Definitions

1.2. Definitions#

Objectives

  • To learn the key terms used to comprehend programming.

1.2.1. Previous Terms#

  • Hardware: The physical components of a computing system.

  • Computer: A machine that stores and manipulates information under the control of a changeable program.

  • Program: A detailed set of instructions for a computer to execute.

  • Programming: The process of creating a computer program to solve a specific problem.

  • Programming Language: A notation used for writing computer programs, often referring to high-level languages like Python, Java, C++, etc.

  • High-level Language: A programming language that is readable by humans.

  • Low-level Language: A programming language with fewer abstractions than a high-level language, requiring more explicit instructions.

  • Machine Language: The actual CPU instructions for storing, accessing data from, or writing data into memory, as well as executing computations.

1.2.2. New Terms#

  • Syntax: A set of rules that specify the correct arrangement of operators and operands.

  • Operator: Symbols that perform specific mathematical or logical manipulations.

  • Operand: The value that an operator acts upon.

  • Expression: A combination of operators and operands that returns a value.

  • Statement: A single command in a programming language.

The syntax of a computer language consists of a set of rules that guide how you can combine operators and operands to form valid expressions.

1.2.3. Example#

3 + 4

7

In the above expression:

  • 3 is an operand.

  • + is an operator.

  • 4 is an operand.

  • The whole thing is called an expression.

The expression 3 + 4 is evaluated to 7. When an expression is evaluated, it produces a single value.

The operand can be a value or another expression.

2 - (3 / 5)

1.4

In the above expression:

  • 3 is an operand.

  • + is an operator.

  • (3 / 5) is an operand which itself is an expression, a legal arrangement of operands and an operator.

Expressions do not have to involve an operator.

212

212

The above line is consider both an expression and a value.

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