A computer program is made up of a chain of instructions that a computer must execute. These instructions may come with other important data that is needed to carry out those instructions. Therefore, the programming process involves the definition of instructions and data. Before you can generate data for your computer, you must be familiar with the basics of computer programming and the three fundamental elements of data:
1. Instructions that need to be carried out.
2. Order in which the instructions must be carried out.
3. Data necessary to carry out the instructions.
The first stage of computer programming basically involves processes on paper. At this stage, you don’t even need to work using a computer, however, if you use a word processor that will allow you to type your work into a disk file instead of on a piece of paper. You should do this so that you can clearly and more specifically determine what you want your computer to do before you start instructing the computer to execute it.
Note that the computer will follow the instructions exactly as they are given. You can’t say what you want; rather it can do what you want it to do. So before your program goes anywhere near a computer, you need to go through several steps including:
– Defining the problem
Before telling the computer what to do, you must first become familiar with it. You must clearly tell the computer what it must achieve or generate as a result of all the activities it will perform.
– Identify the solution
If you already know what the computer will produce as the end result, you need to take a close look at the information you have and determine what information you need. You also need to define the logic procedures, equations, and other methods that you must use in order to manipulate the raw input data into the final result that you want to achieve.
– Mapping of the solution
This stage in computer programming has to be presented in the correct order. Don’t forget that the sequence in which the actions are used is just as important as the actions themselves. By arranging the solution in the correct order, you will be aware of the options.
When you have finished defining the problem, as well as designing and mapping the solution, the next thing to do is to begin the task of writing the program code in one or more computer languages. But before proceeding, you must first decide on the possible languages you need to use, as well as the particular computing platform.
Programming languages are generally optimized for various types of tasks. Therefore, it is important to first select the language that will best follow the required task. In fact, learning the basics of computer programming is the first step an aspiring programmer should arm himself with, especially if he wants to pursue a career in the field.