Computer programming is one of the fields under computer science.  While computer science refers to the study of computer applications, computer programming deals with the basics of a computer program - how it works, how it is designed, how it is fixed and why.  If you're planning to learn programming soon, here is an introduction to computer programming topics you're likely to encounter:

The basics of computer programming

Like most disciplines, you will begin by learning the fundamentals of computer programming.  Depending on your instructor or curriculum, you will probably be introduced to the history of programming and its languages and find out about what has occurred over the years through a timeline.

You will also be introduced to the basic concepts and theories of programming and how they have evolved over the years.  You'll be able to see how fast programming has progressed over the centuries and learn the significant developments in this field.  You will also encounter topics such as computer hardware, software, systems and language.  You will have to learn these basics in order to understand how your field of specialization can contribute.  This may seem too troublesome but really, you need to have a good background in the progress of programming to help give you a good grasp of its fundamentals. 

Computer software

The result of all your hard work is actually the computer software; so expect this topic to be included in your introductory course.  Some of the topics you'll find under this subject include application software, programming software and system software.  During classes dealing with these subjects, you'll learn how to use programming tools, database management systems, assemblers, debuggers, text and source code editors, and the like.

Programming

Finally, you will be introduced to the topic you've been raring to learn - programming.  Here you'll learn different types programming processes, styles and methods.  You will learn the different types of programming including concurrent, functional, declarative (event-driven), imperative, object-oriented and Parsing.

Probably the next topics you'll learn are the basic components of every computer program, such as the source code and the API or application-programming interface.  You'll also learn how instruction is carried out to command a computer to execute a particular set of directions.

You'll also learn programming languages, which will introduce you to the kind of language you have chosen to specialize in.  Your instructor might also present your class with a simple comparison of the different types of languages in use today and you'll also probably learn the types of languages that have lost favor or are already obsolete.  You'll learn semantics, dialects and theories.

This is also where you'll begin learning how to program or write codes.  Although your learning at this point will consist of lectures, a good part of your class will be spent working hands-on so you can begin practicing what the instructor has taught you.  This is how your progress as a computer programmer will be evaluated.

The process of programming

One of the earliest topics you will encounter when learning computer programming is the process with which codes and computer languages are designed and produced.  The process of programming includes several steps, such as:

1. Definition of the problem.

2. Design or plan of the solution.

3. Design of the code to be used for the program.

4. Testing and evaluation of the program.

5. Documentation.

Debugging, testing and maintenance

Probably the final list of topics you'll learn, as your introduction to computer programming is application.  In these topics, you'll learn how to test the program you have written, spot and locate any errors and correct them. 

Computer programming is a phrase that is bandied about quite heavily, but only few people actually understand its implications. The process of computer programming itself is difficult to understand for people who are not in the computer science field. Computer programming makes use of a code or a language: this language can be placed into several lines of code that can be translated to mean different things once they are processed as a program. For instance, the software that you use to calculate your taxes, or the software that you employ to make your simple web page are all products of skilful computer programming. Behind these software programs are scripts and codes, and these scripts and codes can mean different things.

For many different programming languages, a function can be important and can therefore be a key concept to learn when someone is interested in software and computer programming. A function can also be termed as a subroutine, procedure, or sub-query. How is a function important? For instance, if a company or institution has a library of many different programs, these programs can therefore consist of millions upon millions of lines of a source code. In the interests of time and space, you would like to keep from duplicating a certain source code in many different places.

Why is duplication so undesirable? If a source code is duplicated in many different places, it is being needlessly copied, and it can spell Hell for the programmer and troubleshooter when things go wrong down the line. If the source code is actually erroneous, the programmer or troubleshooter will have to correct the code in all the different places that it appears. If the source code has to be updated or improved in order to make the program either run faster or perform more operations, then the source code has to be modified, improved, and updated in all the places that it appears. And if the source code has to be removed and replaced with a new source code, then it has to be erased and replaced with the new code in every single place that it appears.

