Basics of Programming

Introduction to Programming:

A program is a set of instructions written by programmer and given to computer system to perform specific task. 

A programmer write these instructions through the editors by using any programming language. When programmer executes program or instructions the input given by him get process with the help of processor and produce the output.  

Input ====> Process ====>  Output

The input is given through the input devices. The input data then processed with central processing unit(CPU). After processing the given data the desired output is displayed on output device. The input device, processing unit and output devices are  called computer system.

A computer system is an electronic device which consists hardware and software. The main software component of computer system is system software  and other are application software. A computer system is an an integrated set of electronic devices and software which are used to perform simple as well as complex mathematical and logical tasks. 

What is Software?

Software is a set of instructions or programs used to performs different types of tasks. Software is a logical code which refer to applications, scripts, and programs that are executed on computer system.

For example,

MS Office is a software which comes with different application programs such as MS Word is used for documents creation, MS Excel is used for spreadsheets, MS PowerPoint is used for presentation purpose etc. 

Types of Software / Software Categories :

There are three types of Software.

1. System Software

2. Application Software

3. Computer Programming Tools

4. Utility Software

1. System Software:

System software helps to the computer user, hardware and all application programs to run together. System software plays very important role for the proper functioning of computer system.

Operating system is the example of system software. Without operating system computer system i.e. hardware and application software cannot work. System software are used to start and run computer system like application software and networks.

2. Application Software:

Application software is a general purpose software which are used to perform specific task. For example, word, excel, browsers etc.

3. Computer Programming Tools  :

Compilers, linkers are system tools that are user to translate and combine program source code into machine understandable form i.e. binary form or executable form. 

4. Utility Software :

Utility software is a part of system software which are used to perform different tasks to keep computer running. For example security software and optimization software. Security software are antivirus software are used to scan the computer software, computer files and remove virus. Optimization programs can include tools like disk clean-up, system clean-up, disk defragmentation and file compression.

What is Hardware?

Computer hardware is a physical part or device of computer system such as input device – mouse, keyboard, 

output device – monitor, printer, 

processing device – central processing unit, 

memory devices – RAM, ROM, hard disk, 

Motherboard, graphic cards, sound cards, speakers etc. 

These are tangible components 

Different Between Hardware and Software

Hardware refers to physical parts of computer system such as monitor, CPU, mouse, RAM etc.

Software is set of instructions or programs which helps to the hardware to perform specific tasks. This is logical program code.

Hardware are manufactured where software are developed and engineered.

Hardware cannot perform any tasks without software. 

Software cannot be run without hardware.

If hardware damaged it can be replaced with new one.

If software have any problem it can be reinstalled by testing and upgrading it. It cannot be replaced by new one.