The Basics of Programming

For many college students, and even some entry-level automation engineers, programming can be the stuff of nightmares. For the uninitiated, programming is cloaked in a shroud of mystery that only the brightest can peer behind. The media has reinforced this cliché with movies that feature super-genius programmers who are able to do complex calculus in their heads and write a million lines of code a second. However, this is a very fantastical and untrue cliché of what programming in the real world is. This false reality is also very damaging to up-and-coming programmers as it has painted an unrealistic view of the IT world that has discouraged many young developers. Programming doesn’t require a person to have any more intellect than any other field. What can be said, though, is that programming requires a bit more patience.

The key to a solid foundation in programming is understanding the basics of how programs work. No matter the language...