This is indeed time-consuming, and it can lead to more errors because of all the human intervention that has to be done. On the other hand, if there are functions that are built to handle all the different programs, then only one or a few changes need to be made should there be errors, or should the source code have to be updated, modified, improved, or changed. You can think of the function as an umbrella: it covers all of many different programs beneath it, so that you do not have to cover each program individually.

Having a single source code serving, as the function is also advantageous when you have to introduce a new program that still makes use of that same source code. Because the source code is already available as an overall function or sub-program, you do not need to add the source code to the new program. You only need to find a way for the new program to interact with the source code itself.

These are only a few facts that you need to know about functions in computer programming. For more information, read up on the latest computer programs, how different programs can interact with each other using some umbrella or overall scripts, and how different programs can be improved when using functions.

Computer programming has its own language, and that's just the beginning of the software adventure. There are many different languages in computer programming, and all of them have their own purposes. In order to understand the importance of computer programming languages, knowing them, and tweaking them, one has to understand the importance of computer programming. Computer programming produces software packages, among other things, to meet our needs. We may need software for accounting, making photos bigger or smaller, or editing our home videos. Behind all these software packages are the computer programmers who use their individual languages in order to create the software.

One such computer programming language is the Beginner's All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, or BASIC. BASIC is actually composed of many different kinds of programming languages that are actually higher level than most other languages. This BASIC family of computer programming languages was first designed in the 1960's, and was originally made for non-science people to gain better access to computers. During that time, using a computer required that a person write customized software, a task that only mathematicians and scientists were equipped to do. The BASIC language was therefore a bridge for people of other professions to take advantage of the power of computers.

When the 1970's came, the BASIC language, whether in its original form or a variant of it, spread onto microcomputers; and by the 1980's, even home computers could be run in BASIC. Today, BASIC remains popular, as it serves as the basis for many of the more modern programming languages that have been developed in the wake of advanced operating systems and the Internet.

When it was originally conceived, BASIC was meant for beginners: it was a language that people could use easily, whether or not they were educated in mathematics and the sciences. The language also had to be a general purpose one, in that it had to serve many different needs, and not only those that mathematicians and scientists required. The root language of BASIC also had to allow for advanced features to be plugged on as experts grew more and more adept in it, and as the language found further use in many other fields. BASIC was also meant to be interactive, and was designed to show error messages that were clear and friendly; that is, these error messages had to completely explain what the problem was, which would hopefully allow the user to fix it faster and easier.

When it was first released, moreover, BASIC was free of charge, which allowed the language to spread much faster. Once the language spread much faster, it was also easy to modify it and correct errors. BASIC was also distributed to a few high schools in order to promote it faster. Thanks to this widespread use of the language, several software manufacturers soon implemented on several microcomputers, and BASIC.

Despite its success, BASIC has had its dissenters. For instance, some programmers find that its scripts do not show proper programming practices, and the language itself is too slow, or sometimes even too simple. Despite all these, however, BASIC has continued to thrive, succeed, and evolve, and has thus become a good tool to introduce beginner programmers to the concept of coding and computer programming.

These are only a few facts about the BASIC language. For more information on BASIC, read and do your own research through several key pages online, or using computer programming books.

Although New York City is more famous for its museums, parks, theaters and businesses, it is also a great location for schools offering computer-programming courses.  New York has always been pioneering in many ways and it offers plenty of opportunities for highly in-demand courses related to computer science.  Here are some resources that can help you look for computer programming courses in New York City:

New York University

NYU is a recognized leader in the field of education and is acknowledged as one of the top universities in the U.S.  It is an excellent institution for many fields of study in academia but it also has a solid curriculum offering courses in computer programming. 

To find out about the type of courses the school offers, go to their website (www.cs.nyu.edu) and look for their current course list.  The link will bring you to their computer science department page.  The course list will outline the courses offered for a particular semester so you will have an idea of which course to take. 

Computer-Schools

Computer-Schools.us is a website that lists schools anywhere in the United States.  The site lets you look for the physical locations of schools or if you prefer, you can search for schools offering online courses.  The site lists a good number of computer programming schools you can check out.  To look for courses, you can click on the links for more detailed information.

