Computer programming

Computer programming (often referred to simply as programming or coding) is the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining the source code that makes up computer programs. This source code is typically written in a specific programming language, and can either modify existing code or be entirely new.

The goal of programming is to create software that performs specific tasks or exhibits desired behaviors—effectively tailoring the program to meet particular needs. This process demands a deep understanding of not only the chosen programming language but also the problem domain, algorithms, and formal logic.

Common programming languages include C, C++, C#, and Java. In contrast, scripting languages like Python, Perl, PHP, and Ruby are generally used for tasks such as automating repetitive actions or manipulating data. HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and XML (Extensible Markup Language) are also often mentioned in programming contexts, but they are markup languages, not programming languages, as they are primarily used to structure and display content rather than perform logic or computation.

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