Programming

Computer programming is about instructing computers on what they should do next. There are several programming languages such as C, C++, Java, ASP.net, JavaScript,  Python, and SQL used by developers across the globe to write these instructions.

The demand for computer programmers is growing every year and candidates can choose this field as a career. In this post, we will understand the term programming, its importance, history, and future. We will also take a look at some of the best resources to learn computer programming.

What is Programming?

Programming refers to the process of designing and building an executable set of instructions to accomplish a specific task on a computer to get the desired result. It includes various tasks such as analysis, generating algorithms, determining their accuracy, and the implementation of algorithms in a chosen programming language. Testing, debugging, source code maintenance, and implementation of build systems are also a part of the programming process.

It is the process of performing a computation using an executable program. This process involves analysis, generating, profiling and implemeting algorithm that is simply known as coding. The end goal of computer programming is to create anything – from a web page or a piece of software to just a picture. Computer programming can be described as a mix of arts and science; it is technical and analytical, yet creative at the same time.

Why Do We Need Programming?

Programming is a fundamental skill that is required for the following reasons:

1. Finding a sequence of instructions to automate tasks that are time-consuming and repetitive to solve a problem.
2. Creating a set of computer instructions for performing operations and exhibiting expected behavior.
3. Improving efficiency since manual tasks can be completed using computer programming.
4. Building programs for different purposes using various programming languages.

Explore popular Programming Courses

What is A Programming Language?

A programming language is a computer language that is used by developers to instruct how a computer, application, or software program performs. It is written in any specific language to perform a specific task. Many programming languages are used to write computer programs. Below are the most in-demand of those languages −

1. Java: It is a high level, object oriented and general-purpose programming language. It is used for creating standalone, enterprise, mobile and web applications. Java code can run on any platform that supports this programming language without recompiling it.
2. Python: It is also a general purpose and high level language that comes with feature of code readability with significant indentation. It supports several programming paradigms.
3. C: It is a general purpose programming language with uses in device drivers, operating systems and protocol stacks. However, the use of C language is decreasing since it lacks efficiency. 
4. C++: It is a general purpose and high-level language that is used in many applications and software. It has object oriented and functional features along with low-level memory manipulation. 
5. Assembly Language: It is a low-level programming language that is in direct communication with the hardware of a computer. It has strong correpondence between machine code instructions of architecture and language instructions. This language is designed to be readable by human beings.
6. JavaScript: It is one of the core programming languages in the World Wide Web. It is a high-level and just-in-time compiled language that conforms to ECMAScript standards. This language comes with dynamic typing, first-class functions, and prototype-based object orientation.
7. PHP: It is an open-source general-purpose scripting language that is used by programmers for web development. It consists of HTML with embedded code.

Also Read: Why Learn Python? Reasons and Top Resources to Learn Python

History of Computer Programming Languages

The history of programming languages dates back to the early 1800s. Here’s a timeline of the history of programming languages that will help you understand how computer programming developed rapidly from machine codes to human-readable codes.

Year	Programming Language
1843	Ada Lovelace invents the first machine algorithm, developed for Charles Babbage’s Difference Machine. Many modern programming languages have their roots in the language.
1944-45	Konrad Zuse develops the first ‘real’ programming language known as Plankalkül (Plan Calculus).
1949	Use of Assembly Language in the Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC).
1949	John McCauley suggests Shortcode (or Short-order code), the first High-Level Language (HLL).
1952	Autocode was a term used for a family of programming languages. It was the first-ever compiled language to be implemented.
1957	John Backus creates FORmula TRANslation or FORTRAN.
1958	ALGOL (Algorithmic Language) was created by a joint committee of American and European computer scientists.
1959	COBOL was created by Dr. Grace Murray Hopper as a programming language that can run on all brands and types of computers.
1959	LISP was developed by John McCarthy of MIT.
1964	BASIC (Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) was created by John G. Kemeny and Thomas E. Kurtz at Dartmouth College to enable students who did not have a strong technical or mathematical understanding to use computers.
1970	Pascal was developed by Niklaus Wirth.
1972	Smalltalk was created by Alan Kay, Adele Goldberg, and Dan Ingalls at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center.
1972	C was developed by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs. It is considered to be the first high-level language.
1972	SQL was developed by Donald D. Chamberlin and Raymond F. Boyce at IBM.
1978	MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory) was developed by Cleve Moler.
1983	Objective-C was developed by Brad Cox and Tom Love.
1983	C++, an extension of the C language was created by Bjarne Stroustrup.
1987	Perl was created by Larry Wall as a scripting language.
1990	Haskell was developed by Haskell Brooks Curry.
1991	Python was created designed by Guido Van Rossum.
1991	Visual Basic was developed by Microsoft.
1993	R was designed by Ross Ihaka and Robert Gentleman at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. It is widely used for performing different types of data analysis.
1995	Sun Microsystems develops Java.
1995	Rasmus Lerdorf creates PHP. It is widely used to build websites and blogs.
1995	Ruby was developed by Yukihiro “Matz” Matsumoto.
1995	JavaScript was developed by Brendan Eich. Many famous websites use Javascript.
2000	C# was created by Microsoft to combine the computing ability of C++ with the simplicity of Visual Basic.
2003	Scala was developed by Martin Odersky. It is compatible with Java and is helpful in Android development.
2003	James Strachan and Bob McWhirter develop Groovy. It is derived from Java, easy to learn, and concise.
2009	Go was created by Google to overcome challenges that can occur in large software systems.
2014	Swift was designed by Apple to replace C, C++, and Objective-C. It is easier to use and versatile.

