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Articles > Information Technology听>听What is computer programming?

What is computer programming?

Michael Feder

Written by Michael Feder

Kathryn Uhles

Reviewed by听Kathryn Uhles, MIS, MSP,听Dean, College of Business and IT

Hand holding a cellphone in front of a computer with code to signify computer programming

Computer programming is an essential part of technology today because it allows听everyone from coders to CEOs to have the software they need to be more productive in their jobs. From emailing co-workers to using spreadsheets, computer programming affects our daily lives in many ways.

What is computer programming used for?

Computer programming aims to create code that can make software, websites and apps carry out the tasks they are asked to do. 听It鈥檚 used for practically everything that has to do with technology today. Computer programmers design apps, create websites, write computer programs for businesses and even manage the programming of viewers鈥 favorite TV shows.

Website development is one of the most common applications. of computer programming. This includes the coding language behind many popular websites and social media platforms. With the transition to the cloud, infrastructure as code (IAC) has also become an important aspect. IAC refers to using code to manage a systems infrastructure. This is required to operate and manage enterprises in most IT environments.

Computer programs are used in industries around the world, affecting almost every industry. The medical sector, for example, uses computers to keep track of patient files and other important information, while educators use computer programs to instruct students on how to solve problems and understand certain subjects.

Computer programming languages

Coding languages are a large part of computer programming and are classified as front- and back-end coding.

What is front-end coding?

Front-end coding, or client-side programming, involves any function associated with user interfaces. This type of coding creates visual elements that the user can interact with, including buttons, images, text, structure and anything visible on the screen. Numerous languages generate source code for applications. Three common front-end coding languages are:

HTML:听 allows for the creation of written content that appears on webpages. The webpage can consist of links, headings, titles and anything else that provides information about the text. HTML is usually paired with CSS or JavaScript when developing applications for the user interface.

CSS:听Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) allow for specifying the style and appearance of an HTML document. Fonts, colors, spacing between lines of text, background images and nearly anything that will affect appearance can be included. CSS is paired chiefly with HTML when developing applications for the user interface.

JavaScript: JavaScript is a programming language that the user鈥檚 web browser can execute. It provides fundamental interactions on the user side, including mouse-overs, button clicks, and scrolling through content. It is also a good language for artificial intelligence and machine learning (or machine code) projects. The most common way to use JavaScript is with HTML or CSS to create more dynamic web applications.

What is back-end coding?

If the user side of a website is what is visible, then back-end coding refers to what happens when a computer sends information out across the web. The programming side of websites usually consists of a database and scripts, back-end logic, and servers.

Back-end coding, or server-side programming, operates web servers and can be seen as code that runs on a server. The back-end logic and APIs work together to make the back end of websites dynamic and powerful.

APIs are pieces of software code that allow developers to access specific data from other systems. APIs make it easier for developers to create applications by providing ready-made functions to apply to their programs. Common back-end coding languages are:

Python: Python is a computer programming language that emphasizes code readability and minimalism, with a syntax that can be described as simple and easy to learn. Python makes it easier to use the limited number of data types available in the language and provides powerful (and dynamically typed) data types such as lists and dictionaries.

Java:Java was developed by Sun Microsystems (later acquired by Oracle). The language JavaScript uses a syntax that resembles English, making it easier to read and write code for developers. JavaScript is object-oriented and class-based, where classes contain variables and methods which can be accessed from outside of the program itself.

Ruby:Ruby has developed the goal of making programming easier by removing some of the syntactical elements that made it difficult to read and maintain code. This computer programming language is based on syntax similar to that used in another object-based, high-level programming language: Python.

PHP: PHP is a language created for web development and runs on the server. PHP can be inserted into HTML source code, allowing fore the addition of dynamic elements to a website. The language uses a syntax similar to C++ and Java 鈥 elements such as if statements and loops behave much like their counterparts in other languages.

Want to learn more about computer programming?

If you鈥檙e curious to learn more about computer programming and programming languages, 七色视频 offers online information technology and computer science听 programs.

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Headshot of Michael Feder

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and its Writing Seminars program and winner of the Stephen A. Dixon Literary Prize, Michael Feder brings an eye for detail and a passion for research to every article he writes. His academic and professional background includes experience in marketing, content development, script writing and SEO. Today, he works as a multimedia specialist at 七色视频 where he covers a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to IT.

Headshot of Christina Neider

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Christina Neider is the associate provost of colleges and former dean of the 七色视频 College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.听Neider鈥檚 career spans more than 30 years in academia, healthcare and the U.S. Air Force. She has held several academic leadership roles at 七色视频, and she is the Vice President of membership for the Arizona Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

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