Education-Portal

Education-Portal.com is another website that lists schools in New York offering courses in computer programming.  You can click on the link to the schools to find more information about specific subjects and courses you might be interested in.  The site also offers information about schools offering computer-programming courses that lead to certification, perfect if you want to build a serious career in this field.

New York Institute of Technology

The NYIT in Old Westbury offers courses in computer programming.  You can check out their site (www.nyit.edu) or send an e-mail to inquire about admissions requirements at admissions@nyit.edu.

Future Kids

Future Kids is an excellent provider of courses in computer programming, especially for younger participants.  Some of their offerings include C/C++, HTML, XHTML, Visual Basic and Computer Graphics, among others.  If you want children to develop an early interest in a career involving computers, this is a good place to start.

Columbia University

Columbia University's Department of Computer Science is an excellent source for information about computer programming courses.  It also offers courses in related fields such as software engineering, networking and web development.

Berkeley College

Berkeley has a New York City campus, which offers some excellent courses in computer programming.  You can check out their site at www.berkeleycollege.edu or send them an e-mail at info@berkeleycollege.edu.  Other courses include web design, software engineering and networking.

Net Com Information Technology

Net Com Info has a wide range of choices for computer programming courses.  It is currently recognized as a top training center in New York.  It offers over 250 computer-related courses and about 40 certification programs.  The center is a partner to several IT companies and has key relationships with many large corporations.  It is also an authorized provider of training by companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Linux and Novell, among others. 

Net Com is one of the best places to obtain computer-programming courses in New York City.  If the type and quality of computer programming courses from this center does not attract you, its address will - it's located at the 7th floor of the Empire State Building.

Quick!  Can you tell me how to prepare a bowl of cereals with milk?  Too simple, right?  You can probably give me a series of no-brainer instructions that I can perform in less than a minute.  Now try telling a computer to do just that.  What began as a simple task has now become complicated.  It's not just a matter of dumping a cup of cereals in a bowl and pouring milk in.  With computers, it's so much more than that.  Sounds exciting?  It should be.  Because that's what you'll expect once you begin learning computer-programming fundamentals.

The basics

Computer programming is a whole new world of possibilities.  Believe it or not, programming actually began in the 1200s, when simple machines were designed to execute simple mechanical tasks.  It has grown both as an art and as a science since then, providing us with the technologies that have made many aspects of our lives easier and faster. 

Once you start learning computer programming, some of the basic stuff you'll encounter include:

The basic understanding of the discipline

You'll need a good background in the field in order for you to understand how it really works.  With a solid foundation built on knowing the basics of computer programming, it will be easier to comprehend its details, including procedures, steps and other instructions.

Understanding the types of programming

Essentially, there are two basic types of programming, each of which has its own uses and set of advantages and limitations.  Procedural programming, while older, is quite useful particularly because it is a much simpler way to tell a computer what to do.  It is also the heart and soul of many computer languages.  Basically, it's an input-output operation, where a user or programmer inputs a set of instructions and a computer reacts to it by executing those instructions.  Learning procedural programming helps new programmers understand elements such as sequence, selection and iteration.

The other type of programming is object-oriented, which is relatively newer.  This type of programming treats instructions as a set of objects, something that is more convenient in many of the programs that are in use today.  With object-oriented programming, you'll learn an object's properties, event handlers and methods. 

You'll learn both types of programming as part of a fundamental or basic course.  These will help you understand how to design codes that are easy for a computer to understand and effective enough to execute.  Using the cereal and milk analogy, for example, you will be able to write a code that will tell a computer how to pour the right amount of cereal into a bowl and how much milk to use, in that order.  And if you're truly good, you can even tell the computer what specific type of cereal and milk to use.

Understanding the nature of the code

Another important basic knowledge you must learn in programming is understanding codes.  While their functions are generally the same - that is, to power a computer program - codes differ in design and use depending on the language.  Codes are at the heart of a computer program and will be one of the basics you will learn in programming.

