<p>"Programming is how you get computers to solve problems".</p><p>There are two key phrases here which are important:</p><ul><li><strong>You</strong>: without the programmer (you), the computer is useless. It does what <strong>you</strong> tell it to do.</li><li><strong>Solve problems</strong>: computers are tools. They are complex tools, admittedly, but they are not mysterious or magical: they exist to make tasks easier.</li></ul><p>Computer programs (or software) are what make computers work. Without software, modern computers are just complicated machines for turning electricity into heat. It’s software on your computer that runs your operating system, browser, email etc.</p>

What is programming?

<p>When you create a program for a computer, you give it a set of instructions, which it will run one at a time in order, precisely as given. If you told a computer to jump off a cliff, it would!</p><p><code>1. turn and face the cliff</code><br><code>2. walk towards the cliff</code><br><code>3. stop at the edge of the cliff</code><br><code>4. jump off the cliff</code></p><p>To stop computers constantly falling off cliffs, they can also make choices about what to do next</p>

Creating a program

<div>There are many different definitions of computer programming, but Martin O'Hanlon's is simple. Watch his video to find out the three basic structures.</div><video poster="https://view.vzaar.com/16849472/image" class="video-js video-js-video-player vjs-futurelearn-skinNOTUSED vjs-default-skin" controls="" playsinline="" crossorigin="anonymous" preload="none" data-hd-src="//view.vzaar.com/16849472/video/hd" data-sd-src="//view.vzaar.com/16849472/video" data-use-hd="false" data-duration="165"><source src="https://view.vzaar.com/16849472/adaptive.m3u8" type="application/x-mpegURL"><source src="https://view.vzaar.com/16849472/video" type="video/mp4"><track kind="subtitles" srclang="EN" src="https://ugc.futurelearn.com/uploads/files/41/22/4122787e-2bd6-4b28-84dc-11fc6b0252a5/Prog_101-1_4-Whatisprogramming.vtt" default=""></video><div dir="ltr">
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						There are countless definitions of what computer programming is, but the one I use is:</div><div dir="ltr">
<strong dir="ltr">“Programming is how <em dir="ltr">you</em> get computers to solve problems.”</strong>
</div><div>There are two key phrases here which are important:
</div><UL><LI><strong dir="ltr">You</strong>: without the programmer (you), the computer is useless. It does what <strong dir="ltr">you</strong> tell it to do.</LI><LI><strong dir="ltr">Solve problems</strong>: computers are tools. They are complex tools, admittedly, but they are not mysterious or magical: they exist to make tasks easier.</LI></UL><div>Computer programs (or software) are what make computers work. Without software, modern computers are just complicated machines for turning electricity into heat. It’s software on your computer that runs your operating system, browser, email, games, movie player – just about everything.
</div><div>Programming is a creative task: there is no right or wrong way to solve a problem, in the same way that there is no right or wrong way to paint a picture. There are choices to be made, and one way may seem better than another, but that doesn’t mean the other is wrong! With the right skills and experience, a programmer can craft software to solve an unlimited number of problems – from telling you when your next train will arrive to playing your favourite music. The possibilities are constrained only by your imagination. That’s why I love programming.
</div><img src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/rpf-futurelearn/programming-101-educators/Illustrations+and+animations/1.5-What-Is-Programming.gif" alt="An animated GIF of cartoon of a computer following instructions as text appears on the screen. 1. turn and face the cliff 2. walk towards the cliff 3. stop at the edge of the cliff 4. jump off the cliff" width="738" height="415"><div>When you create a program for a computer, you give it a set of instructions, which it will run one at a time in order, precisely as given. If you told a computer to jump off a cliff, it would!
</div><PRE><code dir="ltr">1. turn and face the cliff<br dir="ltr">2. walk towards the cliff<br dir="ltr">3. stop at the edge of the cliff<br dir="ltr">4. jump off the cliff<br dir="ltr"></code></PRE><h2>4.8</h2><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-4-half.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><div>272 Reviews</div><UL><LI><h4>Fantastic course for learners an...</h4><div>13 Sep, 2021</div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><p>Thoroughly enjoyed the pace and content of this course, I’d highly recommend it!</p><div>Joshua G.</div></LI><LI><h4>Python101: An Excellent Introduc...</h4><div>12 Sep, 2021</div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><div>The course is a good Introduction for beginners to Python. The material covered is explained clearly and with lots of examples. A step by step approach is taken so the ...</div><div>Linda D.</div></LI><LI><h4>Python intro course</h4><div>06 Sep, 2021</div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><p>A very good starter course for novices to python programming.</p><div>K T.</div></LI><LI><h4>Yes, it was a great course.</h4><div>29 Aug, 2021</div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><p>There were times where I had a little bit of trouble. I think having videos instead of articles help a lot more because it is more clear.</p><div>Omar A.</div></LI><LI><h4>Intro to Python for Educators</h4><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><p>Very easy and great course to follow along!</p><div>Rui G.</div></LI><LI><h4>Top class intro to Python</h4><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><div>Extremely well laid out, easy to follow, challenging useful quizzes and really good challenges at the end of each topic. Putting it all together in the last challenge really cemented ...</div><div>Jennifer B.</div></LI><LI><h4>5 Stars</h4><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><div>I find the course very interesting. All guidelines and intruction with samples are clear enough and can be easily follow. The content of the course can be use to educate ...</div><div>Luciano G.</div></LI><LI><h4>Excellent design structure by in...</h4><div>13 Sep, 2021</div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><p>Excellent design structure by instructor</p><div>Ambrose P.</div></LI><LI><h4>Fantastic course for learners an...</h4><div>13 Sep, 2021</div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><p>Thoroughly enjoyed the pace and content of this course, I’d highly recommend it!</p><div>Joshua G.</div></LI><LI><h4>Python101: An Excellent Introduc...</h4><div>12 Sep, 2021</div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><div>The course is a good Introduction for beginners to Python. The material covered is explained clearly and with lots of examples. A step by step approach is taken so the ...</div><div>Linda D.</div></LI><LI><h4>Python intro course</h4><div>06 Sep, 2021</div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><p>A very good starter course for novices to python programming.</p><div>K T.</div></LI><LI><h4>Yes, it was a great course.</h4><div>29 Aug, 2021</div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><p>There were times where I had a little bit of trouble. I think having videos instead of articles help a lot more because it is more clear.</p><div>Omar A.</div></LI><LI><h4>Intro to Python for Educators</h4><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><p>Very easy and great course to follow along!</p><div>Rui G.</div></LI><LI><h4>Top class intro to Python</h4><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><div>Extremely well laid out, easy to follow, challenging useful quizzes and really good challenges at the end of each topic. Putting it all together in the last challenge really cemented ...</div><div>Jennifer B.</div></LI><LI><h4>5 Stars</h4><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><div>I find the course very interesting. All guidelines and intruction with samples are clear enough and can be easily follow. The content of the course can be use to educate ...</div><div>Luciano G.</div></LI><LI><h4>Excellent design structure by in...</h4><div>13 Sep, 2021</div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png" alt=" " width="100" height="20"><p>Excellent design structure by instructor</p><div>Ambrose P.</div></LI></UL>

