Absolute Beginner's Guide to Programming, Third Edition

Programs, Programs, Everywhere

Why aren't all the programs needed already written? Surf to any Internet software site or walk into any computer store today and you'll see hundreds of programs for sale. There are programs for everything: word processing, accounting, drawing, playing games, designing homes, and planning trip itineraries. It seems as if any program you could ever need is within reach. Because computers have been around for 50 years, you would think we'd be about done with all the programming anyone would need for a long time.

If all the programs needed were already written, you would not see the large listings of “Programmer Wanted” ads in today's newspapers. The fact is, the world is changing every day, and businesses and people ...