Applications of Programming

• Programming is used to create simple scripts that automate tasks, to complex applications that can handle data processing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
• Used in the development of apps, websites, and other multimedia, to give them the features and functions that users need and expect. 
• Used to develop software for robotic and automation systems, as well as hardware devices like security systems and medical equipment.
• Used in academic research, as part of more advanced experiments and simulations.

Why is Programming Important for Organizations?

Regardless of if the business is in the IT domain or not, if it has a website or app, programming knowledge is relevant. Here’s how programming benefits organizations:

1. Enhances productivity
2. Improves communication across the business
3. Improves business processes
4. Enhances informed decision making
5. Enables organizations to evaluate human resources effectively
6. Saves costs

Also Read: Python Vs Java – Which One is Better to Learn?

Which Industries Rely on Computer Programming?

1. Healthcare
2. Education
3. Finance and Insurance
4. Information Technology
5. Agriculture
6. Enterprise Software
7. Computer Security
8. Manufacturing
9. Marketing
10. Artificial Intelligence

Tools and Technologies for Programming

Tools/Technologies	Description
Python	Python is an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language. It's widely used for web development, scientific computing, writing automation scripts, artificial intelligence, and more.
Git	Git is an open-source version control system. It allows developers to track changes in their source code over time, and also makes collaboration easier by allowing different people to work on the same project at the same time.
Docker	Docker is a containerization platform that simplifies the development and deployment process. It enables developers to create, deploy, and run applications in containers without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.
SQL	SQL is a domain-specific language used for managing data held in relational databases. It allows developers to query, update, and manage databases in an efficient way.
Kubernetes	Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform used to manage and orchestrate Docker containers. It simplifies the deployment and management of containerized applications, providing scalability and reliability.
Excel	With Excel, you can perform a variety of tasks, such as creating pivot tables, adding data, performing calculations, and creating charts and graphs.Excel also offers powerful features like VBA scripting and macros to help you automate tasks.
LINUX	Linux is an open-source operating system that is widely used in the world of computing. It offers a wide variety of commands that can be used to control the system, customize its environment, and perform system maintenance.
AWS	Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud computing platform from Amazon that provides a wide range of services, including serverless computing, content delivery, data storage, and machine learning. AWS makes it easy for businesses to scale their operations quickly and efficiently.
Text editors	The most popular text editors include Notepad++, Sublime Text, and Atom. Integrated development environments (IDEs) are more powerful than text editors, as they provide features such as code compilation, debugging, and source control management. Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a popular IDE that features an easy-to-use interface and powerful debugging capabilities.

Programming Course Providers

Coursera	Simplilearn
edX	Microsoft
Great Learning	Udacity
Harvard University	NPTEL
Edureka	Google
OpenClassrooms	Internshala

Why Learn Programming?

Programming is an essential skill that can open up a range of exciting opportunities and possibilities. It allows you to create customized software that can do whatever you want it to do. Furthermore, programming provides a great way to exercise problem-solving and analytical thinking skills. With programming, you can create anything from a simple calculator to a sophisticated video game. Additionally, programming can help you develop creative and technical abilities that can be used in numerous professions and industries. Finally, if you are a business owner, understanding programming can help you create innovative and cost-saving solutions for your business.

Free Resources to Learn Programming

Here are the best resources for you to learn programming:

1.  freeCodeCamp

This is a free online website that teaches coding first through hands-on experience. You will learn programming by working on projects. The website offers free coding certifications in JavaScript, data visualization, Node.js, React, jQuery, and more.

2. Books

Programming books are a great resource to learn the syntax and semantics of different programming languages. Here are some programming books recommendations to help you become a better programmer.

1. Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship | By Robert C. Martin
2. The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey to Mastery | By Andrew Hunt and David Thomas
3. Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction | By Steve McConnell
4. The Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4 | By Donald E. Knuth
5. The Self-Taught Programmer: The Definitive Guide to Programming Professionally | By Cory Althoff
6. Learning JavaScript Design Patterns | By Addy Osmani

3. Online Programming Courses and Certifications

Online course platforms such as Coursera and edX are among the best places to learn to program. These websites have large online course libraries where lecturess are taught by university professors and industry experts.

Computer programming courses and certifications online help learners learn different programming languages easily. Through free programming courses, earners gain hands-on experience in writing code, testing programs, fixing bugs, and many other tasks that they will perform on the job.

Top Programming Courses and Certifications

1. Learn Python Programming From Scratch on Udemy
2. Programming in Java by NPTEL
3. Learn to Program: Crafting Quality Code on Coursera
4. An Introduction to Coding Theory by NPTEL
5. Java Programming: Principles of Software Design on Coursera
6. Programming for Everyone - An Introduction to Visual Programming Languages on edX
7. C# Programming for Unity Game Development Specialization on Coursera

Who Should Take Up A Programming Course or Certification?

Anyone can pursue an online course or certification in computer programming. The minimum degree requirement to pursue any such course is Bachelor’s but Postgraduate students from any field and any level can pursue basic level programming courses. Students can join advanced-level programming courses only after the completion of the basic certification.

Also Read: Most-Popular Programming Languages to Learn

Future of Programming

The world of technology is rapidly evolving. Nowadays almost every industry is adopting the latest technologies to improve their processes and ensure effective utilization of resources. To smoothly adapt to the technological shifts, companies look for expert professionals who understand and address the complexities of emerging technologies.

The advent of new technologies such as Machine Learning, IoT, Virtual Reality, and Robotics will further pave the way for a new kind of programming environment in the future. Languages such as R, Go, Kotlin, Python, Scala, C#, and TypeScript are touted as the programming languages of the future. Proficiency in these programming languages will enhance your technical abilities and open up more job opportunities.

Programming is one of the most respectable and high-paying fields. To be successful in this field, software developers and other computer-related professionals need to be familiar with current top programming languages.

Also Read: Most Popular Programming Languages for Data Science

How to Become a Programmer?

Step 1: Choose your specialization and path

Specializations fall into three categories.

• Front end development

These professionals design, build, and manage all customer-facing features of your website, including menus, color schemes, content, and interactivity. They are typically experts in CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.

• Backend development

A back-end developer focuses on the parts of her website that are invisible to visitors (also called server-side). This includes managing database interactions, site speed, and library creation. You should be proficient in programming languages ​​such as Java and Python.

• Full stack development

Full-stack developers have experience in both front-end and back-end development. They are creative, tech-savvy, and graphic-savvy. You should be proficient in programming languages ​​such as SQL, AngularJS, CSS, and Polymer.

 Step 2: Learn a programming language

The most common way to learn a programming language is with a computer science degree or certification. You can also learn programming languages ​​from online courses, bootcamps, and online courses. Wondering how a coding bootcamp is different from a bachelor's degree? The university's four-year program is designed to provide students with a theoretical and practical background in computer programming. Boot camps, on the other hand, are designed with more direct career goals in mind. These crash courses provide learners with the functional skills they need to find employment in months instead of years.

Step 3: Develop hard and soft skills

Good computer programmers have a talent for technical and soft skills. Strong communication, problem-solving and customization skills are required, as well as an understanding of data structures, source control and algorithms.

Step 4: Build your portfolio

A strong portfolio improves employability. Contribute to open source projects, leverage relevant university projects, or add your own curated work to showcase your skills. Contributing to open source projects is another great way to grow your programming portfolio. Joining an open source platform (Github is a favorite place for newbies) gives you the opportunity to connect with developers working on the kinds of projects you're interested in.

Step 5: Connect with others in your industry

Once you've identified your area of ​​expertise, seek advice from industry experts and experienced programmers, or find a mentor.

Step 6: Find an Internship

A technical internship is a great way to expand your skill set and become an accomplished computer programmer.

Conclusion

Programming is everywhere around us in the modern world. From the household appliances like vacuum cleaners to bar-code scanners at the grocery store, programming affects your everyday life. It has become an important part of our lives. It is essential to have an understanding of what programming is, especially for those in the IT industry.

Whether you aspire to build a mobile app or program a robot, programming is a valuable skill that will take you far in life. Enroll in an online Programming course today to prepare yourself for future success.

Following are the most popular Programming Colleges in India. Learn more about these Programming colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the most popular Programming courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in Programming.

Following are the most popular Programming UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Programming PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Programming Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Following are the top exams for Programming. Students interested in pursuing a career on Programming, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.