Scribd
Upload
1 views

programmingCompleteAssignment

Sorie

Uploaded by

kabbabangura87
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1 views

programmingCompleteAssignment

Sorie

Uploaded by

kabbabangura87
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

OVERVIEW OF COMPUTERS

A computer is an electronic device that receives data, processes it using various computations,
and generates results. These functions are accomplished by giving the computer a program
consisting of a sequence of statements called a program segment. A computer system
consists of multiple objects with a process. The objects of a computer system include the user,
hardware (input devices, CPU, output devices), and software. For example, an educational
system involves teachers and students as objects, with the teaching process.

HOW DOES THE COMPUTER WORK?

To instruct a computer on what to do, a programmer writes a program and creates data. The
program and data are stored on disk, and the programmer then commands the computer to
execute the program on the specific data. The Control Unit (CU) copies the program and data
into memory, keeping track of the current instruction to perform. This process can be compared
to preparing tea, where adding ingredients, boiling, and getting tea is analogous to input,
processing, and output, respectively.

KEY TERMINOLOGIES

- Computer Program: A set or series of instructions used to operate a computer at a particular


time to produce a specific result.

- Programming Languages: Languages used to create computer programs.

- Software: Programs or a set of programs.

- Syntax: The set of rules for writing correct language statements.

- Compiler: A program that converts high-level language programs into machine language.

- Assembler: A program that converts assembly level language programs into machine language.

- Interpreter: A program that translates and executes high-level language statements into
machine language instructions.
COMPUTER LANGUAGES

Programming languages are categorized into five generations based on their performance,
reliability, and robustness. These generations include:

1. 1GL: Low-level languages written in binary code.

2. 2GL: Assembly languages that use symbolic names for opcodes and operands.

3. 3GL: High-level procedural languages using English-like words for instructions.

4. 4GL: Non-procedural languages used in database programming and scripting.

5. 5GL: Visual programming languages based on artificial intelligence.

OVERVIEW OF HIGH-LEVEL VS LOW-LEVEL PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES

High-level languages provide abstraction from hardware, making programming easier. Some
characteristics include readability, portability, abstraction, memory management, and rich
libraries. Examples include Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript. Low-level languages provide
direct hardware control and efficiency but have a steeper learning curve. Examples include
Assembly Language and Machine Code.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR A PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

When selecting a programming language, consider factors such as project requirements, team
expertise, ecosystem and libraries, tooling and development environment, performance and
efficiency, portability and compatibility, scalability and maintenance, security, and cost and
resources.

SETTING UP THE PROGRAMMING ENVIRONMENT

To set up the programming environment:

1. Choose the programming language.


2. Install the programming language.

3. Choose an Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

4. Install and configure the IDE.

5. Verify the installation.

6. Install additional packages and libraries.

7. Configure environment variables if necessary.

8. Run and debug your code.

9. Use additional tools and plugins.

INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT (IDE)

An IDE is a software application that provides facilities for software development, including a
source code editor, build tools, and a debugger. IDEs enhance productivity with features like
version control, syntax highlighting, code completion, and extensions.

BASIC SYNTAX AND DATA TYPES

Data types classify data, define variable values, and determine operations and storage. Primitive
data types are independent, composite data types combine primitive types, and user-defined
data types are based on existing types. Common primitive data types include Integer, Floating
Point, Character, Boolean, Date, Time, and Datetime.

WRITING AND EDITING PROGRAMS

Text editors are used to write, change, and save program code in source code files. Examples
include Notepad++.

COMPILING PROGRAMS
Compilers translate high-level language source code into machine language object code.
Compilation converts the entire program into an executable machine code file. Examples of
compilers include Turbo C, Borland C, and GC.

You might also like