Computer Programming

Programming is the process of preparing a set of coded in­structions which enables the computer to solve specific prob­lems or to perform specific functions. The essence of computer programming is the encoding of the program for the computer by means of algorythms. The thing is that any problem is ex­pressed in mathematical terms, it contains formulae, equations and calculations. But the computer cannot manipulate formu­lae, equations and calculations. Any problem must be specially processed for the computer to understand it, that is — coded or programmed.

The phase in which the system's computer programs are written is called the development phase. The programs are lists of instructions that will be followed by the control unit of the central processing unit (CPU). The instructions of the program must be complete and in the appropriate sequence, or else the wrong answers will result. To guard against these errors in logic and to document the program's logical approach, logic plans should be developed.

There are two common techniques for planning the logic of a program. The first technique is flowcharting. A flowchart is a plan in the form of a graphic or pictorial representation that uses predefined symbols to illustrate the program logic. It is, there­fore, a "picture" of the logical steps to be performed by the computer. Each of the predefined symbol shapes stands for a general operation. The symbol shape communicates the nature of the general operation, and the specifics are written within the symbol. A plastic or metal guide called a template is used to make drawing the symbols easier.

The second technique for planning program logic is called pseudocode. Pseudocode is an imitation of actual program in­structions. It allows a program-like structure without the bur­den of programming roles to follow. Pseudocode is less time-consuming for the professional programmer than is flowcharting. It also emphasizes a top-down approach to program structure.

Pseudocode has three basic structures: sequence, decision, and looping logic. With these three structures, any required logic can be expressed.

3 Answer these questions:

1. What is programming?

2. What is the essence of program­ming?

3. What should be done with the problem before process­ing by the computer?

4. What is a program?

5. What are instruc­tions?

6. What are the main techniques for planning the program logic?

7. What is a flowchart?

8. What is a template and what is it used for?

9. What do you understand by "pseudocode"?

10. What are the basic structures of pseudocode?

4 Find English equivalents in the text:

Совокупность закодированных команд; суть компьютер­ного программирования; кодирование посредством алгорит­ма; формулы, уравнения, вычисления; обработать особым образом; перечень команд; необходимая последователь­ность; защищать от ошибок; составлять план логической последовательности; общепринятая методика; логическая последовательность выполнения программы; построение блок-схемы; наглядное представление; заранее заданные символы; шаблон; псевдопрограмма; без издержек; выде­лять принцип нисходящей обработки; расходовать меньше времени; логическая схема выполнения операций в цикле; необходимая последовательность операций.

5 Choose Russian word combinations to their English equivalents:

Program: access program; application program; archived program; binary program; common program; compatible / in­compatible program; control / management program; database program; debugging program; educational / teaching / training program; free program; general-purpose program; high-perfor­mance program; off-line program; on-line program; operating (-system) program; processing program; protected-mode pro­gram; remote program; running program; self-loading program;

simulation program; support program; utility program; virus-detection program; watch-dog program.

Программа в двоичном коде; прикладная программа; (не) совместимая программа; бесплатная программа; про­грамма отладки; сторожевая программа; дистанционная программа; программа моделирования; сервисная про­грамма; вспомогательная программа; программа для дос­тупа (к данным); заархивированная программа; програм­ма, работающая с базой данных; обучающая программа; программа, выполняемая с большой скоростью; универ­сальная программа; программа, выполняемая в защищен­ном режиме; программа обработки данных; программа операционной системы (системная программа); выполня­емая программа; сетевая /несетевая программа; самоза­гружающаяся программа; часто используемая (распростра­ненная) программа; программа управления; программа обнаружения вирусов.