Top 20 Programming Terms and Definitions for Beginners

Top 20 Programming Terms and Definitions for Beginners


Programming Terms

What is a Program ?
A computer program is a collection of instructions that can be executed by a computer to perform a specific task.

A computer program is usually written by a computer programmer in a programming language. like Python, PHP, Java etc.

An example of a program is Microsoft Word, which is a word processing application that enables users to create and edit documents.

Example : 
// Define a Function
function sum($num1, $num2) {
$result = $num1 + $num2;
echo 'Result is : '. $result;
}
// Call sum() function
sum(2, 3);   // output :  result is : 5

What is a Process?
A process is an execution of any specific program. It is considered an active entity that actions the purpose of the application. Multiple processes may be related to the same program.

For example : 
If you are double click on your Google Chrome browser icon on your PC or laptop, you start a process which will run the Google Chrome program. When you open another instance of Chrome, you are essentially creating a two process.

 Process vs  Program 
  • Process is an executing part of a program whereas a program is a group of ordered operations to achieve a programming goal.
  • The process has a shorter and minimal lifespan whereas program has a longer lifespan.
  • Process contains many resources like a memory address, disk, printer while Program needs memory space on the disk to store all instructions.
  • Process is a dynamic or active entity whereas Program is a passive or static entity.
What is Programming ?
Programming is the process of writing an algorithm into a sequence of computer instructions. Or you can simply say it is the process of writing programs.

 We generally transform the solution of a specific problem into computer language. It is the only way through which we can create our own programs and can execute them on a computer. Programming requires skill, logical thinking and lots of experience.

What is a Programmer ?
Programmers are the person who writes programs in a specific computer programming language. They are highly skilled, hard working, problem solvers. 

The world’s first programmer was Ada Lovelace. She was widely known for her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine (general-purpose mechanical computer).

What is Algorithm ?
An algorithm is a set of instructions or rules designed to solve a definite problem. The problem can be simple like adding two numbers or a complex one, such as converting a video file from one format to another

Example : Algorithm to add two numbers
Step 1. Start
Step 2. Declare variables num1 and num2.
Step 3: Read values num1 and num2.
Step 4 : Add num1 and num2 and result = num1 + num2
Step 5 : Stop 

What is Data ?
Data is a raw and unorganized fact that required to be processed to make it meaningful. Data can be simple at the same time unorganized unless it is organized. Generally, data comprises facts, observations, perceptions numbers, characters, symbols, image, etc.

Example : 25 
25 is a data because we don't know what is 25. 25 may be student roll number,  or house number of any person.

What is Information?
Information is a set of data which is processed in a meaningful way according to the given requirement. Information is processed, structured, or presented in a given context to make it meaningful and useful.

Information assigns meaning and improves the reliability of the data. It helps to ensure undesirability and reduces uncertainty.

Example : Roll number 25
Here 25 is an information because its clear that 25 is a roll number of a student.
so 25 may not be  house number of any person.

What is Exception? 
An exception (or exceptional event) is a problem that arises during the execution of a program. When an Exception occurs the normal flow of the program is disrupted and the program/Application terminates abnormally, which is not recommended, therefore, these exceptions are to be handled.

 Why an exception occurs?
An exception can occur for many different reasons. Following are some scenarios where an exception occurs.
  • A user has entered an invalid data.
  • A file that needs to be opened cannot be found.
  • A network connection has been lost in the middle of communications or the JVM has run out of memory.
Exceptions can be categorized into two types:
  • Checked exceptions
  • Unchecked exceptions
Checked exceptions
A checked exception is an exception that is checked (notified) by the compiler at compilation-time, these are also called as compile time exceptions. These exceptions cannot simply be ignored, the programmer should take care of (handle) these exceptions.

Unchecked exceptions
An unchecked exception is an exception that occurs at the time of execution. These are also called as Runtime Exceptions. These include programming bugs, such as logic errors or improper use of an API. Runtime exceptions are ignored at the time of compilation.

