Introduction to programming languages

Programming language is a system of notation that uses special signs, keywords, symbols, and expressions to communicate with and by extension, instruct a computer.

Computer programs, as discussed in the previous part of this module, are sets of instructions passed to a computer to carry out a task.

To further understand programming languages, think about the natural languages like English, Russian, Spanish, and many more. The ability to speak English, Russian or Spanish help you communicate with someone in the United States, purchase something from a seller in Saint Petersburg, Russia, or study in Universitat de Barcelona, Spain as long as you can clearly communicate and understand them.

In the same manner, practical knowledge a programming language is a critical prerequisite for telling computers what to do and getting a desired response.

The computer is capable of doing a lot of things but only if you can clearly tell it what you need it to do.