What is Programming: Definition and 1000 Discussions

Computer programming is the process of designing and building an executable computer program to accomplish a specific computing result or to perform a specific task. Programming involves tasks such as: analysis, generating algorithms, profiling algorithms' accuracy and resource consumption, and the implementation of algorithms in a chosen programming language (commonly referred to as coding). The source code of a program is written in one or more languages that are intelligible to programmers, rather than machine code, which is directly executed by the central processing unit. The purpose of programming is to find a sequence of instructions that will automate the performance of a task (which can be as complex as an operating system) on a computer, often for solving a given problem. Proficient programming thus often requires expertise in several different subjects, including knowledge of the application domain, specialized algorithms, and formal logic.
Tasks accompanying and related to programming include: testing, debugging, source code maintenance, implementation of build systems, and management of derived artifacts, such as the machine code of computer programs. These might be considered part of the programming process, but often the term software development is used for this larger process with the term programming, implementation, or coding reserved for the actual writing of code. Software engineering combines engineering techniques with software development practices. Reverse engineering is a related process used by designers, analysts and programmers to understand and re-create/re-implement.

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  1. I

    Comp Sci First time programming ever and my first project has 1-21 errors in c++

    Homework Statement #include <iostream> using namespace std; int main() { int firstNo;// first number is stored here int secondNo, int resultAdd,// variable for result when first number and second number are added int resultSub,// variable for result when first number and second...
  2. P

    Programming GPIB Instruments in Labview: Need Help!

    Hello all, I am trying to program a GPIB instrument (voltmeter and oscilloscope) in labview. I already have all the drivers set up, but I am having trouble finding easy to understand documentation on how to program these instruments. Does you know of any? Right now I am stuck on trying to...
  3. S

    Understand the Output of 1000*1000 in C Programming

    Hello, I want to know the answer of following program and the reason behind it...as soon as possible void main() { float j; j=1000*1000; printf("%f",j); }
  4. V

    How Can a Coffee Company Maximize Profit Using Linear Programming?

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  5. C

    C Programming for Mechanical Engineers: Benefits & Applications

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  6. R

    Matlab/c++ programming question

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  7. D

    MATLAB Will I Become Fluent in C++ and MATLAB After Taking Engineering 101?

    This fall I will be taking the class "Engineering 101: Introduction to Computers and Programming". The general course description can be found http://www.engin.umich.edu/courses/eng101/" . It says that we will be learning C++ and MATLAB. I am just wondering how well I will actually know these...
  8. A

    What Makes a Good Blog About Physics and Programming?

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  9. S

    Electric Engineering Curriculum no programming class?

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  10. R

    Operating system and programming language

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  11. E

    PHP PHP programming, image processing

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  12. R

    Multiplying Columns of Numbers in C Programming

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  13. B

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  14. W

    Calculators Where Can I Find Resources for Programming HP35s Calculators?

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  15. O

    Question about the programming you learn during Theoretical Physics

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  16. S

    Do electrical engineers need to know programming?

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  17. J

    Fortran Programming in FORTRAN - Begginer

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  18. C

    Is programming a good fit for me?

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  19. G

    Help with programming a Keithley 220 Current Source in C++

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  20. H

    The Next Step in Learning C Programming: Suggestions & Resources

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  21. Q

    Comp Sci Fixing HashMap Values Issue in Java Programming

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  22. J

    C Programming: Printing Prime Numbers from 1 to 20

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  23. A

    Integer Programming help please T__T

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  24. M

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  25. A

    Using Linear Programming to Optimize a New Restaurant

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  26. J

    Physics Cosmology/Physics and programming

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  27. rcgldr

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  28. M

    Programming pic microcontrollers using assembly language

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  29. D

    Should i go to programming class?

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  30. rcgldr

    The first programming language you learned?

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  31. G

    How do I start to learn programming?

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  32. L

    Comp Sci Programming an interface in Java

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  33. P

    The Benefits of Programming for Theoretical Physics

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  34. T

    Programming Binary Addition with a Turing Machine

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  35. S

    Mathematical programming (simplex method)

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  36. R

    Recommend books on Python/ C++ Programming

    idk if some of you remember Recommend a book on Python Programming thread i created a while back. As some of you suggested, i bought Lutz's book. I've looked into (or at least skimmed through) most of the book...i really liked it. I'm currently working on GUI Tkinter, it seems interesting...
  37. M

    Simplex Method - Programming Problem

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  38. D

    Discover the Best Programming Language for Beginners | MechE Student's Journey

    I've recently decided to really try and learn a computer language for the first time. I've had a standard computer science course that covered C material but I found that language to be overly tedious and absolutely miserable. Matlab was interesting, and I enjoy using it for dynamics and other...
  39. H

    GPU Programming: Exploring Benefits of Faster Computing

    I've seen references to using the graphics processing unit (GPU) of computers instead of the CPU for scientific / general purpose computing: http://groups.google.com/group/sci.math.num-analysis/browse_thread/thread/76eac4d19d044096/0c46d5c5e04deeb3?lnk=gst&q=GPU#0c46d5c5e04deeb3 but can't...
  40. D

    Programming Advice for Physics BSc Student

    Ok, let me introduce you to my problem. I am very interested in and am actively applying to many summer research positions but I find myself somewhat limited towards what I can apply for. My issue is that most of the positions, if not all, want programming experience and I have only done 1...
  41. T

    Comp Sci Borland C++ programming quistion, what's wrong with my program

    This program is supposed to add 2 integers ,according to the compiler, there are 2 warnings and 1 error ,the error is (undefined symbol' end') the warnings are 'sum' and 'y' are declared but never used here is the program : # include <iostream> # include <conio.h> intmain() { int x; int...
  42. B

    What language is best for programming a MUD/online game bot?

    My goal is just a simple bot that could "play" or do basic functions without human aid, on a online game of some sort, for example facebook's farmville or something similar.
  43. P

    Programming a 7 segment display timer

    Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me, I am studying industrial design at Loughborough and as part of my coursework I am re-designing a stopwatch. Along with this coursework I need to submit a simulation of the electronics that would be involved. We have all ben given a basic circuit...
  44. S

    3 Variable Linear Programming Question

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  45. S

    Maximize Profit w/ Linear Programming: Omega Mfg Co

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  46. G

    Codelab excercise 2- computer programming part 1

    Homework Statement 1) Given three already declared int variables, i , j , and temp , write some code that swaps the values in i and j . Use temp to hold the value of i and then assign j 's value to i . The original value of i , which was saved in temp , can now be assigned to j . 2)...
  47. G

    Codelab excercise 2- computer programming

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  48. E

    Learning parallel programming

    Hello folks. I just finished my phd in theoretical chemistry and my work thus far hasn't involved any parallel programming. In the future I'm sure I'll be expected to know and use parallel methods, so I'm trying to learn it now. The books that I'm reading from begin by describing the different...
  49. R

    Fortran Learn Fortran Programming: Tips & Resources

    Hi , i need help in writing fortran code.? can any suggest me best site or where to approach?
  50. K

    Linear Programming Constraints

    I'm trying to minimize a function over a rather complicated surface. I'm using an algorithm that takes an initial guess, finds the tangent plane at that point, minimizes using a linear programming algorithm, then (tries to) project back onto the complicated surface. More specifically, if \xi...
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