25 Terms All Programmers NEED To Know!

Summary

In this educational YouTube video, the host presents a curated list of 25 essential programming terms that every developer should be familiar with. The terms, ranging from 'API' to 'syntax', are explained in a concise manner to clarify common misunderstandings and incorrect usages. The video also features a sponsorship by Algo Expert, a platform for coding interview preparation, offering practice questions and resources to enhance coding skills. The host's aim is to provide a foundational understanding of programming concepts, with an invitation for viewers to request more advanced terms in future videos.

Takeaways

• 📘 The video introduces 25 essential programming terms that are often misused or confused.
• 🔍 The terms are selected for their commonality in causing confusion and their frequent incorrect usage, including the presenter's own past mistakes.
• 💻 'API' stands for Application Programming Interface and acts as a bridge between frontend and backend systems.
• 🛠️ 'Algorithm' is a procedure to solve problems, applicable beyond coding, such as in mathematics or content uploading.
• 📄 'Arguments' in programming refer to values passed to functions or methods, distinct from parameters which define the function's expected inputs.
• 🔄 'Continuous Integration' (CI) automates the merging of code from multiple contributors into a single software project after passing various tests.
• 💾 'CLI' is a Command Line Interface, a text-based interface for interacting with computer systems.
• 📝 'Compile Time' is when code is translated into a lower-level language, preparing it for execution by the CPU or an interpreter.
• 📌 'Constant' in programming is a value that remains unchanged throughout the execution of a program, often denoted by all capital letters.
• 📋 'Declaration' is a statement that defines a variable or function in the context of a program, establishing its purpose and scope.
• 🔍 'Expression' in programming, similar to mathematics, is a combination of values and operators that evaluates to a single value.
• 🏗️ 'Framework' provides a foundational platform for developing software applications, including libraries, compilers, and tools for common tasks.

Q & A

What does the acronym 'API' stand for and what is its purpose?

API stands for Application Programming Interface. It is a set of tools, protocols, and procedures that allow you to write software. It acts as a 'glue' between a front end and a back end, enabling the front end to call or use an API to fetch specific data or perform other operations.

Can you explain what an 'algorithm' is and how it is used outside of coding?

An algorithm is a set of steps or a procedure that you follow to solve a problem. It is not limited to coding; algorithms can be written to solve mathematical problems, to upload a video to YouTube, or for various other tasks. The term is general and can be applied in many contexts beyond just programming.

What is the difference between an 'argument' and a 'parameter' in programming?

An 'argument' is a value that you pass to a function or method when calling it, whereas a 'parameter' is the name of the value that the function or method accepts. So, when you define a function, the names of the values you expect to receive are parameters, and the actual values you pass when calling the function are arguments.

What is 'continuous integration' (CI) and why is it important?

Continuous Integration (CI) refers to the practice of merging code from multiple contributors into one large software project frequently. It ensures that new code integrations do not break the existing project by automating tests and checks, preventing problematic code from being merged into the main branch.

What is a 'command line interface' (CLI) and how does it interact with a computer?

A Command Line Interface (CLI) is a program that runs on your computer, allowing you to modify files, navigate directories, and execute programs by typing commands. Examples include terminal on Unix-based systems or command prompt on Windows.

How is 'compile time' different from 'runtime' in the context of programming?

Compile time is when your code is being translated into a lower-level language that can be executed by the CPU or an interpreter. Runtime is the time during which your code is actually being executed after it has been compiled. Errors that occur during runtime are not detected by the compiler and happen during the execution of the program.

What is a 'constant' in programming and why is it used?

A constant is a value in your program that should never change during the execution of the code. It is used to define a value that can be referenced in multiple places in your code, allowing you to change the value in one place and have it updated everywhere it is used.

What is a 'declaration' in programming, and how does it relate to variables and functions?

A declaration is a statement that defines what a variable or a specific name means in the context of your program. It is used to define the existence and type of a variable or function. For example, when you declare a function, you specify its name and the types of parameters it accepts.

What is the role of a 'framework' in software development?

A framework is a platform used for developing software applications. It typically contains code libraries, compilers, hooks, and functionality for solving common problems, providing a structured environment to facilitate the development process.

How does a 'high-level language' differ from a 'low-level language'?

A high-level language is a programming language that is close to English and easily understood by humans, such as Python, JavaScript, or Java. A low-level language is closer to the computer hardware and is not easily understood or read by humans, such as assembly or machine code.

What is an 'object' in object-oriented programming, and what does it consist of?

An object in object-oriented programming is a collection of data and behavior, consisting of attributes (data) and methods (behavior). Objects are instances of classes, and their behavior and attributes are defined by the class from which they are created.