Basics of programming language | What is a prog. language?

In this article, we will cover the basics of programming language including basic concepts of programming, How to Learn Programming, Necessary Skills, How to choose a programming language, the basics of programming language commands etc.

We will also explore how do computers work and how & where can we apply these programming skills and career options for programmers.

So let’s dive deeper and explore the basics of programming language.

Programming language is made up of 2 words.

Programming + Language

Let’s discuss these two words in detail

1 What is programming

Technically, programming means a set of instructions given to the computer by the developers or programmers to accomplish a particular task as per the valid input.

For example

1) If we give 2*2 input to the computer, it will return 4

2) a=b+c, where a,b,c are the variables in programming.
If b = 55 and c = 45, the value of b and c are the input values.
The answer will be a=100 which is our desired output.

So, basically here as you can see simple IPO cycle is used i.e., Input –> Processing –> Output

This means the input is given by the user, processed by the computer and output is produced accordingly.

2 What is language

As we all know language is a means of communication. For example, you are reading this article in the English language and I am communicating with you.

In our daily life, we use a lot of languages for interaction.

Eg:- English, Hindi, German, French etc, etc languages are used by humans to interact with each other because humans understand only these languages.

Combining the above two answers, we can say that programming language is a means of communication between the user and the computer.

Just like the Languages which we use to interact with each other have several elements, programming languages are also made up of several elements.

The computer understands only machine language.

So, have you ever wondered how are able to see the various languages apart from machine language which is 0 or 1?

Here comes the role of the language translator which converts the input given by the.

Elements included in programming languages

• Programming Environment
• Basic Syntax
• Data Types
• Variables
• Keywords
• Basic Operators
• Decision Making
• Loops
• Numbers
• Characters
• Arrays
• Strings
• Functions
• File I/O

Let’s have a brief intro to these elements.

1. Syntax: Each programming language has its own unique syntax, which is the set of rules for writing code in that language. This includes things like the structure of statements, the use of keywords and operators, and the format of comments.
2. Variables: A variable is a named storage location in memory that can hold a value, such as a number or a string of text. Variables allow programmers to store and manipulate data in a program.
3. Data Types: Different programming languages have different data types, which are used to define the type of data that a variable can hold. Common data types include integers, floating point numbers, strings, and booleans.
4. Control Flow: Control flow refers to the way that a program runs, and how it makes decisions based on certain conditions. This is accomplished using control statements such as if-else, while and for loops.
5. Functions: A function is a block of code that can be reused throughout a program. Functions are used to break down a program into smaller, more manageable pieces, and to make code more organized and readable.
6. Libraries: A library is a collection of pre-written code that can be used to perform common tasks. These include things like reading and writing files, connecting to databases, and performing complex mathematical calculations.
7. Classes and Objects: Classes and objects are fundamental concepts in object-oriented programming languages like Java and C++.
   A class is a template for an object, and an object is an instance of a class. Classes and objects allow programmers to model real-world concepts in their code.

Types of programming languages

Programming Languages can be divided into two categories

1 Low-Level Languages 2 High-Level Languages

Further, these are categorised into more categories.

What are the basics of programming language?

Here I’m assuming that you have very basic knowledge of programming and I want this article to give you the basics so that you can be able to understand how programming languages work.

Just like the other languages, computer programming languages also has their own grammar. In terms of programming languages, grammar is syntax, semantics and structure i.e., these programming languages also have a set of rules which describes their structure.

Let’s summarise the basics of programming language:

• A programming language is a set of instructions and rules used to create a software program.
• It is used to instruct a computer to perform specific tasks, such as performing calculations, storing and retrieving data, and controlling the flow of a program.
• Some common types of programming languages include C++, Java, Python, and JavaScript.
• Each language has its own syntax, and it is important for a programmer to be proficient in one or more programming languages in order to create software programs.

How to choose a programming language?

Computer programming can be done in various languages and each language has its own way of assembling the codes, known as syntax.

You can select any language depending upon your requirements like your skill in the chosen language, compatibility, security, robustness, platform dependencies etc.

In my next article, we will start with an Introduction to C language and dive deeper into it.

Watch my video on the basics of programming language in Hindi and subscribe to my channel for more videos.

If you have any queries or cross-questions regarding the concepts which I have explained, you can always contact me or just drop your comment below and I will revert you as soon as possible.

Basic Programming Language for Beginners

There are several programming languages that are well-suited for beginners, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some popular choices include:

1. Python: Python is a high-level programming language that is easy to learn, with a simple and consistent syntax. It is widely used in scientific computing, data analysis, and artificial intelligence.
2. JavaScript: JavaScript is a popular programming language that is used to create interactive web pages. It is widely supported by web browsers, and it is easy to get started with.
3. Scratch: Scratch is a visual programming language designed for children and beginners. It is easy to learn, with a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to create interactive games and animations.
4. Java: Java is a popular programming language that is widely used for developing enterprise applications and Android mobile apps. It has a robust set of libraries and frameworks, and it is often taught in schools and universities.
5. C#: C# is a modern programming language developed by Microsoft. It is widely used for developing Windows desktop applications and games.

Ultimately, the best programming language for a beginner will depend on their goals and interests. It’s a good idea to try a few different languages to find one that you enjoy working with.

More to read:

Top 100+ C interview questions for freshers

Basics of Variables in C for programmers | 2 Types of variables

Data Types in C | Programming Concept | 4 Types of data types

Introduction to C Language | What is C? | Why learn C language?

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