Learning problem solving

Much of your time as a first-time computer programmer will be spent poring over problems - how to create a source code for a desired end result, how to fix a bug, how to solve a glitch, how to put things together or in sequence so they work.  You'll learn how to look at a problem, break it down to its solvable components and come up with ways to solve it.

Thinking logically.

If you're not a fan of mathematics and logic, you'll be dismayed to know that many of the computer programming fundamentals you'll be learning will require you to think in numbers, figures and sequences.  However, these basics are easy to learn, provided you have the patience to follow the right steps.  Once you've trained your mind to think like this, you're well on your way to a great career as a computer programmer.

Computer programming requires some very intricate work.  This is the type of work that thrives on details and people who work in this field understand that the absence of even the minute elements can spell a huge difference in the overall result.  If a programmer fails to correct this problem, it can lead to errors down the line.  As a result, bugs will appear in the system and errors will emerge later on.  Programming is also taxing work, requiring hours upon hours of writing, testing and debugging.  This is why computer programming thrives on teamwork.  Without teamwork, a single computer program can take decades to complete.

Although one programmer has the necessary skills and knowledge to work competently on a problem or even create a program, he or she can only do so much.  Creating the source code for an operating system, for example, will require thousands of man-hours from a single programmer and most probably, he or she will only be halfway through.  There just isn't enough time for one or even two programmers to work effectively to produce a usable program.

Team profile

So what constitutes a team in computer programming?  The team leader, such as a systems analyst or senior programmer, usually heads a team.  The senior programmer is usually a person who has had years of training and experience behind him.  His task is to supervise the team, lead in brainstorming and problem solving sessions, delegate assignments, check the correctness of the coding, dispense advice and recommendations and lead in debugging and software maintenance. 

The team leader is the one who holds the team together and ensures there is a well-coordinated effort that will lead to the desired results.  All team members report to him and depending on the size of the project, the team leader may have an assistant or another leader to work with.

The team is usually composed of junior or entry level programmers, particularly those who may have the qualifications but not the number of years' worth of experience yet.  Depending on what the team leader wants, a junior programmer may be tasked to work on his own on much simpler assignments or he may be assigned as part of a group.  This group may consist of other entry-level programmers or more experienced professionals.

The members of a team are chosen based on their expertise.  At the beginning of a project, the team leader, along with other more senior programmers, will try to break down the problem into components, which will consist of tasks.  Tasks can vary according to complexity and function and will be assigned to a team who has the skills to complete them.

The number of programmers in a team can be as small as 3 or it can number in the dozens or even hundreds.  Again, it all depends on the size of the project and the availability of resources.

Teamwork is a necessary component of computer programming.  It helps pool a group's resources and form a coordinated effort in order to produce a particular program or software.  In some cases, such as in exceptionally huge projects, some teams may work alternately or in shifts, which makes it necessary that a team is capable of sustaining coordination among them.

Teamwork drives computer programming.  A vast majority of the computer programs and software we enjoy today - from the operating systems to the video games to the technology that run our phones - were produced not by a single programmer but by a team.  Whatever it is that has made using computers and other forms of technology that much easier and more convenient is something we owe to a team of well-trained and highly skilled computer programmers.

When it comes to computer programming vocabulary, there are so many terminologies that people who do not have enough know-how tend to become lost and confused.  One term could be translated into so many different names in different languages.  For example, the following words are quite similar: Functions, Programs, Subroutines, Procedures, Subprograms, or Sub queries.  The only question now is which of these terms could stand on their own. 

Theoretically speaking, computer programming avoids the duplication of any code in multiple spaces.  For example, one institution utilizing the programs could have some libraries of different thousands or even more programs with billions of basic code lines.  With such intricate case, duplication could still be avoided.  Let us say that an error message occurs because the collection now needs to have an additional ?member'. 

A good example is the addition of another global currency called the Euro.  If each and every program will be told to update itself because of this new addition, it could be complex.  But with sub-programs or functions specifically designed to handle diverse situations, then the only function that would take care of the change would be the one assigned to handle such a scenario.

