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computer programming

summary

    This chapter is intended as an introduction to computer programming.

    Programming is problem solving and writing instructions for a computer.

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computer programming

    Programming is problem solving and writing instructions for a computer.

    The principles of programming are independent of the computer programming language used. Different languages have different strengths and weaknesses, making some kinds of programs easier or more difficult to write, but the basic principles remain the same regardless of language.

    A skilled programmer should be able to switch to a new programming language in a few hours.

    On the other hand, beginners should pick one language and learn it before attempting a second language. Normally this choice will be made by the school or the professor.

    There is the possibility that the professor might have created a custom version of this book that places everything in the order the professor thinks is best and deletes all materials that the professor views as outside the needs of the class (such as materials on other programming languages). The student is of course free to download the complete version of the book from this website.

    This free text book includes information on multiple programming languages. Unless instructed otherwise, you should concentrate on the language you are learning and skip over the others. Trying to learn the syntax and semantics of multiple programming languages at the same time as learning the basics of programming is a recipe for utter confusion.

    “As long as programmers cherish their freedom not only to design their own clever software, but also to modify adopted software according to their likings, a proper design discipline remains unlikely. And as long as companies secretly cherish complexity as an effective protection against being copied, there is little hope for dramatic improvements of the state of the art.” —Niklaus Wirth

programming as a skill

    I would like to strongly suggest that learning the principles of computer programming is far more valuable than learning a specific programming language.

   “Hire a programmer. He’s a programmer. You don’t need to hire a Java programmer. By the way, you should do that now anyway. Do not hire Java programmers, not because Java programmers are bad. But you should not be asking, “excuse me, what language do you program in? We’re only hiring Java programmers here.” Learning a language is a matter of a week. Oh, and to get skillful in the platform is a matter of another week or two or three or a month. Finding someone who actually knows how to write code, that’s the hard problem, so you don’t ask, “you must know Sprint.” No, you do not have to know Sprint. “you must know JavaScript.” No, you don’t have to know JavaScript. “Can you write code?” Show me code in any language. If you can write code, I’ll hire you.” —Robert C. Martin, The Last Programming Language, approximately 37:09

   “Learning how to code in any one particular [computer] language is not going to be worthwhile beyond 10 or 20 years. Learning how to problem-solve using algorithms and how technology works and how it’s built is going to last a century at least,” —Hadi Partovi, cofounder of code.org, For some, learning coding is a calculated strategy, Los Angeles Times , Business Section, Saturday, August 2, 2014, p. B1

other

   “7. It is easier to write an incorrect program than understand a correct one.” —Alan Perlis, Epigrams on Programming, ACM’s SIGPLAN Notices Volume 17, No. 9, September 1982, pages 7-13

   “93. When someone says ‘I want a programming language in which I need only say what I wish done,’ give him a lollipop.” —Alan Perlis, Epigrams on Programming, ACM’s SIGPLAN Notices Volume 17, No. 9, September 1982, pages 7-13

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