What is Programming?
Programming is the process of giving instructions to a computer to make it perform specific tasks. These instructions are written in a language that the computer can understand, called a programming language.
In short, programming is how you tell a computer what to do!
Automate Tasks: You can automate repetitive tasks, like sorting a list of names or calculating large sums.
Create Software: Programming lets you create applications, websites, games, and more.
Solve Problems: You can use programming to solve complex problems, like finding the shortest route on a map or predicting the weather
Why Computers Understand only Binary Language?
Computers understand only binary because they are built using electronic circuits that operate on two states: on and off. These two states are represented by the digits 0 and 1, which form the binary number system.
Importance Of Flowcharts in Programming!
A flowchart is a diagram that represents the flow of a process or an algorithm. It’s a visual way to map out the steps a program or process will take. Flowcharts use different shapes to represent different types of actions or steps, making it easier to understand the logic of a program before writing any code.
Basic Flowchart Symbols
Oval (Start/End): Represents the beginning or end of a process.
- Example: Start or End.
Rectangle (Process): Represents a step in the process, like a task or action.
- Example: Calculate sum.
Diamond (Decision): Represents a decision point where the flow can branch into different paths based on a condition (like an
ifstatement in code).- Example: Is the number greater than 10?
Arrow (Flow Line): Shows the direction of flow from one step to the next.
- Example: Move from "Start" to "Input Data."
Parallelogram (Input/Output): Represents input or output operations, like reading data or displaying results.
- Example: Enter a number or print a message.
Example Flowchart
Let’s say we want to create a program that checks if a number is even or odd. Here’s how a flowchart might look:
Start: Begin the process.
Input Number: Ask the user to input a number.
Check Even/Odd: Use a decision (diamond) to check if the number is divisible by 2.
If yes, go to step 4.
If no, go to step 5.
Print Even: Output "The number is even."
Print Odd: Output "The number is odd."
End: The process ends.
Difference Between High Level Programming Language and Low level Programming Language?
High-Level Languages
Easy to Understand: They are like speaking in plain language. They are designed to be readable and straightforward for humans.
Less Control: They don’t give you much direct control over how your computer's hardware works.
Slow Performance: They might be slower because they need to be translated into machine language.
Portable: You can often run the same code on different types of computers without many changes.
Examples: Python, Java, JavaScript.
Low-Level Languages
Harder to Understand: They are closer to how the computer actually works, which can be more complex and harder for humans to read.
More Control: They give you direct control over the computer’s hardware and memory.
Fast Performance: They can be very fast because they work closely with the hardware.
Less Portable: Code written in low-level languages is usually specific to one type of computer or hardware.
Examples: Assembly language, C (sometimes considered both high and low level).
Understanding, What is Compiler and Interpreter?
Compiler
Analogy: A chef who prepares the entire meal before you eat.
What It Does: Translates the entire program from a high-level language into machine code (binary) all at once before running it.
How It Works: The whole program is compiled first, and then you run the compiled code.
Example: C++ uses a compiler.
Interpreter
What It Does: Translates and executes the program code line-by-line or statement-by-statement at runtime.
How It Works: It reads and executes the code directly, so you don’t need to compile it first.
Example: Python uses an interpreter.
Analogy: A chef who cooks and serves each dish one at a time.