Chapter 2. ANATOMY OF A PROGRAM

Before delving into the specifics of programming languages, this chapter attempts to explain what a program really is. A firm grasp of this chapter's material is a prerequisite for moving on to specific programming languages later in this book.

The highlights of this chapter include the following:

  • In spite of the wide availability of computer programs, many companies produce their own.

  • Perhaps the most difficult part of programming is breaking the problem into detailed steps the computer can follow.

  • Two kinds of programming errors exist: syntax and logic errors.

  • Top-down design enables a programming staff to keep the primary goal of the program in focus.

  • The more upfront design you do as a programmer, the faster you ...

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