Computer program

A computer program or software program (usually abbreviated to "a program") is a step-by-step list of instructions written for a particular computer architecture in a particular computer programming language. A layman equivalent example would be writing a step-by-step list of instructions in English instructing a human how to make a Peanut butter and jelly sandwich (the human being the specific architecture). More often than not, computer programs are compiled or assembled into non-human readable format. Executable uncompiled programs are referred to as scripts.

Programming

Creating a computer program is the iterative process of implementing new source code (or simply just "code") and testing, analyzing and refining the newly implemented code for syntax and semantic errors. One who practices this skill is referred to as a computer programmer. Since the evolution of computers is so rapid, the tasks of a computer programmer have become more diverse giving rise to different classes of computer programmers, each with a more specialized task. Two examples are a software developer and a systems architect. The lengthy process of computer programming is now referred to as "software development" or software engineering. The latter becoming more popular due to the increasing maturity of the discipline. (see Debate over who is a software engineer)

Related Topics:
Implementing - Source code - Syntax - Semantic - Programmer - Software developer - Systems architect - Software engineering - Debate over who is a software engineer

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Hence, a contemporary computer programmer can refer to a specialist in one area of computer programming or to the general mass of programmers working for a software company who implement the bulk of the code in large scale software. A group of programmers working for a software company maybe assigned a lead programmer and a project manager to oversee project development and deadlines. Large scale software usually undergoes a lengthy design phase by a system architect before actual development and cowboy coding is frowned upon.

Related Topics:
Software company - Lead programmer - Project manager - Cowboy coding

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Two other forms of modern day approaches are team programming where each member of the group has equal say in the development process except for one person who guides the group through discrepancies. These groups tend to be around 10 people to keep the group manageable. The second form is referred to as "peer programming" or pair programming.

Related Topics:
Team programming - Pair programming

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See Process and methodology for the different aspects of modern day computer programming.

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