Question

Discuss the basic elements of a computer program and how they are put together. (Hint: If you write a paper for class, the elements are words, sentences, paragraphs, and sections, and they are put together in a variety of ways. A program has a similar structure.)

Answer 1

Basic elements of programs:

program is composed of sequence of statements.

The statements are formed with words, operations, numerical values, symbols.

1. words may be Reserved words or keywords and user defined names

Keywords are defined by language designer for specific role . For example if, else, while ,for are keywords used to form control statements.

user defined words are Used to store values required in program while performing computations.

2. Numeric values : integers aand real values can be used.

3. operators: These are symbols or characters used to perform some mathematical operations like addition ,subtraction etc. we use symbols +,-,*,/,%,<,=,> etc.

4. strings: These are sequence of characters formed with letters and digits to store some values like names, user id’s, passwords etc.

5. special symbols: These are used to denote blocks,in expressions, punctuations etc. the symbols are semicolon,colons,commas,braces,parentheses etc.

By using all these 5 basic elements programs are formed.