Unchecked exceptions come in two types:
  • Errors
  • Runtime exceptions

For example, if you have declared an array of size 5 in your program, and trying to call the 6th element of the array then an ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsExceptionexception occurs.

For example, if you use FileReader class in your program to read data from a file, if the file specified in its constructor doesn't exist, then a FileNotFoundException occurs, and the compiler prompts the programmer to handle the exception.

What is Errors?
Errors are also unchecked exception & the programmer is not required to do anything with these. In fact it is a bad idea to use a try-catch clause for Errors. Most often, recovery from an Error is not possible & the program should be allowed to terminate. Examples include OutOfMemoryError, StackOverflowError, etc.

Do note that although Errors are unchecked exceptions, we shouldn't try to deal with them, but it is ok to deal with RuntimeExceptions(also unchecked exceptions) in code. Checked exceptions should be handled by the code.

DEFECT
It can be simply defined as a variance between expected and actual. Defect is an error found AFTER the application goes into production. It commonly refers to several troubles with the software products, with its external behavior or with its internal features. In other words Defect is the difference between expected and actual result in the context of testing.  It is the deviation of the customer requirement.

Defect can be categorized into the following:
Wrong: When requirements are implemented not in the right way. This defect is a variance from the given specification. It is Wrong!

Missing:  A requirement of the customer that was not fulfilled. This is a variance from the specifications, an indication that a specification was not implemented, or a requirement of the customer was not noted correctly.

Extra: A requirement incorporated into the product that was not given by the end customer. This is always a variance from the specification, but may be an attribute desired by the user of the product. However, it is considered a defect because it’s a variance from the existing requirements.

ERROR: An error is a mistake, misconception, or misunderstanding on the part of a software developer. In the category of developer we include software engineers, programmers, analysts, and testers. For example, a developer may misunderstand a de-sign notation, or a programmer might type a variable name incorrectly – leads to an Error. It is the one which is generated because of wrong login, loop or due to syntax. Error normally arises in software; it leads to change the functionality of the program.

BUG: A bug is the result of a coding error. An Error found in the development environment before the product is shipped to the customer. A programming error that causes a program to work poorly, produce incorrect results or crash. An error in software or hardware that causes a program to malfunction. Bug is terminology of Tester.

FAILURE: A failure is the inability of a software system or component to perform its required functions within specified performance requirements. When a defect reaches the end customer it is called a Failure. During development Failures are usually observed by testers.

FAULT: An incorrect step, process or data definition in a computer program which causes the program to perform in an unintended or unanticipated manner. A fault is introduced into the software as the result of an error. It is an anomaly in the software that may cause it to behave incorrectly, and not according to its specification. It is the result of the error.

The software industry can still not agree on the definitions for all the above. In essence, if you use the term to mean one specific thing, it may not be understood to be that thing by your audience.

Front End and Back End
Frontend and Backend are the two most popular terms used in web development. These terms are very crucial for web development but are quite different from each other. Each side needs to communicate and operate effectively with the other as a single unit to improve the website’s functionality. 

The term “front-end” refers to the user interface, while “back-end” means the server, application and database that work behind the scenes to deliver information to the user.

Front end Languages: 
The front end portion is built by using some languages which are discussed below: 
  • HTML 
  • CSS
  • JavaScript
Front End Frameworks and Libraries: 
  • AngularJS
  • React.js
  • jQuery
  • SASS
  • Flutter
Back end Languages: 
The back end portion is built by using some languages which are discussed below: 
  • PHP
  • Python
  • Node.js: 
  • Java
  • C++
Back End Frameworks
The list of back-end frameworks are: Express, Django, Rails, Laravel, Spring, etc.
The other back-end program/scripting languages are C#, Ruby, REST, GO, etc.

Frontend VS Backend
 Frontend and backend development are quite different from each other, but still, they are two aspects of the same situation. The frontend is what users see and interact with and the backend is how everything works. 

Thanks for reading.

SKY Programming Solutions
sky programming solutions
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Sky Programming Solutions
Sky programming solutions
Er. S K Yadav

I have 2+ year experience in IT sector.

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