Top 26 Programming Definitions and Terms for Developers (2024)
The first step in acquiring any new skill is to become familiar with the terminology before practicing.
Understanding basic programming definitions is essential to grasp the domain and learn how developers create stunning applications from a piece of code.
In this article, you will learn the essential programming definitions and terms to help you build a solid foundation for your coding journey.
Programming Definitions and Terms
Computer programming or software development (coding) is how developers create and design executable computer programs to accomplish a specific task.
Programming includes activities such as:
- algorithm design
As a programmer, you need to:
- have a clear understanding of the problem
- break it down into smaller, manageable tasks
- then write code to implement the solution
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Here's a list of some coding terminology you should know:
A computer program is a set of instructions designed to perform a specific task or function on a computer.
Some examples of computer programs are:
- Web browsers like Chrome or Firefox.
- Operating systems such as Windows or macOS.
- Development tools: Visual Studio Code.
- Games like Minecraft and Fortnite.
- Calculator Application
An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure or set of rules for solving a problem in programming.
For example, search engines like Google use algorithms to rank and retrieve information from extensive datasets.
Debugging is the process of finding and fixing errors or bugs in a program.
The debugging process includes the following steps:
- Run the program and observe any errors.
- Review the code and locate the problem.
- Inspect the values of variables.
- Modify the code to address the issue.
Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of rules, protocols, and tools for building software applications.
APIs define the interaction between different software components.
APIs can be used to integrate third-party services or data into your application, allowing you to use their functions without the need to build it from scratch.
A database is a structured data collection organized for efficient retrieval and manipulation by a computer program.
It is like a central repository of archiving data for easier access.
Databases use a database management system (DBMS) for easier data maintenance.
In programming languages, syntax defines the rules that control the formation of valid statements and expressions using a combination of symbols, keywords, and other elements.
It specifies the format and syntax of a programming language to ensure that the compiler or interpreter can understand it.
A keyword is a word with a specific meaning used to define a program's structure and logic.
It is a part of the syntax of a programming language.
A keyword has a reserved meaning in the language you can not redefine.
Some examples of keywords are if, else, while, for, float, class, and return.
Compilation is a process by which developers can convert source code that is readable by humans into machine-readable code that a computer can run.
The software used for compiling is called a compiler.
Compilation is an important step in the execution of many programming languages. Popular programming languages like C, C++, and Java undergo compilation before execution.
Git is a software used to track changes in source code during software development.
It is a distributed version control system that provides a full version history of the code.
Version control, also known as source control, is a system that manages changes to source code and tracks the history of those changes over time.
It allows multiple developers to work on the same codebase simultaneously while maintaining code quality.
Some popular version control solutions 