Unit 10: Programming Language

Computer programming is the process of transforming a mental plan in familiar terms into one Notes
compatible with the computer. Said another way, programming is the craft of transforming
requirements into something that a computer can execute.

10.1.1 Why Programming?
You may already have used software, perhaps for word processing or spreadsheets, to solve
problems. Perhaps now you are curious to learn how programmers write software. A program
is a set of step-by-step instructions that directs the computer to do the tasks you want it to do
and produce the results you want.

There are at least three good reasons for learning programming:
(a) Programming helps you understand computers. The computer is only a tool. If you learn
how to write simple programs, you will gain more knowledge about how a computer works.
(b) Writing a few simple programs increases your confidence level. Many people find great
personal satisfaction in creating a set of instructions that solve a problem.
(c) Learning programming lets you find out quickly whether you like programming and
whether you have the analytical turn of mind programmers need. Even if you decide
that programming is not for you, understanding the process certainly will increase your
appreciation of what programmers and computers can do.
A set of rules that provides a way of telling a computer what operations to perform is called a
programming language. There is not, however, just one programming language; there are many.
In this chapter you will learn about controlling a computer through the process of programming.
You may even discover that you might want to become a programmer.

An important point before we proceed: You will not be a programmer when you finish reading
this chapter or even when you finish reading the final chapter. Programming proficiency takes
practice and training beyond the scope of this book. However, you will become acquainted with
how programmers develop solutions to a variety of problems.
10.1.2 What Programmers Do?

In general, the programmer’s job is to convert problem solutions into instructions for the computer.
That is, the programmer prepares the instructions of a computer program and runs those instructions
on the computer, tests the program to see if it is working properly, and makes corrections to
the program. The programmer also writes a report on the program. These activities are all done
for the purpose of helping a user fill a need, such as paying employees, billing customers, or
admitting students to college.

The programming activities just described could be done, perhaps, as solo activities, but a
programmer typically interacts with a variety of people. For example, if a program is part of a
system of several programs, the programmer coordinates with other programmers to make sure
that the programs fit together well. If you were a programmer, you might also have coordination
meetings with users, managers, systems analysts, and with peers who evaluate your work-just
as you evaluate theirs.

10.2 Levels of Language in Computer Programming

Programming languages are said to be “lower” or “higher,” depending on how close they are
to the language the computer itself uses (Os and 1s = low) or to the language people use (more
English-like-high). We will consider five levels of language. They are numbered 1 through 5 to

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