Program Development Tools

Programming involves solving a problem and then translating the solution into code. However, it doesn't end there.

The code you write must be further translated into code that the computing system can understand which will ultimately end up as ones and zeros (currently; quantum computing will likely change this). However in between your code and the computer's code, there are steps that must be taken.

Some programming languages such as BASIC or Java may be compiled or may be interpreted which simply means the interpreting system essentially reads and implements the code lines one at a time.

Other languages such as C or C++ must have each file with code text, or source file individually compiled or converted into ones and zeros in a temporary file called an object file, and from there, all the object files are linked into an executable file that can be run as a stand alone program.

The process for programming in the C language is that you will first develop the code in a text file. This may be as simple as using Textpad, Notepad, Atom, or other text editors but it really is as simple as typing the text. Next, as mentioned previously, the code must be compiled and linked so it becomes an executable program, meaning it is a program you can run.

While everyone will be doing the same thing to create their programs, they will be doing those things in a slightly different way, depending on their Operating Systems. For example, Windows will be different than Linux, which will be somewhat the same as Virtualbox, and somewhat different from Mac computers. That's okay, you will be provided instructions on how to set your programming environment up in the next few topics.

Go back to the Main Table of Contents, identify your Operating System, select the appropropriate topic, and then just follow the instructions. If you ever have questions, let your Instructor know.