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Programming Languages

This text explores the similarities and differences between programming and natural languages in terms of syntax, grammar, parts of speech, and semantics. It also discusses the importance of style in both languages and how programming languages are used to give instructions to computers and store data in logical ways.

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Programming Languages

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  1. Programming Languages V22.0002 Deena Engel’s class

  2. Programming languages and Natural Languages They both use: • syntax (e.g. punctuation) • grammar (“well formed sentences”) • parts of speech (reserved words) • semantics (meanings of variables, objects similar to pronouns)

  3. Natural Languages use: Syntax: punctuation and spacing Grammar: to create “well formed sentences” (e.g. subject-verb-object) Parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives Semantics: the meaning of the words and what they represent (e.g. in English, “cat” refers to a furry, four-pawed mammal in the Great Cats family)

  4. Programming Languages use: Syntax: punctuation such as parentheses, braces, brackets, semicolons, etc Grammar: well-formed structures such as “for loops” and others Parts of speech: different data types such as integers, characters, dates Semantics: the meaning of the symbols, e.g. x = 3; or the use of reserved words.

  5. Writing Steps in writing code in a programming language: Source code Compiler  Machine language

  6. Style • Style counts … in both kinds of languages! • In natural language … style distinguishes the type of writing e.g. the differences between a sonnet by Shakespeare and my weekly shopping list… • In a programming language, style is both important to make the program readable and in terms of efficiency

  7. How to use programming languages: • Natural languages: can be used to tell a story … and other purposes … as well as to give instructions. • Cookbooks and how-to books provide instructions in a natural language: “mix ½ cup of sugar into the butter” • The instructions might include decisions: “if these are chocolate chip cookies, add chocolate chips and shredded coconut ; otherwise just add shredded coconut”).

  8. Programming Languages... Give instructions to the computer! • A computer program is like a cookie recipe except that the computer follows the instructions!

  9. Programming Languages give instructions: • Any series of repeated instructions can be called an algorithm. In many cases, the programming language mirrors what you would do if you were doing the task manually: • Keeping a checkbook: order the amounts by the date of the check; if it’s a check, subtract the amount; if it’s a deposit, add the amount; then print the running total • Create an index for a textbook: read the text; discard extra words (“the”, “and”); list the important terms and their pages; write it up as an index

  10. Storing Data Programming languages are also used to track information in logical ways: For example, one can write a program to creating a database of names, addresses and telephone numbers. We will look at this means of expression as well.

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