With the acceleration of digital transformation, programming languages have become more than just a skill, they have become an essential skill for modern people. With their different characteristics, programming languages allow us to develop problem-solving and creativity skills, which will be important in the future society.
Today, the world is abuzz with programming fever, from SW education to startups. As digital transformation continues to advance rapidly in various fields, the global interest in programming has never been greater. Governments, businesses, and educational institutions at all levels are emphasizing programming as a new essential competency, which is motivating people of all ages, from young students to adults, to learn. This interest has naturally led to increased curiosity among the general public about “programming languages. Even people who know nothing about programming have heard the name “C” at least once, and programming languages are no longer a foreign term.
Programming languages are important tools that allow computers and humans to communicate. Since computers can only understand information in a binary system of 0s and 1s, we need to translate the commands we want to give them into something they can understand, and that’s where programming languages come in. There are many different programming languages, such as JavaScript, Python, and C, each with their own characteristics and uses. Each programming language has a different syntax and structure, allowing developers to choose the right language for their project.
So what is programming, and what do programming languages do? To answer this question, we actually need to start by explaining the basic concepts of computer science. Computer science can be summarized as the mechanization of abstraction, and the starting point is the most basic building blocks inside a computer: wires and current. These wires have power connected to them, which causes current to flow and stop, and we process information based on that flow. We define a value of 1 when current is flowing and a value of 0 when it is not, and this is how digital information is created. You won’t find the numbers ‘1’ or ‘0’ written anywhere inside a computer, but we define the flow of current as an abstraction of information. Computer science has organized the parts and modules based on this information and developed a command structure that allows computers to understand and execute human commands.
Programming has evolved from these basic principles into increasingly complex and sophisticated instruction systems to solve a variety of problems. While early computers were designed to perform simple calculations or process data, modern computers can analyze vast amounts of data, run complex algorithms, and even learn on their own through artificial intelligence. These advances are due to the development of programming languages optimized for different purposes and characteristics, such as HTML and JavaScript for creating web pages, Python for AI, and C for systems programming.
Programming languages are the bridge between computers and humans, but just like human languages, they have different grammars and expressions. Python has a relatively simple syntax that makes it accessible to beginners, while languages like C++ have complex syntax and fine-grained control, making them ideal for advanced programming. As a developer, it’s important to understand the characteristics of each language and choose a language based on the purpose and environment of your project.
Programming is more than just writing code; it’s also about solving problems through logical thinking. Learning to program allows you to practice breaking down problems and creating solutions step-by-step. These logical thinking skills go beyond programming and help you solve a variety of everyday problems. Programming also teaches you to realize your ideas and express yourself creatively. The process of writing code and seeing it run and produce results gives you a sense of accomplishment and helps build your confidence as a developer.
As a result, programming has become an indispensable skill in the 21st century knowledge society. All the services and technologies we use in the digital world, as well as devices like smartphones, were created through programming. The better you are at communicating with computers, the more opportunities you’ll have to solve complex problems, and this technical understanding and application will continue to be in demand in the future. In the future, programming won’t just be a skill, it’ll be a fundamental part of the modern workforce.
