What is Programming?

But before we start learning about the Python programming language, let's talk a little about what programming is.

So what do we mean when we talk about programming?

A problem to solve

Every program begins with a problem you want to solve. That problem could be as simple as needing to do some maths homework, or as complex as giving people around the world a way to talk to one another.

A solution to the problem

The solution to that problem is referred to as an algorithm (and we'll talk about that more in a few minutes).

The solution translated into a computer language

And finally, that solution is translated into a programming language, like Python, that the computer can understand.

That package of code that's run on a computer is called a program.