Computer program: Difference between revisions
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Generally programs are written to run on top of an [[operating system]], which in turn manages the hardware resources of a computer. | Generally programs are written to run on top of an [[operating system]], which in turn manages the hardware resources of a computer. | ||
There are a myriad of various ways to write a computer program. On a basic level one could write [[machine code]] designed to run directly on top of [hardware]]. This is a tedious task, and several other methods to create programs have evolved over the [[history of computing]] | There are a myriad of various ways to write a computer program. On a basic level one could write [[machine code]] designed to run directly on top of [[hardware]]. This is a tedious task, and several other methods to create programs have evolved over the [[history of computing]] | ||
In modern times typically if one chooses to write a program, a [[programming language]] is chosen and then the [[syntax]] of that language is learned. | In modern times typically if one chooses to write a program, a [[programming language]] is chosen (such as [[C programming language|C]], [[Java programming language|Java]] or [[Python programming language|Python]] and then the [[syntax]] of that language is learned. Over time a ''programmer'' learns various skills in order to "develop code." Some programmers consider themselves as much artists as engineers. | ||
Revision as of 23:16, 5 July 2009
In computing, computer programs at a basic level are bundles of instructions to be executed on a computer. Programs generally consist of code that is to be executed, process input, and as a result of processing return output to the user.
Computer programs can be as simple as a block of code that outputs "Hello world!" or complex enough to browse the Internet and display web pages (such as a web web browser program).
Generally programs are written to run on top of an operating system, which in turn manages the hardware resources of a computer.
There are a myriad of various ways to write a computer program. On a basic level one could write machine code designed to run directly on top of hardware. This is a tedious task, and several other methods to create programs have evolved over the history of computing
In modern times typically if one chooses to write a program, a programming language is chosen (such as C, Java or Python and then the syntax of that language is learned. Over time a programmer learns various skills in order to "develop code." Some programmers consider themselves as much artists as engineers.