COM 102: Fundamentals of Programming

Programming

Writing precise instructions that tell a computer or device exactly what to do

Programming language

A formal set of rules (syntax and semantics) used to write instructions for computers

Syntax

The rules for how symbols/words must be arranged to form valid instructions (like grammar)

Semantics

The meaning behind those instructions (what they actually do)

Machine language

The lowest-level language, made entirely of binary (0s and 1s), directly executable by the CPU with no translation

Binary code

Sequences of 0s and 1s that represent data/instructions at the most basic computer level

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The computer's "brain" that directly executes machine language instructions

Instruction set (e.g., ARM, x86)

The specific collection of commands a particular CPU architecture understands

Assembly language

A more human-readable form of machine code that uses mnemonics instead of raw binary

Mnemonic

A short, symbolic name representing a machine instruction (e.g., ADD, MOV)

Hardware-specific

Tied to a particular computer architecture; won't work the same way across different hardware

High-level language

A language with readable, human-like syntax (e.g., Python, Java, C, C++) that abstracts away hardware details

Abstraction

Hiding complex underlying details so the user/programmer can focus on logic instead of low-level mechanics

Compiled

Translated entirely into machine code before the program runs

Interpreted

Translated and executed line-by-line while the program runs

Low-level language

A language (machine or assembly) offering minimal abstraction and requiring detailed hardware control

Portability

The ability of code to run across different systems/devices without major changes

Programming paradigm

A style or philosophy for structuring and organizing code

Procedural paradigm

A paradigm focused on step-by-step instructions (e.g., C, Pascal)

Object-oriented paradigm

A paradigm that organizes code into reusable "objects" bundling data and behavior (e.g., Java, C++, Python)

Functional paradigm

A paradigm emphasizing pure functions and immutability (e.g., Haskell, Scala)

Pure function

A function that always produces the same output for the same input, with no side effects

Immutability

Data that cannot be changed once created

Scripting paradigm

A paradigm for automating tasks, often interpreted rather than compiled (e.g., Python, JavaScript)

Variable

A symbolic name/identifier that points to a value stored in memory

Identifier

Another term for the name given to a variable

Memory reference

The idea that a variable stores a pointer to where data lives in memory, not the data itself

Dynamic typing

A system (used by Python) where variable types are automatically inferred from the assigned value, not declared upfront

Naming rules

The strict requirements a variable name must follow to be valid in Python

Reserved keywords

Words Python has set aside for its own syntax (e.g., if, for, while, class, def) that can't be used as variable names

Snake case

A naming convention using lowercase words separated by underscores (e.g., total_amount)

Camel case

A naming convention where the first word is lowercase and each subsequent word is capitalized (e.g., studentAge)

Pascal case

A naming convention where every word is capitalized, typically used for class names (e.g., TotalAmount)

Declaration

Formally announcing a variable before use (not required in Python)

Initialization

Assigning a value to a variable for the first time

Assignment

The act of giving a variable a value using =

Data type

The category of data a variable holds (e.g., integer, float, string, boolean)

Integer (int)

A whole number, positive or negative, without a decimal point

Float (float)

A number that includes a decimal point

String (str)

A sequence of characters enclosed in quotes (text)

Boolean (bool)

A value representing only True or False

List

An ordered, changeable collection of items (e.g., ["apple", "banana", "cherry"])

Dictionary

A collection of labeled key-value pairs (e.g., {"name": "Bob", "age": 25})

Tuple

An ordered, fixed (unchangeable) collection of values (e.g., (10, 20))