The First Step

What Is Programming

Before tackling Java programming, it is important to understand what programming
is and how it is used. People program to create software, which
can take many forms such as spreadsheet applications, Web applets, operating
systems or corporate transaction databases.


Software consists of a series of instructions that tells hardware (or another
piece of software) to perform one or more actions. The programming language
is the set of syntax used to create those instructions and the rules associated
with their usage.


Like other natural languages, programming languages allow for some freedom
and creativity in how a piece of software achieves its purpose. However,
unlike in spoken languages, programming must rigorously adhere to the
rules and constructs of the programming language to achieve precise results.
Machines cannot guess at meaning like humans can. Therefore, a good programmer
must be very good at taking a problem or an idea in real world
human terms, and abstracting it into the constructs provided by the programming
language.


Programming generally refers to the coding portion of software development.
Good software development, however, requires several other steps in addition
to coding.