Programs and Programming

  

 

What is the difference between programs and programming?

  1. Programming is a six-step problem-solving procedure of the program development process. (Another name for programming is software development.)
  2. A program is a list of instructions for the computer to follow to get a job done on the computer. (Another name for program instructions is software.)
  3. The formal definition of a program is: a list of instructions for the computer to follow to accomplish the task of processing data into information.
        DATA ==> DATA PROCESSING ==> INFORMATION

 

 

There are two basic types of program instructions written for the computer:

  1. Program instructions that do "end-user work" are referred to as applications software.
  2. Program instructions that control computer operations are referred to as systems software.
  3. Examples:
        Applications Software:  
                 Word Processing (Word 2000), 
                 Electronic Spreadsheets (EXCEL 2000)
        Systems Software: 
                 Windows 98

 

 

Application software can be prewritten or custom-made.

  1. Prewritten application software is also called packaged programs or off-the-shelf programs.
    1. Sold in computer stores and catalogs.
    2. Are ready to use when purchased.
    3. Do specific jobs such as word processing, spreadsheets, and database.
         
  2. A professional programmer writes custom-made application software.
    1. Meets the specifications of a particular job.
    2. The program development process is used in creating custom-made applications.
    3. Program instructions (software) can be made up of statements used in a programming language such as BASIC, C, or Java.

   

  

Repeat the six steps used in software development again in a more formal manner:

  1. Program Specification
    Determining the objectives, outputs, inputs and processing requirements.
      
  2. Program Design
    Creating a solution using algorithms, pseudocode, flowcharts or other logical structures.
      
  3. Program Code
    Writing the program, using a programming language.
       
  4. Program Test
    Testing the program and correcting syntax and logic errors.
       
  5. Program Documentation
    Writing a description of the purpose and process of the program.
       
  6. Program Maintenance
    Updating software to correct errors, improve usability, standardize, and adjust to organizational changes.

  

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