There are many different definitions of computer programming, but Martin O'Hanlon's is simple. Watch his video to find out the three basic structures.

productivity

Productivity

problemsolving

Problem Solving

computerscience

Computer Science

softwareengineering

Software Engineering

<ul><li><strong>You </strong>: without the programmer (you), the computer is useless. It does what <strong>you </strong>tell it to do. </li><li><strong>Solve problems </strong>: computers are tools. They are complex tools, admittedly, but they are not mysterious or magical: they exist to make tasks easier. </li> </ul>

<ul><li><h4>Fantastic course for learners an... </h4><div>13 Sep, 2021 </div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><p>Thoroughly enjoyed the pace and content of this course, I’d highly recommend it! </p><div>Joshua G. </div> </li><li><h4>Python101: An Excellent Introduc... </h4><div>12 Sep, 2021 </div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><div>The course is a good Introduction for beginners to Python. The material covered is explained clearly and with lots of examples. A step by step approach is taken so the ... </div><div>Linda D. </div> </li><li><h4>Python intro course </h4><div>06 Sep, 2021 </div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><p>A very good starter course for novices to python programming. </p><div>K T. </div> </li><li><h4>Yes, it was a great course. </h4><div>29 Aug, 2021 </div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><p>There were times where I had a little bit of trouble. I think having videos instead of articles help a lot more because it is more clear. </p><div>Omar A. </div> </li><li><h4>Intro to Python for Educators </h4><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><p>Very easy and great course to follow along! </p><div>Rui G. </div> </li><li><h4>Top class intro to Python </h4><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><div>Extremely well laid out, easy to follow, challenging useful quizzes and really good challenges at the end of each topic. Putting it all together in the last challenge really cemented ... </div><div>Jennifer B. </div> </li><li><h4>5 Stars </h4><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><div>I find the course very interesting. All guidelines and intruction with samples are clear enough and can be easily follow. The content of the course can be use to educate ... </div><div>Luciano G. </div> </li><li><h4>Excellent design structure by in... </h4><div>13 Sep, 2021 </div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><p>Excellent design structure by instructor </p><div>Ambrose P. </div> </li><li><h4>Fantastic course for learners an... </h4><div>13 Sep, 2021 </div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><p>Thoroughly enjoyed the pace and content of this course, I’d highly recommend it! </p><div>Joshua G. </div> </li><li><h4>Python101: An Excellent Introduc... </h4><div>12 Sep, 2021 </div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><div>The course is a good Introduction for beginners to Python. The material covered is explained clearly and with lots of examples. A step by step approach is taken so the ... </div><div>Linda D. </div> </li><li><h4>Python intro course </h4><div>06 Sep, 2021 </div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><p>A very good starter course for novices to python programming. </p><div>K T. </div> </li><li><h4>Yes, it was a great course. </h4><div>29 Aug, 2021 </div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><p>There were times where I had a little bit of trouble. I think having videos instead of articles help a lot more because it is more clear. </p><div>Omar A. </div> </li><li><h4>Intro to Python for Educators </h4><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><p>Very easy and great course to follow along! </p><div>Rui G. </div> </li><li><h4>Top class intro to Python </h4><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><div>Extremely well laid out, easy to follow, challenging useful quizzes and really good challenges at the end of each topic. Putting it all together in the last challenge really cemented ... </div><div>Jennifer B. </div> </li><li><h4>5 Stars </h4><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><div>I find the course very interesting. All guidelines and intruction with samples are clear enough and can be easily follow. The content of the course can be use to educate ... </div><div>Luciano G. </div> </li><li><h4>Excellent design structure by in... </h4><div>13 Sep, 2021 </div><img src="https://cdn-wordpress-info.futurelearn.com/info/wp-content/themes/futurelearn/resources/images/star-5.png"><p>Excellent design structure by instructor </p><div>Ambrose P. </div> </li> </ul>

What is programming?

What is programming?

Creating a program

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