What is a Programming Language?
As the term suggests, simply, programming language is just a language used for communication. We use English as our means of communication. This is actually a medium we use so that we can set a common understanding to other people. For us to be able to express ourselves in a proper manner, we use language. And at the same, we are being understood by those who also knew about language.
Now a programming language is what you will use to communicate to a computer, especially compilers (I might be able to tackle more about compilers later on). Since it is the only language a computer understands, for us to communicate to computers, we must learn this language. By doing so, we may be able to command the computer whatever we needed them to perform.
As of today, there are already a wide variety of programming languages. One of my favorite language is Visual Basic. There are also other languages such as C or C++, Java, and many more. These languages differ in syntax (or dialects plus accent). Of course, if you’re a Chinese, you won’t be able to communicate with a Japanese if you haven’t learned their language. It’s because the structure of their languages differ. It’s just the same with programming languages. How you write a Visual Basic code is different when writing a C++ code. But one thing’s for sure. No matter what language you use, can always come up to an application which may be able to perform lots of features and functions.
These applications (in the form of executables *.exe) are what we call as Programs. Remember these: Programmers, who are skilled in the field of computers, use a Programming Language. Now through the abilities of Programming Languages with the help of required corresponding compilers, they produce a final output which is a Program. The process of creating a program is what we call as Programming, or writing of source codes. If you have questions about these terms, just leave ‘em all here.
