Introduction to Computer Programming Programming involves writing the instructions to enable a computer to do a specific task. These instructions have to be written according to the rules of the particular programming language chosen for the task.
Principles of good Programming
The aim of computer programming is to transform a description of a user’s problem and an approach to its solution into form whereby it may be executed by a computer. The principles include: * Simplicity: The programmer language enables the programmer to state the computational solution to a specified problem in a notation which is both formal and human-intelligible. * Portability: The programming language is machine independent. Program can be written without prior knowledge of the machine on which they are run. Also, having run on one machine, they can be transported to run on other machines. * Accuracy: The program must do what it is supposed to do correctly and must meet the criteria laid down in its specification. * Reliability: The program must do what it is supposed to and never crash. * Efficiency: This is optimal utilization of resources. The program must use available storage space and other resources in such a way that the system speed is not wasted. * Usability: The program must be easy enough to use and be well documented. * Maintainability: The program must be easy to amend having good structuring and documentation. * Readability: The code of the Program must be well laid out and explained with comments. * Documentation: User manuals – consisting statements given about the entire program.