Course Title: INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

Course Code: CIT215

Module: 1
Unit 1: The Art of Computer Programming
● Types of Computer Programming
● Basic Principles of Programming
● Test of Knowledge

Component The Art of Computer Programming

Introduction It is a common knowledge that Computer is an electronic device for storing and processing of
information.
Introduction However, it is not going to be a useful device as an entity without a programming force driving
its operations.
Introduction Therefore, the programming of a computer device plays a very essential role in the usefulness
of a computer system.
Introduction Computer programs form the interface link between human users and the computer machinery.
Introduction

Introduction This unit will therefore take you through the fundamentals of computer programming.

Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
● Explain the major types of programming
● Discuss the fundamental principles of programming
● Identify computer programming with problem-solving process.

Definition of a A PROGRAM is a series of step-by-step instructions that provides a solution to a

particular problem
Computer Program
Definition of a It directs the computer on what to do exactly.
Computer Program
Definition of a Though a Computer program is a set of instructions, the statements of the instructions must be
submitted as a unit for a computer system to process, so as to direct the computer's behavior.
Computer Program
Definition of a There are generally two major types of programming:
1. System Programming
Computer Program
2. Application Programming
Definition of a What are the features of the two types of Computer programs ?
Computer Program
Definition of a Features of System Programs
Computer Program • System programs constitute the driving force behind 'internal operations of the
Computer System.
• They are specially designed to facilitate the use of the hardware,
• They make the Computer System function efficiently and run quickly.
• They handle the problems caused by human-operators.
• An example is the Super-Controller program called Operating System
Definition of a Basic features of an Operating System?
Computer Program • Operating System is a collection of system programs that jointly controls the
operations of a computer system and its resources.
• It helps to efficiently and reliably run other programs that manage your files.
• It handles the responsibilities of human operators that characterized early generation
computer operations.
• It prepares the I/O device to be used by other programs
• It also performs the loading of programs into memory
• There are two types of programs that make up the Operating System:

Definition of a Types of Operating System Programs:

Computer Program 1. Control Programs
2. Processing Programs
Definition of a Control Programs
Computer Program • They oversee the system operations skid
• They perform Input/output (I/O) tasks,
• They perform process scheduling tasks,
• They communicate with the Computer user or programmer
• They carry out the task of handling interrupts.

Definition of a Processing Programs

Computer Program • They facilitate efficient processing operations
• They simplify program preparation and execution for you as a user.
Definition of a The major processing programs existing in the OS are:
Computer Program • Language Translators
 • Linkage Editor
• Library Programs
• Utility Programs
Definition of a The Common Examples Of Personal Computers Operating Systems:
Computer Program • Disk Operating System (DOS) — Microsoft original OS.
• Microsoft Windows Operating Systems (Windows 95, 98. 2000)
• Microsoft Windows NT
• Microsoft Windows XP
• Unix
• Linux
• Novel Netware
Definition of a Features of Application Programs
Computer Program • They perform specific computational tasks or data processing to solve user's problems.

Definition of a There are different categories of application programs:

Computer Program • Word Processing Software
• Database Applications
• Electronic Spreadsheet applications
• Desktop Publishing applications
• Web Publishing Software

Basic Principles of • As earlier defined, that computer programs are designed to solve a specific problem
Programming through the execution of the program instructions.
• Computer does not solve problems the way humans do.
• computers solve problems according to instructions supplied by programmers.
• Every program has to be properly designed to accurately solve the problem it is
designed for.

Basic Principles of There are a number of qualities a good Computer program should have:
Programming • Reliability
• Maintainability
• Portability
• Readability
• Performance
• Memory Saving
Basic Principles of There are different stages involved in the development Computer programs:
Programming • Problem Definition
• Solution Design
• Program Coding or Writing
• Program Testing
• Program Documentation and Maintenance

Basic Principles of Problem Definition

Programming The programmer is expected to analyze the problem thoroughly in order to understand what is
required of its solution.

Basic Principles of Solution Design

Programming • The programmer take each segment of the problem definition to work out a tentative
program flow.
• There are two approach to the design of logic flow in the development of computer
programs:
1. General logic flow design can be done by using a Structure Chart which shows the
major elements of the program and their relationships to each other.
2. Detailed logic: This is to simply present the step-by-step operation of each block in
the structure chart.

Basic Principles of Program Coding or Writing

Programming • This involves the coding or writing of the solution design in a specific programming
language, especially High Level Languages (HLL), such as Basic, Pascal or C++,
• The definition and solution of a problem do not depend on a particular programming
language.
• However, most of the times, the proposed solution may limit the choices of languages
that can be employed.
Basic Principles of Program Testing
Programming • After the coding or writing of a program, it is submitted to the computer for testing.
• The testing process involves:
1. Debugging
2. Compiling
3. Testing (in stages)
Basic Principles of Debugging
Programming • Errors in the developed programs are usually called bugs
• and the processing of removing errors in your programs is called debugging.

Basic Principles of Compiling

• This involves the translation of the debugged program before the computer can execute
Programming
it.
• More so, the debugged programs can be translated using Interpreters
Basic Principles of Testing
• This is usually, for a large program that has been developed using modular method I,
Programming
• There are various stages of testing as follows
1. Unit Testing
2. Integration Testing
3. System Testing
4. User Testing
Basic Principles of • Unit Testing involves testing the separate components or modules as they are being
developed.
Programming
• Integration Testing involves testing the program as separate modules are put together.
Finally, on the part of the programmer,
• System Testing occurs when the whole program is being tested in its final form to be
ready for use.
Basic Principles of • However, there is also the usual need for the user's testing.
Programming • This is when the user of the program tests the final program to see whether it meets his
or her needs.
Basic Principles of Program Documentation
• This is the documentation of all the work involved in the program development.
Programming
• The documentation should consist of all written descriptions and explanations of the
program and other materials associated with the development.
• proper documentation serves as a reference guide for programmers and system analysts
who are to modify the programs and their procedures when the needs arise.
Basic Principles of Program Maintenance
• Maintenance includes any activity aimed at keeping programs in working condition,
Programming
error-free, and up to date.
CONCLUSION In this unit, you have been introduced to the two main types of programming, namely,
System programming and Application Programming. As you have learned in the unit,
system programming facilitates the use of the Computer hardware and the running of the
appli`cation programs. The application programs are simply those that solve the users'
 problems. The unit has equally taken you through the basic stages involved in programming
Further Readings Brightman, R. W. and Dimsdale, J. M., Using Computers in an Information Age, Delmar
Publishers Inc., 1986
Mandell, S. L., Computers and Data Processing, West Publishing Company, 1985.
Williams, B.K. and Sawyer, S. C., Using Information Technology, 4, Edition, McGraw-Hill,
2001