In the same way that we write new programs, many of the components that it will need are already in existence (e.g. accessing a certain file to dig up a certain data, computing inventories on hand).  In cases such as this, a good alternative to writing different source code lines to work on the new function (and eventually replication of the code onto numerous other programs), the sub-program is accessed to work on the specified function.

In a handful of programming languages, there are certain parameters that are being passed from a specific program name to the program that is being called to do a task.  A secondary program usually makes the values altered and then the control is brought back to the main program.  These actions could be levels deeper.  The various programs that are being used to call each other are written in so many varying languages.  The reasons behind this are: to have a reasonable controllable function pieces and having various languages means being better able to suit different function types.

To further define the uses of programming functions, a function may appear in two different locations or even a single location.  This depends on whether it is multi-line or single-line function.  A function that is single line is one that gives back a value after performing tasks (all of this in a single line).  The multi-line function, however, is stretched on many different lines. 

A single line function could show in a code block all because it only responds when called by a certain name.  The multi-line function does otherwise.  If it is a multi-line function that is being defined in a block of code, then the statements that follow the definition are done in a non-sequential manner.

In its simplicity, functions are code blocks that can be reusable.  These code blocks often return single values (sometimes they don't').  Common examples of these code blocks are Mathematical functions (e.g. tan or log), date functions (figures between two dates), or string functions (looking for incidents of 1 string located within another string).  Functions are also kept separately from the primary program code.  A lot of programming language has specific functions, which are delegated as entry points to a certain program. 

Knowing what functions are in computer programming could take sometime to non-computer savvy individuals.  But the basics are all here.  Looking at the many complex things that functions do, you get to appreciate the things that the computer does for you each day, don't you?

There are different types and applications of computer programming. Computer programming is very essential anywhere there's a computer or a digital device. Programs are the primary requirement before a system or device could run. And in this digital age, they are required by almost all applications, including web-based ones.

Credit card computer programming is one of the most vital forms of programming these days. This is precisely what makes online banking and e-commerce possible. With these sets of programs, people can freely buy things over the Internet. And merchants can also get their earning easily from the issuing banks of the credit cards used to pay them.

The main requirement of credit card computer programming is security. These programs should be created with multiple layers of security so as to protect the interests of both the online seller and the buyer. Credit card programming requires a series of intricate commands and test runs just to avoid the loopholes in the programming.

Adequate security is also necessary so that identity theft and other illegal acts are not committed over the Internet. The main reason why identity theft is rampant over the Internet is because there are not sufficient security measures that both online sellers and buyers follow. It is really the task of credit card computer programmers to make indestructible security programs for their clients.

Identity theft is the act of stealing one's sensitive financial information such as credit card number, social security number, name, address, and age. All of these are required before an online transaction could push through. But because of the improving abilities of hackers and fraudulent individuals, they somehow manage to find ways on how squeeze out the information from unsuspecting victims. They don't run out of creative ways of enticing people to freely give out the information they need.

A website that uses a faulty credit card computer programming protocol is exposed to the risks associated with refunds, fines, and even legal costs. But more than that, the website's customers will be very irritated with their experience arising from the transaction with the website. Worse, they could even suspect that the website is part of a big scam operating in the underworld of the Internet. This is where things could get nasty with legal fees arising from suits filed by the affected consumers.

Therefore, it is very important for small and medium-scale Internet business owners to avail of credit card computer programming services only from reputable sources. For all they know, the program that they are using are created with a backdoor that only the programmers know about. If you can request for a customized programming complete with documentation and a legal contract, it is highly recommended that they avail of that.

But if that seems a little too expensive, they can definitely try one of the many third party payment processors in operation today. This is a good alternative to buying or creating a special software for your e-commerce website. Examples of a third party payment processor are PayPal, Google Checkout, FirePay, and others. These companies are offering the processing of payments in cash, checks, and credit cards. However, these companies charge a certain amount or a percentage of the payment received.

This deal should be just fine, because they normally assume all responsibility when it comes to the proper handling or credit card charge requests. And for them to do it right, they ensure their clients that they have a very complex credit card computer programming system in place.