Part 1 Programming basics

Word list:

Read the text and explain the essence of the term “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 algorithms. 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 rules 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.

Exercises to the subject:

I. Read the text again and answer the following 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?

II. Find in the text English equivalents to the following word combinations: сукупність закодованих команд; суть комп’ютерного програмування; кодування за допомогою алгоритму; формули, рівняння, обчислення; обробити особливим чином; перелік команд; необхідна послідовність; захищати від помилок; складати план логічної послідовності; загальноприйнята методика; логічна послідовність виконання програми; побудова блок-схеми; наочне уявлення; наперед задані символи; шаблон; псевдопрограма; без витрат; виділяти принцип низхідної обробки; витрачати менше часу; логічна схема виконання операцій в циклі; необхідна послідовність операцій.

III. Match terms in English with their Ukrainian equivalents given below:

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.

Програма в двійковому коді; прикладна програма; (не) сумісна програма; безкоштовна програма; програма налагодження; сторожова програма; дистанційна програма; програма моделювання; сервісна програма; допоміжна програма; програма для доступу (до даних); програма, що заархівує; програма, що працює з базою даних; навчальна програма; програма, яка виконується з великою швидкістю; універсальна програма; програма, яка виконується в захищеному режимі; програма обробки даних; програма операційної системи (системна програма); програма, яка виконується; мережева /немережева програма; програма, що самозавантажується; поширена (така, що часто виконується) програма; програма управління; програма виявлення вірусів.

IV. Complete the definitions with the following words and phrases:

the various parts of the program; may occur in program; language; binary numbers; a given problem

1. algorithm: The step by step specification of how to reach the solution to …

2. flowchart: A diagram representing the logical sequence between …

3. coding: The translation of the logical steps into a programming…

4. machine code: The basic instructions understood by computers. The processor operates on codes which consist of …

5. debugging: The techniques of detecting, diagnosing and correcting errors (or “bugs”) which…