What is programming and what is does it all mean?

Question

So I understand what a program is and that's probably all my knowledge. But I don't even know how software even works. Let's say we pop open a random file that says class or whatever. So it pops open and I don't even know what all the random numbers symbols and all these different things mean. Basically I want to know what coding is how to make programs and what their for and what they mean. I just know how to use a computer like an average person. Like I only know what they teach you 5th about computers. That's about it. I also want to know what these command things are and how cmd, java, c++ or whatever that thing is, python, etc. and how they all magically work together and create things like iTunes and Microsoft Word and minecraft. So I could make my stuff. Thanks. On a scale from 0 to Steve Jobs being 100. My knowledge of computers is still 0.

Answer 1

You will remain unintelligible until you take a course at your local community college. This will give you a basic understanding on the codes used to accomplish basic task. YA! isn't capable of giving you the explanation due to the limits of characters allowed in one answer. Each coding system is unique to a program. A program is what allows for certain paths to become opened so that the user can transmit the program's allowable communication aspects. Also, these things may seem magical, because you don't understand the ability of technology. And, it is difficult to acquire, because understanding is being sought out by extremely evil sources in order to destroy understanding.

The illuminati are the leaders of programming the current social network system. Understanding can not exist under these types of leads and therefore programming is threatened to become obsolete because this entity seeks to destroy understanding programming and all aspects of the consumers ability to have a direct knowledge and working of the operating systems. Illuminati wants to use the programs to intrude of personal rights of people. And, will not allow free lance workings of any kind. They have initiated this action world wide already.

The US is the resistance and a home to understanding, and it is the only nation that is holding back the monster illuminati. Once you begin your study you will see how illuminati, a monopoly is threatening you hopes for a future as a programmer. This issue is much bigger than you would want to believe. So, if you really want to become a programmer, stay safe and keep this in mind.

So getting a book and reading it, is a start. But these codes change each year, because understanding is on the run. Staying on top of this years technology is very important to becoming a successful programmer. The science is hard to grasp not because it is difficult, but it is evasive.

Answer 2

Steve Jobs didn't actually know very much about how computers work. He wasn't a techie, he was just really good at marketing. Even Bill Gates did way more actual programming back in his day than Steve Jobs ever did.



With that being said: The subject is enormous. I've been programming for about a decade now and I've barely scratched the surface. Much of the software we use on an everyday basis is so complicated that NO single human being has ever understood the entire thing, and most of the people involved in creating it probably don't even understand all the layers that it has to operate on simultaneously.



You'll never understand all of it, but the only way to understand ANY of it is to start learning. And you can start wherever you like, although you'll probably want to pursue the subject in a way that fits your existing interests and goals. It's best to learn by going one step at a time, while doing things that you also enjoy for their own sake, so try to find a path that works like that for you.

Answer 3

Basically, programming is writing instructions for the computer to interpret. There are many types of programming languages and they all specialize in doing certain things. There are two types of programming languages. Compiled, like C++ and Java, and Interpreted, like Python and Lua. Compiled languages have to go through a compiler to execute their code. a compiler is a program that takes the program and translates it into computer code. A interpreted language is a language that can be directly run, without the need for a compiler. As for the symbols, they do certain things. In languages like C++ and Java, the symbol { and } signify a group of code. In Python, the symbol # represents a comment(human language that is used to inform readers about what code does).In order to make programs, you need to know how to program. There are many free online sites that can teach you that, and parts of any bookstore are devoted to programming books. As for which language you should learn first, that depends on what you want to be able to do. If you want to be able to create games, then i suggest you start with Java then C++, then Lua. If you are making an app for a business the i would suggest something like C# and the .NET framework. Creating stuff like Word and ITunes takes a long time and an extensive knowledge of the language. About the commands, i need you to be more specific.

Answer 4

It is interesting that you chose Steve Jobs as being 100 as far as being proficient in coding when that is probably the furthest thing from the truth. Jobs was little more than a salesman for the fruit company. I would probably rated him a 25-30. It is the "galley slaves", the geeks who are chained to their desks for 8 hours or more per day in their cubicles that do all the coding.



So, you asked a very broad question about coding and programs in general almost as if you were saying "explain computers to me".



The short answer to your question is thus:



The files that you talk about (the random symbol stuff) are binary executable files which basically are memory images which get loaded from the hard drive to memory and then executed (run). In order to get an executable, one can use a compiler or assembler such as C++, Java, and Visual Basic among the many available languages. These are higher level languages that we humans can understand and they, in the end, produce the binary executables mentioned above. There are, of course, zillions of different types of files that are used by different programs. For instance, there are.avi and .wmv files which are audio/video files used by programs that display video and sound for our amusement.



As the scope of your question would fill volumes, it is perhaps better to not reinvent the wheel and refer you to:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_programming



and remember, Google is your friend!

Answer 5

Computers are totally obedient morons. They do exactly as they are told.

The programs are the instructions, written in a language humans can understand fairly easily (such as C++) and converted into the binary (ones and zeros) language the computer can understand by translation or compiling software, that you don't get to see at work. The computer then does as it is told - at which point the programmer often wonders what's gone wrong!

If you look at the binary code, you won't probably understand it until you score at least 80 on your scale.

I started programming by writing that machine (binary) code, back when a silicon chip was a flint arrowhead. I can't recommend it as a quick and easy entry route!.

Answer 6

Steve Jobs was closer to a 0. He wasn't a programmer, just an opinionated business CEO. Steve Wozniak of Apple programming fame is a 100.



Software works like this: you input a command, the software asks the operating system (Windows, Macintosh, iOS, Android, Linux, or other) to complete your command through the code defined by set standards such as C++. Then, the operating system passes this information to the computer hardware through it's kernel to display or process what you've asked of it.



You're asking fairly broad questions of the "how" but the best option is to just do. Look into making your own simple program (it's common to practice by making your own calculator) to understand it better.



Best of luck to you.

Answer 7

This question is too broad to give a clear answer, so I'll just offer the following advice. If you are interested in programming, my suggestion is to buy a book on programming for beginners. Just something to get started and see if you like it. To get a better understanding of computers in general, you can look for books on computer science and operating systems, but it may be difficult to find beginner books on those topics.